Respiratory Therapy Careers

1. Respiratory Therapy Careers CTAE Resource Network Created by Caleb Allred and Dr. Frank Flanders 2010

2. Objectives MSHS7-HS-4: Students will differentiate careers available in the field of respiratory care. a. Compare and contrast the roles and responsibilities of pulmonologists, certified respiratory therapists, registered respiratory therapists, and pulmonary function technologists, along with their education and training requirements, salary ranges, job outlooks, and facilities in which they work.

3. Careers in Respiratory Healthcare • Pulmonologist • Respiratory Therapist • Pulmonary Function Technologist

4. Pulmonologist • Conducts tests on pulmonary and/or cardiovascular systems of patients for diagnostic purposes. • Conducts or assists in electrocardiograms, cardiac catheterizations, pulmonary function, lung capacity, and similar tests.  • Must possess specialized knowledge and skill in the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary (lung) conditions and diseases.

5. Where Do Pulmonologists Work? • Hospitals • Pediatric Centers • Alongside EMTs in Ambulances • Pulmonology Facilities • Sleep Study Centers

6. Pulmonologist Training Requirements • Graduation from an approved medical school. • Completion of an ACGME (American Council for Graduate Medical Education) accredited internal medicine residency program. • Minimum of 2 years of meaningful patient contact and responsibility. • Minimum of 2 years of full-time graduate training in pulmonary studies. (More may be required for critical care training and certification.)

7. Pulmonologist Salary and Outlook • $150,000+ per year salary. • This field is expected to grow more quickly than average through 2014.

8. Respiratory Therapist • Evaluates, treats, and cares for patients with breathing or other cardiopulmonary disorders. • Interviews patients, performs limited physical examinations, and conducts diagnostic tests. • Operates medical devices, such as ventilators, and gas regulators. • Monitors patient's responses to therapy, such as vital signs, blood-oxygen levels, and blood chemistry changes.

9. Where Do Respiratory Therapists Work? • Hospitals • Doctor’s Offices • Pediatric Centers • Pulmonology Facilities

10. Respiratory Therapist Training Requirements • Minimum of an Associate Degree. • Licensure from the National Board for Respiratory Care (required in all states except Alaska and Hawaii) to become a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT). • Graduation from advanced programs and successful completion of two separate examinations to become a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).

11. Respiratory Therapist Salary and Outlook • Average CRT starting salary: $40,000 • Average RRT starting salary: $55,000 • This field is expected to grow more quickly than average through 2014.

12. Pulmonary Function Technologist • Performs pulmonary-function, lung-capacity, diffusion capacity, and blood-and-oxygen tests to gather data for use by physician(s). • Discusses test procedures with patients. • Observes and records readings on metering devices of analysis equipment and relays this information to the physician for interpretation.

13. Where Do Pulmonary Function Technologists Work? • Hospitals • Doctor’s Offices • Pulmonology Facilities • Pediatric Centers

14. Pulmonary Function Technologist Training Requirements • Must already be a CRT or RRT. OR • Must have a high school degree and two or more years of clinical experience in pulmonary function technology. • Take and pass an accreditation exam from the National Board for Respiratory Care. • CRT becomes Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT). • RRT becomes Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT).

15. Pulmonary Function Technologist Salary and Outlook • Average CPFT starting salary: $55,000 • Average RPFT starting salary: $65,000 • This field is expected to grow more quickly than average through 2014.