RESPIRATORY CARE

Respiratory care practitioners ( respiratory therapists) evaluate, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders.   They typically work with physicians, nurses, and other hetitleh care professionals in the areas of preventive care, treatment, management, and rehabilitation of people with lung and heart problems.   These hetitleh professionals treat all types of patients, ranging from premature infants whose lungs are not fully developed, to elderly people whose lungs are diseased.   Respiratory care practitioners also provide prescribed care and life support to patients with cardiopulmonary problems.   In addition, these workers provide temporary relief to patients with chronic asthma or emphysema, as well as emergency care to patients who are victims of a heart attack, stroke, drowning, or shock.  

The respiratory practitioner is knowledgeable about the problems requiring respiratory care and is trained to perform tests and treatments under a physician's supervision. He or she must also use independent judgment as to the appropriate techniques and treatments.   They assemble, operate and monitor devices such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems and aerosol generators.   In homecare, therapists teach patients and their families to use ventilators and other life support systems. Additionally, they visit several times a month to inspect and clean equipment and ensure its proper use and make emergency visits, if equipment problems arise.

Task:

• Sets up and operates devices, such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, and aerosol generators.
• Operates equipment to administer medicinal gases and aerosol drugs to patients following specified parameters of treatment.
• Reads prescription, measures arterial blood gases, and reviews patient information to assess patient condition.
• Monitors patient's physiological responses to therapy, such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, and blood chemistry changes.
• Performs pulmonary function and adjusts equipment to obtain optimum results to therapy.
• Inspects and tests respiratory therapy equipment to ensure equipment is functioning safely and efficiently.
• Determines requirements for treatment, such as type and duration of therapy, and medication and dosages.
• Determines most suitable method of administering inhalants, precautions to be observed, and potential modifications needed, compatible with physician's orders.
• Performs bronchia-pulmonary drainage and assists patient in performing breathing exercises.
• Consults with physician in event of adverse reactions.

Job Options:

• Respiratory critical care unit
• Respiratory therapy management
• Respiratory therapy educatio n
• Pediatric or neonatal respiratory care
• Pulmonary function testing
• Cardiac stress testing
• Bronchoscopy assisting
• Emergency respiratory care
• Respiratory therapy home care
• Pulmonary rehabilitation .
• Asthma educator
• Tobacco interventionist
• Polysomnographer

Education Required:
Formal training is necessary for entry to this field.   Individuals are required to complete either a two-year associate's degree or a four-year baccalaureate degree.

Certification/License:
Two credentials are awarded to respiratory therapists who satisfy the requirements: Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) and Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT).   Graduates from 2- and 4-year programs in respiratory care may take the CRT examination. CRTs who meet education and experience requirements can take two separate examinations, leading to the award of the RRT. Either the CRT or RRT examination is the standard in the States requiring licensure.

Skills Required:

• Be sensitive to patients' physical and psychological needs
• Pay attention to detail
• Follow instructions
• Work as part of a team in helping others
• Mechanical ability
• Manual dexterity.
• Work neatly and accurately
• Critical thinking
• Problem-solving
• Use of technical equipment
• Interpersonal communication
• Work quickly and remain calm under pressure

Industries and Organizations that employ respiratory care professionals:

• Hospitals
• Clinics
• Nursing homes
• Home care agencies
• Medical Sales (selling life-support technology and pharmacological agents)
• Preventive Education
• Educational facilities
• Research centers
• Private industry
• Special medical services.
• Government

Professional Associations:
American Association for Respiratory Care
11030 Ables Ln.
Dallas , TX 75229-4593 .
Phone (972) 243-2272
Fax (972) 484-2720, or (972) 484-6010
E-mail: info@aarc.org
http://www.aarc.org

Society of Critical Care Medicine
701 Lee Street, Suite 200
Des Plaines , Illinois 60016
Phone: (847) 827-6869
Fax: (847) 827-6886
Email: info@sccm.org
http://www.sccm.org/

Web sites that provide more information about the field of Respiratory Care:
http://www.lifespan.org/Post593/Career/RespTher.htm
http://www.nbrc.org/
http://www.coarc.com/

Information taken from the following web sites:
http://www.bls.gov/oco/
http://online.onetcenter.org/search

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