HS_7-4_Careers in Respiratory Therapy

Respiratory Therapy Careers
CTAE Resource Network
Created by Caleb Allred and Dr. Frank Flanders
2010
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.
Careers in Respiratory Healthcare
• Pulmonologist
• Respiratory Therapist
• Pulmonary Function
Technologist
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.
Where Do Pulmonologists Work?
• Hospitals
• Pediatric Centers
• Alongside EMTs in
Ambulances
• Pulmonology Facilities
• Sleep Study Centers
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.)
Pulmonologist Salary and Outlook
• $150,000+ per year
salary.
• This field is expected
to grow more quickly
than average through
2014.
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.
Where Do Respiratory Therapists
Work?
•
•
•
•
Hospitals
Doctor’s Offices
Pediatric Centers
Pulmonology Facilities
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).
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.
Pulmonary Function Technologist
• Performs pulmonary-function, lungcapacity, diffusion capacity, and blood-andoxygen 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.
Where Do Pulmonary Function
Technologists Work?
•
•
•
•
Hospitals
Doctor’s Offices
Pulmonology Facilities
Pediatric Centers
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).
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.