Are you an individual who would like to work in the medical field, but not necessarily spend years in school to reach the level of medical doctor? Do you enjoy working within a hospital or medical office setting and extending medical care to people of all ages without the hassle of being on-call night and day like a licensed physician? You might be a good candidate for one of the many respiratory therapy schools. Respiratory therapists, also known as respiratory care practitioners, are trained specialists who evaluate, treat, and extend care to patients with breathing or other cardiopulmonary ailments.

After graduating from one of the respiratory therapy schools, respiratory therapists train and practice under the guidance of a medical doctor, assisting physicians on a variety of levels with respect to patient care. They consult with physicians and other key members of the support staff to aid in the development and modification of patient care plane. Respiratory therapists must possess a considerable amount of independent judgment in an effort to provide complex therapy to individual patients.

The duties of respiratory therapists include the thorough evaluation of all types of patients, from premature infants with lungs that are not fully developed to older people who may be exhibiting signs of chronic lung disease. Respiratory therapists also provide temporary relief to those suffering from asthma or emphysema, and they also provide emergency care to victims of heart attacks, near-drowning, stroke, or shock.

Part of the education students receive in respiratory therapy schools includes safety procedures. Respiratory therapists work with gases stored under pressure, and they must adhere to specific safety precautions, and this includes overseeing the maintenance and testing of the equipment to ensure its complete safety and reducing the risk of any potential injury.
 
Breathe Life Into a New Respiratory Therapy Career
The minimum amount of educational requirements in respiratory therapy schools is the completion of an associate degree. However, if you are seeking to advance within the field of respiratory therapy, you may want to pursue a bachelor's or even a master's degree within one of the accredited respiratory therapy schools. Every state, with the exception of Alaska and Hawaii, require its respiratory therapists to be licensed.

Most colleges and universities, medical schools, and vocational-technical institutes have respiratory therapy schools that offer advanced degree beyond the Associate's Degree.

Respiratory Therapists Careers are Booming
The demand for respiratory therapist is on the rise, especially for those trained in cardiopulmonary care or infant care in accredited respiratory therapy schools. Employment for respiratory therapists is expected to grow by 19 percent by the year 2016, which is faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is largely due to the growth of the middle age and elderly populations.

While the greatest potential for job opportunities exists within hospitals, an increasing number of openings are expected to be available within home health care systems, physicians' offices, or as a temporary worker in certain settings.

As of May 2006, the median annual earnings of respiratory therapists were $47,420.  Some respiratory therapists were earning upwards of $64,000 annually.

If you want to breathe new life into your career, consider the exciting field of respiratory therapy care and explore one of the respiratory therapy schools near you today!