Respiratory Therapy FAQ

Have you considered Respiratory Therapist?

If you enjoy working in a fast-paced environment where your technical and scientific responsibilities will be matched by a real need for human relation skills, then a career in respiratory care may be what you've been looking for. Respiratory Therapy is a health career specialty that offers unique challenges in the areas of prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of people with lung problems. As a respiratory therapist, you'll be involved in a wide variety of life-saving and life-support situations. Your expertise will be in demand and opportunities to expand your knowledge will be great.

What do Respiratory Therapists do?

Respiratory Therapists work under the direction of qualified physicians. The duties of the Respiratory Therapists are highly varied since they work with all age groups, including critical and non-critical care patients. Depending on the place of employment, they:

Administer aerosolized medication.
Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Administer oxygen and other medical gases.
Perform therapeutic techniques designed to improve pulmonary hygiene.
Draw arterial blood and analyze for amounts of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Perform tests of the lungs to assist in the diagnosis of respiratory diseases.
Monitor machines that mechanically breathe for the patient.
Perform breathing exercises and other pulmonary rehabilitation techniques.

Where do Respiratory Therapists work?

Most respiratory therapists work in hospitals. Other areas of employment are home care companies or private clinics.

Are there any personal attributes that are desirable for persons entering this field?

Persons entering the field of respiratory therapy should have an interest in helping others. They need patience and tact and the ability to reach out to all kinds of people. They deal with the patient and their families, physicians, nurses, and other health-care workers. Respiratory Therapists must be alert and attentive, quick to act in a crisis, and able to work under stress. They must pay attention to detail. To work with machines and equipment, they must have mechanical aptitude and dexterity. They must be strong enough to walk and stand for long hours.

What kind of program is offered?

Ozarks Technical Community College offers a two-year therapist program. The two-year program prepares students for the national board exams leading to the credentials as a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) and Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT). Graduates of the program are also eligible to take credentialing exams for Pulmonary Function Technologists and Perinatal/Pediatric Respiratory Care Specialists.

What education does a Respiratory Therapist need?

Before education begins in respiratory therapy, students must have completed 30 hours of prerequisite coursework as described in the OTC catalog. The actual program is divided into three semesters, beginning with the summer semester. In the summer and fall, students complete courses in pharmacology, pulmonary function testing, blood gases, pulmonary disease, and basic and advanced courses in respiratory therapy. In the spring semester, students take courses in pediatric respiratory care, special procedures, applied cardiopulmonary pathophysiology, and advanced respiratory therapy theory. On-the-job or hands-on education is also a very important part of the program. This is called clinical education. Students will complete approximately 900-1,000 hours of clinical education during the year. Most of this education is done in the hospital under the supervision of respiratory therapists.

Is a license required in order to practice Respiratory Therapy?

Many states today require that respiratory therapists take an examination for a license to practice in that state. Most state licensing boards use the CRT exam for this purpose. Missouri requires a license.

What is the future of Respiratory Therapy?

Regardless of which level of education or credentialing you choose, you'll find many employment opportunities in the field. The profession has grown quickly since its inception in the 1940s and demand for respiratory therapists is on the rise. Coupled with the ever-increasing number of lung disorders being diagnosed, these demands ensure that individuals who enter the profession will enjoy good career opportunities.

For more information, including requirements for admission, cost, school policy, and application procedure, please call or write:

Allied Health
Ozarks Technical Community College
1001 E. Chestnut Expressway
Springfield, MO 65802
(417) 447-8954 or 447-8803