Respiratory care professionals help patients with breathing problems caused by chronic disorders or sudden events. They use diagnostic tools and therapeutic treatments to help patients breathe normally and work in various settings. To become a respiratory care professional, one must complete an associate degree and meet licensure requirements.
A respiratory care professional, also known as a respiratory therapist, helps people with breathing problems. The job description includes working with patients suffering from chronic breathing disorders such as asthma or bronchitis, as well as patients whose breathing disorders are caused by sudden events such as heart attacks or strokes. Respiratory care professionals use diagnostic tools and therapeutic treatments to help patients resume normal breathing. They guide physicians and work in a variety of settings, such as hospital emergency rooms and intensive care units, as well as in home settings monitoring life support or ventilation systems. To become a respiratory care professional, an individual must complete a minimum of an associate degree in respiratory therapy and meet licensure requirements.
The duties of a respiratory care professional involve a diagnostic process. These therapists run diagnostic tests and interview patients to determine the extent of their breathing problems. Their tests determine how much oxygen the patient’s blood contains. Lung capacity is also measured by asking patients to breathe into devices that indicate the amount of oxygen going in and out of the lungs. These diagnostic tests are intended to provide information to physicians prescribing a treatment plan.
Respiratory care professionals use a variety of methods to treat patients. When working with a patient with asthma, for example, the therapist will teach the patient how to use the prescribed inhaler to improve their breathing. If the patient is having difficulty breathing as a result of an emergency situation caused by a heart attack or shock, for example, the therapist can apply an oxygen mask to help with breathing. Some patients need the assistance of a ventilator. In this case, a respiratory care professional connects the patient to a ventilator by inserting a tube into the windpipe to increase the amount of oxygen entering the lungs.
Jobs for respiratory care professionals can be found in a variety of settings. Hospitals are the most common employers of these therapists. Emergency rooms, operating rooms, and intensive care units are areas of a hospital where the services of a respiratory care professional are often needed. Some respiratory therapists travel in emergency vehicles to provide immediate assistance to patients. Laboratories that work with patients with sleep disorders or heart conditions also hire respiratory care professionals.
To become a respiratory care professional, an individual must satisfy the requirements for the associate degree in respiratory therapy and, in most cases, complete licensure requirements. Many employers are looking for candidates who possess a bachelor’s degree or higher. If the therapist is working in a supervisory capacity, a master’s degree is typically required. Licensing requirements vary by state and generally require certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), passing successful exams, and other site-specific requirements.
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