Career as a Respiratory Therapist Essay Example

Respiratory therapists, “RTs or Respiratory Care Practitioners (RCP)” for short, are a vital piece when it comes to patient care. RTs are on the front lines working in correlation with nurses and doctors. Respiratory therapists frequently are mistaken for nurses due to uniform RTs wearing scrubs and a stethoscope, just like nurses and other caretakers in the hospital. Still, they have very different roles in patient care. There are many educational and skill sets that a respiratory therapist will need to have. But RTs have an optimistic outlook on the future and job availability.

Educational requirements for a respiratory therapist are completing general education courses focusing on biology, microbiology, and anatomy after completing general education acceptance and completion of a Respiratory Care program accredited by the COARC (Commission of Accreditation for Respiratory Care). Whether Associates or Bachelors's degree requirements remain the same, these programs are all over the United state and can be completed in 2-4 years. After completing an accredited program, you must sit for your board and license exam. 

Respiratory therapists require various skills, not just the ability to perform medical procedures. RTs must learn to develop emotional skills like compassion, empathy, and the ability to detach morals and feelings and put what is best for the patient. More skills a respiratory therapist should acquire are critical thinking, quick thinking, assessment skill, and attention to detail. These skills are vital for any respiratory therapist.

After obtaining all other requirements needed for there are many great benefits that are included with being a RT.  Salary for an RT varies on specialty, state, and experience. The national average annual salary is $62,810, and let’s use Arkansas. For example, an RT would make around $55,480 annually. Another benefit is the outlook of jobs in respiratory the field is predicted to double in numbers due to the spotlight put on respiratory therapists on the frontlines fighting the current pandemic of COVID-19. In addition, the increase of cardiopulmonary diseases in the pediatric and geriatric community will call for an increase in the field of respiratory therapists and drive the demand even higher.