Respiratory Therapy Pathway
Respiratory Therapists initiate and conduct therapeutic procedures, maintain patient records; select, assemble, check, and operate the equipment. They also may serve as asthma educators, patient educators, case managers, Hyperbaric Oxygen Specialists, Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation Specialists, and Sleep Specialists. Respiratory Therapists work in hospitals, clinics, skilled nursing facilities, home care, and diagnostic labs.
Information Session
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The Importance of Respiratory Therapy
Respiratory Therapists support all aspects of patients’ breathing and lung functions. Respiratory Therapists work with patients to make sure they are breathing as comfortably as possible and receiving adequate oxygen.
- Provide emergency care, such as artificial respiration, external cardiac massage, or assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
- Monitor patient’s physiological responses to therapy, such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, or blood chemistry changes, and consult with physician if adverse reactions occur.
- Set up and operate devices, such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, or aerosol generators, following specified parameters of treatment.
- Work as part of a team of physicians, nurses, or other healthcare professionals to manage patient care by assisting with medical procedures or related duties.
- Maintain charts that contain patients’ pertinent identification and therapy information.
- Read prescription, measure arterial blood gases, and review patient information to assess patient condition.
Learn more about being a Respiratory Therapist, including employment trends, salary averages, and related skills at O*Net(opens in a new tab) or CareerOneStop(opens in a new tab).
Education or Training Requirements
- High School Diploma or GED
- Associate’s Degree (2 years)
- Requirements to apply to programs may include:
- General education classes
- Science prerequisites: ex. Anatomy, Physiology, etc.
- Complete an accredited Respiratory Therapy program (CoARC or CAAHEP)
- Depending on school: Full time day time program (Mon-Fri 8am-5pm)
Accrediting Agencies
- Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)
Why accreditation is important: An accredited school has been reviewed by an industry organization to ensure that quality standards are met and maintained, providing some assurance of receiving a quality education. Some employers, licensing boards, and graduate schools will only accept credentials earned at an accredited school. Attending an accredited school will often increase your opportunities in the long run, as employers usually prefer to hire people who have graduated from accredited programs. Attending a non-accredited program may affect future education, licensure and certifications.
Certifications/Licensure
- Respiratory Care Board of California
- The National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC)
Please note: The above content is for informational purposes and is not intended to replace or provide any employer-specific requirements. Please be sure to check your employers’ job descriptions for specific requirements or consult your local HR department.
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We receive a tremendous response to our education and training programs. Availability is not guaranteed and varies based on demand, available spots, and our partnerships with educational providers.