4 helpful tips for becoming a respiratory therapist

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If you’re looking for a meaningful and rewarding career with the opportunity to enjoy job stability, flexibility, and an increasing income, you might want to consider becoming a respiratory therapist. And in this article, we’ll give you the lowdown on what that entails. 

What is a Respiratory Therapist?

Respiratory therapists are healthcare professionals who help patients suffering from any number of chronic respiratory diseases, including bronchitis, asthma, and emphysema. Other individuals who may need respiratory therapy include people who’ve had heart attacks and infants born prematurely. You’ll also find some respiratory therapists working in emergency care settings where they tend to patients who experienced shock and/or drowning. 

Career opportunities remain quite positive for respiratory therapists. We’re currently in the middle of a 19 percent boom in job growth and demand. The average salary clocks in just above $62,000 per year. 

In terms of education and qualifications, respiratory therapists must have at least an associate degree from an accredited program. (However, most have a bachelor’s degree and then go on to get a graduate degree.)

After graduating, respiratory therapist candidates are required to take a series of exams in order to earn the Registered Respiratory Therapist credential. 

4 Tips for Becoming a Respiratory Therapist

Few career paths offer as much opportunity and stability as a career in respiratory therapy. But if you want to excel in this area, you need a plan. Here are a few helpful tips:

• Choose the Right Education Track

There are a couple of different academic tracks you can take as you pursue a career as a respiratory therapist. You can either get an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree. And while they essentially offer the same starting wage rate, the latter option is ideal if you want to go to the managing level. 

It’s also wise to think about which school/program will prepare you the best to take the required exams and find a good job opportunity with the right hospital or healthcare facility. Do your research!

• Find the Right Job

It’s easy to think that all respiratory therapy jobs are created equal. And while it’s tempting to make location and pay the most important factors, you also have to consider the environment and the people you’ll be working with.