Respiratory Care

 

Career and Major Information
Earnings
Related Occupations
Related Web Sites

 

Career and Major Information:

Walters State's two-year concentration in Respiratory Care is designed to prepare successful graduates for entry-level employment opportunities as respiratory therapists, who evaluate and treat patients with breathing disorders.  Other duties may 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 aerial blood samples for oxygen levels; and teaching patients methods of managing their diseases and improving their quality of life.  Specialization may be sought in neonatal care, cardiopulmonary support, helicopter transport, critical care, education, or management.  In addition, respiratory care practitioners are found in diverse areas such as general care, pediatric, and/or adult intensive care units, and pulmonary function laboratories. 

Respiratory care practitioners usually work in healthcare settings, but may be found in a variety of environments such as physicians’ offices, medical supply companies, or home care companies. 

The minimum educational requirement is an associates degree, and better than average growth is expected through the year 2012 due largely to the increasing aged population.

 

Earnings:

The Tennessee Career Information Delivery System website lists the salary range for a beginning-level position in this field in Tennessee as $28,625 to $30,390 annually.  With experience, the range increases to $35,880 to $44,580.  The national average is higher by about $1,500 to $2,000 per year.  Salary figures quoted are based on national figures. Local or regional salaries may be lower.

 

Related Occupations:

Registered Nurse

Radiation Therapist

Occupational Therapist

Physical Therapist

 

Related Web Sites:

American Association for Respiratory Care

            http://www.aarc.org/

American Lung Association

            http://www.lungusa.org/

Tennessee Society for Respiratory Care

            http://www.aarc.org/

National Board for Respiratory Care

            http://www.nbrc.org

 

Much of the above information was collected from the 2004-2005 Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the U.S. Department of Labor.  For additional information on these and many other careers, please visit the following web sites:

 

Occupational Outlook Handbook - U.S. Department of Labor

www.bls.gov/oco/

 

Tennessee Career Information Delivery System (TCIDS)

http://tcids.tbr.edu/.

 

 

For information regarding specific degree program requirements, curriculum, or faculty, please see the department website at http://www.ws.edu/health/default.asp.