Respiratory Care Schools

Respiratory care therapy is a challenging career option in the medicine diagnostic and treatment field. Respiratory therapists or the respiratory care practitioners work with physicians and other health professionals in health care planning, evaluation, and treatment of patients with cardiac and pulmonary disorders. The respiratory care therapists are respected professionals in the health care industry for their scientific and technical expertise.

Respiratory Care Training

In order to become a respiratory therapist or technician, formal training is necessary. The training is offered at the postsecondary level by respiratory care schools, colleges, universities, vocational technical institutes, and the Armed Forces. The program may also include cardiopulmonary resuscitation training. Depending on the program the students receive diploma or certification. If you wish to become a registered respiratory therapist, then you require a three year diploma or degree. The degree program is of either four of five year duration. Some respiratory care schools also offer Masters and PhD programs.

Graduates are required to write a national exam administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). A strong high school background in math and science is usually considered essential. The courses included in the training are : anatomy, pharmacology, chemistry, physics, microbiology, hemodynamics, physiology, statistics, health care law, medical ethics and mechanical ventilation. The courses emphasize on the respiratory, cardiovascular and neurological systems.

Respiratory Care Responsibilities

Respiratory therapists evaluate patients, perform physical examinations and conduct diagnostic tests. The routine functions of a respiratory therapist include testing patients' breathing capacity, determining concentration of oxygen in patients' blood, measuring pH, evaluating lung capacity with the instrument that measures volume and flow of oxygen. The data noted by respiratory therapists helps physicians make various treatment decisions.

The therapists provide temporary relief to patients suffering from chronic asthma or emphysema. They also look after patients requiring emergency care to the victims of a heart attack or stroke. Respiratory care schools prepare the students to work in hospitals and treat patients of all ages. They can handle acute and sudden problems as well as chronic and long term disorders. A patient having difficulty getting adequate oxygen are aided by the therapist, who place oxygen mask or a nasal cannula on the patient.

A respiratory care technician or therapist is required to take crucial decisions, therefore, the technician/therapist must have the ability to think correctly and quickly under stressful conditions.

Respiratory Care Job Prospects

Respiratory therapists are inevitable part of the health care team in hospitals, cardiopulmonary diagnostic laboratories, rehabilitation centers and home care agencies. A degree or certification in respiratory care therapy qualifies you to work as a respiratory therapists in critical care, emergency care, pediatrics, pulmonary function and cardiac stress testing.

Recently, there has been increase in number of aged people suffering from respiratory ailments and cardiopulmonary diseases like pneumonia, bronchitis, emphysema and heart disease. This has increased the demand for respiratory therapists. The students from respiratory care schools can also find employment in home health care services, physicians office, and other health practitioners.

Georgia Medical Institute is one of many schools offering Medical Assistant training. Please check with them directly for accurate information.