Respiratory Care

Respiratory Care: What is it?

Decisions
You can live without food for weeks. You can live without water for a few days. But if you are deprived of air, you will die within minutes. In terms of survival, breathing is your most immediate need.

Many people have trouble breathing. Because of either a serious illness or accident, many people have impaired or non-functioning lungs. Respiratory Care Practitioners are the health care specialists who evaluate, treat and care for patients with breathing disorders.

YOU can make the difference!
The need for Respiratory Care Practitioners is expected to grow faster than the national average for all job growth. As the number of elderly people increases, the need for respiratory care will increase as well. As treatment advances for heart attack and accident victims, premature babies, patients with AIDS and other disorders, the demand for respiratory care will grow.

The respiratory care profession has a bright future with a great deal of job security and opportunity for advancement. Once you enter the profession, you may want to specialize in an area such as neonatal care, cardiopulmonary diagnostics, helicopter transport, critical care, education, or management.

Qualifications
If you want to join this exciting field, you must be sensitive to the needs of patients who have serious physical impairments. You must work well as a member of a team. The ability to pay close attention to detail, follow instruction, and think independently are prerequisites for practitioners. Since some of your work will center on the equipment you use, you should have an interest in learning the mechanics of medical technology.

If you want to be a respected, essential member of a health care team, care for patients from newborns to the elderly, work with advanced technology to monitor and sustain lung and breathing activity, then consider Respiratory Care...A profession dedicated to saving and sustaining life!

What do Respiratory Therapists do?

Respiratory Care Practitioners (RCPs) may work in general care wards, neonatal, pediatric, and/or adult intensive care units, pulmonary function labs, rehabilitation, etc. Typical duties include:

• Performing physical exams relating to heart and lung function
• Performing diagnostic tests for heart and lung function
• Administering medical gases and inhaled medications
• Performing treatments to expand the lung and clear mucus
• Performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
• Monitoring and maintaining patients on life support
• Drawing and analyzing arterial blood samples for oxygen, carbon dioxide, and acid levels
• Teaching patients methods of managing their diseases and enhancing their quality of life