If you’re interested in working in healthcare and want a rewarding job that will allow you to earn a comfortable salary, you should consider becoming a respiratory therapist. Respiratory therapy is a medical field that involves caring for patients with breathing problems. They assess, diagnose, treat and manage patients with respiratory conditions, such as asthma and cystic fibrosis.
Respiratory therapists also work with patients who have a wide range of conditions, depending on their clinical interests and specialization. They may also work in the critical care unit of a hospital. If you want to learn more, keep reading to find out what conditions respiratory therapists treat.
What conditions do respiratory therapists treat?
The best way to learn about what being a respiratory therapist entails is through your coursework. A respiratory therapy degree will prepare you for every aspect of your future career. You can even find online respiratory therapy programs, so you can complete your degree at your own pace. Online degree programs are becoming increasingly popular since they offer the flexibility to hold down a job or take care of your family while you continue your education. You can look at the curriculum or read a sample class syllabus online to get a better idea of what you’ll be studying.
Once you’re a practicing respiratory therapist, you’ll be working with patients with many different respiratory conditions. Some of the most common conditions respiratory therapists treat include asthma, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, congestive heart failure, and cystic fibrosis. Each of these conditions requires a different approach to treatment, and respiratory therapists are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of all of them. In addition to treating specific conditions, respiratory therapists also provide general respiratory care, including teaching patients how to use equipment like respirators and oxygen tanks.
While some therapists work in an outpatient environment, many respiratory therapists work in hospital settings, where they may be responsible for assessing patients, formulating treatment plans, and supervising respiratory therapy treatments. Respiratory therapists also work with patients who are on ventilators, ensuring that they are getting the oxygen they need to breathe.
What should you know about working in respiratory therapy?
Working in healthcare can be extremely rewarding and you’ll be able to make a good living too. Respiratory therapists in the United States earn above-average salaries and have excellent job security. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, respiratory therapists earn an annual median salary of $61,830. Additionally, the occupation is projected to grow by 14 percent from 2021 to 2031, resulting in about thousands of new jobs. This growth is largely due to the increasing elderly population, who are more prone to respiratory conditions. The spread of COVID-19 has also increased the demand for respiratory therapists.
As a healthcare worker, you need to remember that there are few things more important than getting enough sleep, particularly if you work in a hospital setting. Not getting enough sleep can lead to a number of health problems, including obesity, heart disease, and cancer. It can also lead to problems with cognitive function, such as poor decision-making and memory problems. This is a major concern for healthcare workers, who often have to make critical decisions in a short period of time. If you’re struggling to fall asleep or stay asleep on a consistent basis, talk to your doctor about finding a solution.
Respiratory therapy is a great career choice if you want to work in healthcare. As a respiratory therapist, you will help people who are experiencing difficulty breathing. You will have the opportunity to treat patients of all ages, from newborns to the elderly. You may also work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and home care.
If you are interested in a career in respiratory therapy, you should be prepared to complete a respiratory therapy degree program. Most programs require at least two years of study. You will learn about the anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system, as well as how to treat the conditions that you will be expected to manage, including COPD, asthma, cystic fibrosis, and many more.