Respiratory Therapy – Career Learning Options

Completing higher education is required to become a respiratory therapist. Many colleges offer students several learning options. The treatment practices required to help an individual with breathing problems in any area is gained through educational study.

*The work of a respiratory therapist

Respiratory therapists work directly with patients to examine, treat, and care for any breathing problems that occur. The cardiopulmonary work conducted can range from treating infants to the elderly. Therapists work to correct or treat disorders from lungs that are not fully functioning to lungs that are diseased. Working with patients that have asthma or have suffered a stroke are regular parts of the job. Procedural testing is conducted on a patient's blood in order to evaluate the pH levels. Patients that need constant oxygen require mixtures that involve aerosol medicines in gas form. A therapist works to properly administer the correct medicine and dosage of oxygen. Other common areas of work include performing chest physiotherapy, which removes mucus build-up in the lungs. Working with patients so they understand how to use ventilators is done to help minimize medical visits for a patient. All of these activities and more are learned through a focused degree program.

*Education of a respiratory therapist

The most common entered education programs are at the associate's degree and bachelor's degree level. An associate's degree prepares students thoroughly to take the Certified Respiratory Therapist Exam. Learning how to solve problems quickly in stressful situations is possible through the overall study of diagnosing, controlling infection, educating a patient, and performing CPR. These techniques are taught to students by completing coursework in pharmacology, critical care, resuscitation, equipment use, and management topics. A pulmonary rehabilitation course teaches student to recognize the symptoms of disease. Four main areas are focused on, which include patient assessment, exercise, education, and psychosocial support. Students are able to find solutions based on their assessment of a patient. Curriculum focuses on respiratory anatomy, and terminology to prepare students to understand treatment procedures and how to work with a medical team to properly help a patient.

Education inside a bachelor's degree program trains students to be advanced respiratory therapists. This most often means that they are qualified for managerial positions where they oversee other therapists. Some students go into careers in specialized areas like neonatal care. Students will find that at the bachelor's level education is similar to a health care degree. The main focus shifts to mainly teach students about the cardiopulmonary system. Students work through a concentrated curriculum. Neonatal care, cardiopulmonary pathology, mechanical ventilation, anatomy, and respiratory care are courses that teach students in depth concepts specifically related to career work. A pediatric care course covers the procedures that are taken to use ventilators and adjust blood gasses for children. When students continue education at the master's degree level they can enter advanced clinical jobs or become teachers.

Students can find programs at numerous colleges within the medical department and begin training today. The skills needed to be a part of the field can only be gained when students enter an accredited respiratory therapy degree program. Full accreditation is provided by agencies like the Commission on Accreditation in Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) to schools and colleges that offer quality educational training.



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