You can live without food for weeks. You can live without water for days. But if you are deprived of air, you will die within minutes. In terms of life or death, breathing is your most important need.

Many people have trouble breathing. Because of a serious disease or accident, many people have impaired or non-functioning lungs. Respiratory Practitioners are the health care specialists who evaluate and treat patients with breathing disorders.

The need for Respiratory Care Practitioners is expected to grow above the national average for all job growth. As the number of elderly persons grow, the need for respiratory care will increase as well.

The respiratory care profession has a bright future with a great job outlook and opportunity for advancement. Once you enter the profession you can specialize in an area such as neonatal care, cardiopulmonary support, helicopter transport, critical care, education or management.

If you want to join this exciting field, you must be sensitive to those who have serious physical impairments. You must work well as a member of a team. The ability to pay close attention to detail, and follow instructions independently are prerequisites for practitioners. Since some of the work therapists do center on the equipment you use, you should have an interest in the mechanics of medical technology.

If you want to be a respected, essential member of a health care team who treats patients from newborns to the elderly, work with advanced technology and sustain lung and breathing activity, then consider Respiratory Care as a profession dedicated to saving and sustaining life!