Respiratory Therapist By: Sarah Grissom

What does a respiratory therapist do? Respiratory therapists have a single, yet critical focus: helping patients breathe. The body can’t function without oxygen, and breathing is how the body gets oxygen. Your job will be to help make that happen. You’ll assist physicians in lifesaving functions as you conduct diagnostic testing, administer treatments and monitor life support equipment. It’s an intense and highly sought- after field.

What do reparatory therapists wear?  Mostly scrubs

What are some tools they use? blood gas monitors or accessories — Blood gas kits; Blood gas machines Medical aerosol tents — Oxygen tents Medical oxygen masks or parts — Medical oxygen masks; Oral airways; Oxygen masks Nebulizers or accessories — Aerosol masks; Nebulizers; Small particle aerosol generators; Tracheotomy masks Spiro meters or its accessories or its supplies — Incentive Spiro meters; Pulmonary function testing PFT equipment; Wright's Spiro meters Technology used in this occupation: Electronic mail software — Microsoft Outlook Internet browser software — Netscape software Medical software — Electronic medical record EMR software Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel Word processing software — Microsoft Word

Where do they work? Mostly at hospitals Sometimes to patients houses

Education/Training No on-the-job training Need an associates degree Formal classes

Salary $54, per a year $26.10 per an hour

Qualification/Skills You need to be sensitive, caring, and confident math, computer and problem-solving skills

Duties of a Respiratory Therapist Maintaining and assembling respiratory equipment, transporting patients, updating charts and performing other clerical work. Becoming a respiratory assistant requires prior specialized training as well as formal education classes.

Growth expectancy It should experience a 22.6% rate of growth during this time period.

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Sources health.state.tn.us columbiastate.edu Coolchaser.com