Respiratory Therapists
Respiratory therapists handle assessment, treatment, and care for patients with breathing disorders. They assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care modalities, including the supervision of respiratory therapy technicians. They also initiate and conduct therapeutic procedures; maintain patient records and select, assemble, check, and operate the equipment.
An individual responsible for providing emergency care, such as artificial respiration, external cardiac massage, or assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation is held reliable for an advanced practice respiratory therapist salary. They will further monitor a patient's physiological responses to therapy, such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, or blood chemistry changes, and consult with a physician. Besides, setting up and operating devices, such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, or aerosol generators, and therapy information are all taught in certified respiratory therapist jobs.
Knowledge of providing customer services, information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities, principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects, individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods are the requirement for certified respiratory therapist jobs. The median advanced practice respiratory therapist salary is seven figures annually.
To be successful after completing respiratory therapist programs, you must have good & active listening skills, skills to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems, assessing the performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Qualifications
Every career requires an element of study and academic qualification, and there can be several study routes and pathways you can take. In following any academic pathway you will study subjects that contribute to the specialised knowledge required to achieve your career goals. These qualifications provide a future employer with the evidence that you have the desired knowledge, understanding and experience of their industry, so it’s important to consider the various types of qualifications available to you and to understand how they can boost your career and create opportunities for you.
- B.Sc. Respiratory Therapy
- M.Sc. Respiratory Care Technology
- M.Sc. Respiratory Therapy
- Diploma Respiratory Therapy
Tasks
- Set up and operate devices, such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, or aerosol generators, following specified parameters of treatment.
- Provide emergency care, such as artificial respiration, external cardiac massage, or assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
- Determine requirements for treatment, such as type, method and duration of therapy, precautions to be taken, or medication and dosages, compatible with physicians' orders.
- Monitor patient's physiological responses to therapy, such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, or blood chemistry changes, and consult with physician if adverse reactions occur.
- Read prescription, measure arterial blood gases, and review patient information to assess patient condition.
- Enforce safety rules and ensure careful adherence to physicians' orders.
- Maintain charts that contain patients' pertinent identification and therapy information.
- Inspect, clean, test, and maintain respiratory therapy equipment to ensure equipment is functioning safely and efficiently, ordering repairs when necessary.
- Educate patients and their families about their conditions and teach appropriate disease management techniques, such as breathing exercises or the use of medications or respiratory equipment.
- Explain treatment procedures to patients to gain cooperation and allay fears.
Progression Routes
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