Are you interested in enrolling in a respiratory therapist program? If so, you’ve made the right choice. But with so many medical programs out there, you may be wondering how to choose the perfect one.

There are a few things to consider based on how long you want to be in school and the type of money you want to make after receiving your certification.

To understand more about becoming a respiratory therapist, continue reading below.

What Is Respiratory Therapy?

Respiratory therapists help to identify and treat cardiopulmonary disorders. A respiratory therapist helps to provide ventilation and airway management for patients. They also give cardiopulmonary resuscitation, aerosol therapy, as well as patient assessment for respiratory function.

Entering into a respiratory therapist program teaches students how to carry out the daily tasks of the job. The course provides educational and hands-on training so that students understand how to properly care for patients.

The course teaches them how to respond to emergency situations that may require activities like CPR and other emergency services.

The Contrast Between a Respiratory Therapist Certificate and Degree

In order to become a respiratory therapist, you first have to apply for a respiratory therapist certificate or a degree in respiratory therapy. A respiratory therapist program certifies students in respiratory therapy.

On the other hand, an advanced degree provides the opportunity to become a registered respiratory therapist. However, both occupations have similar job functions.

Certificate programs teach students about biology, anatomy, therapeutics, and respiratory care. The certificate program can be used as a stepping stone to an advanced degree that requires a prior completed certification course or a bachelor’s degree.

An advanced respiratory therapist degree and registered status give students the opportunity to work in special fields. By obtaining an advanced degree, you can specialize in sleep disorders, pediatrics, adult critical care, and pulmonary technology.

Does it Take Long to Receive a Respiratory Therapist Program Certificate?

If you’re only going for a certificate, it doesn’t take long at all. Completing the program is a lot quicker than if you were to get an advanced degree. You can receive certification for respiratory therapy in under two years.

However, a degree can take up to three years. The overall time it takes depends on the course, the length of the internship, and the specialized field your study. But some programs offer accelerated study, which helps to reduce the time required to complete the program.

How Much Does a Respiratory Therapist Program Cost?

On average, it costs about $11,000 for a 15-month course. However, the price varies depending on the school you attend. You can also expect to pay additional expenses for things like books, background checks, drug tests, and equipment.

It’s important to keep in mind that there are examination and licensure fees that may apply as well.

What to Expect from a Respiratory Therapy Program

In a respiratory therapy program, there are core studies that all students must take. The course focuses on physics, breathing, adult pediatrics, cardiopulmonary diagnostics, and more.

Students are closely supervised by teachers so that they can hone their skills before completing the certification. Here are a couple of the main courses of study:

Human Anatomy and Physiology

Understanding physiology and anatomy is the foundation that helps students to understand more about biochemistry, physiology, and biophysics. The course examines various organs and teaches students the correlation between each system and its function.

Respiratory Care Procedures

Respiratory care teaches students about the standard principles of respiratory operation and about medical gas delivery. Program enrollees also learn about the various devices used during respiratory therapy.

The course provides the fundamentals for respiratory therapy so students can apply them while they’re in the field.

Before enrolling in a respiratory therapist program, it’s important to know the requirements. Follow the highlighted link to learn more about them.

Career Options for Respiratory Therapists

Once you’ve received your program certificate, there are a variety of positions that you can take in intensive care units, emergency rooms, and nursing facilities. You could even find a job in maintenance, sales, education, and consulting.

A few of the most common positions within respiratory therapy include the following:

• Cardio-respiratory therapist
• Respiratory therapy technician
• Respiratory Health services specialist
• Respiration treatment specialist

The majority of careers within the respiratory field pay very well and are continuing to grow. However, individuals who work in this field generally don’t work unconventional hours. Workdays include weekends and nights—especially in a hospital environment.

How Much Does a Respiratory Therapist Make?

Respiratory therapists earn about $60,000 per year. That salary depends on where you work and the city that you live in. You may even make more depending on whether or not you have a degree and if you work in a specialized field.

The good thing about respiratory therapy is that this particular field is expected to continue growing and be in demand. This career path has an increased growth rate and is projected to increase between the years 2019 to 2029.

Choose the Right Respiratory Therapist Program

As you can see, you have to weigh the pros and cons of the respiratory therapist program that you choose. The best way to select either or is to decide exactly what career path you want to take. Then, research exactly what’s required to get a career in that particular field.

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