Health Careers Spotlight:
Respiratory Therapist

Respiratory Therapists help people breathe more easily. Their patients, newborn through elderly, have cardiopulmonary (heart-lung) problems brought on by asthma, emphysema, pneumonia, cystic fibrosis and other conditions. Respiratory therapists test patients for breathing capacity and how well the lungs are absorbing oxygen into the blood.

To improve breathing, they treat patients with exercises and physiotherapy, by administering inhaled medications and, if necessary, by hooking up ventilators for patients who cannot breathe for themselves. Respiratory therapists are also educators, making sure patients and their families know how to maintain cardiopulmonary function and health.

Job Outlook: The job outlook for respiratory therapists is excellent. Job opportunities are expected to increase faster than average through 2016 because of the substantial growth in middle-aged and elderly populations. Employment opportunities are most favorable for respiratory therapists with cardiopulmonary care skills and experience working with newborn and infants.

Salary Notes: Salaries for respiratory therapists range from $40,840 to $56,160 per year. Respiratory therapists work in diagnostic laboratories, home health care agencies, hospitals, long-term care faciities, outpatient clinics, patient transport services, physician offices, private homes, rehabilitation centers and sleep centers.

Education, Licensing and Certification: Prospective respiratory therapists should emphasize math and science course work in high school. After high school, it normally takes two years to complete an associate degree and prepare for the national registry exam, which is required. It is possible to work as a Registered Respiratory Therapist while completing a bachelor's degree. More education can lead to higher levels of responsibility and higher salaries in the field.

Professional Organizations:

American Association for Respiratory Care  972-243-2272

National Board for Respiratory Care  913-895-4900

Vermont and New Hampshire Society for Respiratory Care

For more information on respiratory therapists or another health career in Vermont, please call 802-527-1474.

(updated 3/11/09)

Brian Baker is a Respiratory Therapist at Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington.

We interviewed Brian for the Fall 2003 version of The Convener to discuss his experiences working in the healthcare field.

Q How did you become interested in Respiratory Therapy?
A I observed this practice when I was a patient at FAHC and I have been working in respiratory therapy now for twenty-two years. I also considered a career in nursing but the health care providers that cared for me when I was a patient ultimately influenced my decision to become a respiratory therapist.

Q Could you describe the demands of your job?
A I am responsible for ventilator management in a very busy intensive care unit. I work both 8 and 12 hour days. It is sometimes very stressful working in medical emergencies in the intensive care unit or emergency room. In addition, I supervise respiratory therapy students from Champlain College.

Q What personal characteristics are desirable to be good at this job?
A You need the ability to deal with a stressful, fast-paced environment. You also need strong math, science, and time management skills. And because you work with a variety of people, co-workers, clients, patients, nurses, doctors, radiologist, and lab techs, you need to have good people skills.

Q What satisfaction and/or frustration do you get from your job?
A I really enjoy being part of a team that helps people. However, it’s frustrating that I’m not always able to spend as much time with a patient as I would like.

Q What is the salary range for a respiratory therapist at Fletcher Allen?
A The annual salary range at Fletcher Allen is from $33,000 to $50,000.

Q What high school classes should a student take to prepare for a career in Respiratory Therapy?
A Math and science courses.

Q Can a person specialize within the field of respiratory therapy?
A Yes. You can specialize in the areas of adult, neo-natal, pediatric, pulmonary or technology.

Q What advice would you give someone who is planning to enter this field?
A Take your studies very seriously and you should be OK.