Respiratory Therapy
A Life and Breath Career for You!
Careers in Allied Health
Diagnostic/Brief Encounter
• Nuclear Medicine Tech
• Medical Technologist
• Perfusionist
• Ultrasound Tech
• Radiography Tech
• Invasive Cardiology Tech
• Nurse Anesthetist
Extended Relationship
• Nursing
• Physician’s Assistant
• Respiratory Therapist
• Physical Therapist
• Occupational Therapist
What is Respiratory Therapy?
Respiratory therapists have an in-depth knowledge of
• Cardiopulmonary physiology and pathophysiology
• Patient assessment and cardiopulmonary diagnostics
• Pulmonary disease
• Advanced life support and critical care
• Pharmacology
• Biomedical engineering and technology
Respiratory therapists effectively
• Assess
• Educate and
• Treat patients with heart and lung problems
What Do
Respiratory Therapists Do?
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Develop implement and modify patient care plans
Apply patient driven protocols and clinical pathways
Implement asthma and COPD disease management programs
Perform therapeutic and diagnostic procedures
Evaluate patients’ home environments
Employ evidence-based clinical practice
Conduct freedom from nicotine programs/counselling
In Summary…
Respiratory Therapists work as physician
extenders to evaluate, treat, and care for
patients with lung and heart disorders.
What Breathing Disorders Do
Respiratory Therapists Treat?
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Asthma
Bronchitis
Emphysema
COPD
Cystic Fibrosis
Chest Trauma
Pneumonia
What Kinds of Patients Do
Respiratory Therapists Treat?
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Lung disease patients
Cardiac patients
Neuromuscular patients
Accident victims
Premature babies
Children
Adults
The elderly
Respiratory Therapists Perform
Patient Assessment
• Patient Interview
• Cough and sputum
• Breathlessness and wheezing
• Chest illness
• Smoking
• Occupational history
• Home environmental conditions
Respiratory Therapists Perform
Physical Assessment
• Physical Assessment
• General appearance
• Vital signs
• Chest inspection
• Breath sounds
• Percussion / palpation
• Bedside assessment of cardiopulmonary function
• Respiratory Care Plan Development & Implementation
Respiratory Therapists Perform Diagnostic
and Therapeutic Procedures
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Arterial blood gas analysis
Pulmonary function studies
Sleep studies
EKGs and cardiac tests
Sputum specimens
Stress and exercise testing
Gas therapy
Medication administration
Secretion management
Chest physiotherapy
Lung expansion therapy
Pulmonary rehabilitation
Where Do Respiratory Therapists
Work?
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Acute care hospitals
Diagnostic laboratories
Rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities
Patient’s homes
Patient transport services
Physician offices
Convalescent and retirement centers
Educational institutions, including colleges
and universities
• Government and industry
How Does the Job Market Look
for Respiratory Therapists?
• The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lists
Respiratory Therapy as among the fastest growing
professions.
• BLS projects a 28% increase in demand for
respiratory therapists for the period 2004-2014.
• Family Money Magazine lists Respiratory Therapy among
the top 50 careers for the 21st century (January/February
2000, p. 52)
How Does the Job Market Look
for Respiratory Therapists?
The need for RTs is growing due to:
– large increase in the elderly population
– environmental impact on diseases such as
asthma
– smoking and COPD
– technological advances in treatment of
cardiopulmonary disease
– advances in treatment of premature babies
– retirements
How Much Do
Respiratory Therapists Make?
• Salary varies with educational
degree and years of experience.
• Supervisors, clinical specialists, and
department managers tend to have
higher salaries.
• Median starting salaries for MU
graduate respiratory therapists =
currently $49,535.
• Sign-on incentives range from
$3,000 - $15,000.
My Aptitudes & Strengths?
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Critical Thinking
Interpersonal Relationship Skills
Dedication
Manual Dexterity
Accuracy
Focused Under Pressure
Integrity
Commitment to Life-Long Learning
Is Respiratory Therapy For Me?
• A career as a respiratory therapist can
provide:
– the ability to make a difference in peoples lives
– interesting and meaningful work
– a high tech and exciting career
– a people oriented profession
– the opportunity to become a respected member
of the health professions
• Imagine yourself helping Charlie Adams!
Charlie Adams – 55yo MVA
• Head and chest trauma ED admission
• Secure airway - intubate and ventilate
• Transfer to ICU
• Establish and manage mechanical ventilation
• Step-down unit
• Airway hygiene, aerosolized meds and O2 therapy
• Discharge to LTAC or home
What is Best About Practicing as a
Respiratory Therapist?
“Our work is very gratifying in that we serve people of all
ages who are greatly appreciative of what we do for them.
When they are having difficulty breathing, relief is what
primarily matters to them. We often work with our patients
from the time of their admission through to their discharge,
so we get to see the change that results from what we do
for them. When we go home at the end of the day we carry
a sense of satisfaction that is uncommon in many careers
because when we treat and manage our patients there is
immediate and measurable improvement. We are also
highly respected by physicians, nurses, and others with
whom we practice.”
How Do I Become a
Student Respiratory Therapist?
• BS Degree in Biology and
Respiratory Therapy
– Highly respected 4-year
program
– Option in the MU Biology
curriculum since 1982
– 16-month Professional Phase
– Post BS Option for you!
How Do I Apply to the Respiratory
Therapy Program?
1. Transfer & designate Bio/Resp major
2. Apply as a graduate - deadline –
March
– Transcripts
– Recommendations
– Visits
What Courses Do I Need
to Prepare for the
Program as a Graduate?
• Biology, Human A&P,
Chemistry, Microbiology,
Physics, Math, and
General Ed coursework .
• Students benefit from a
strong background in
Math and Science.
Is Respiratory Therapy For Me?
• A career as a respiratory therapist can
provide:
– a great job at a good salary
– job security
– the opportunity to help others
– recognition, respect, and appreciation
– a sense of accomplishment
• A rewarding career for life
Respiratory Therapists
Make a Difference
You can too!!!
Contact:
Website:
Email:
http://muweb.millersville.edu/~rtp
muprt@comcast.net
Millersville University
Program in Respiratory Therapy
P.O. Box 1002
Millersville, PA 17551
(717) 291-8457