Respiratory Therapy Assistant

Duties and Responsibilities:

Respiratory therapists help take care of people with breathing problems, like asthma, emphysema or other respiratory illnesses, as well as helping in emergency situations such as heart attacks or drowning. Respiratory therapists work with all age ranges, from infants to the elderly.

Respiratory therapists meet with patients and ask questions about their condition and concerns, run tests to determine the severity of their illness, and consult with doctors to determine the correct course of action. They treat patients with different methods from chest physiotherapy to putting people on ventilators, and track their progress with therapy. Often, respiratory therapists work with patients to teach them methods of therapy they can do on their own.

Salary: $54,280 a year

Education:

You can start with an associate's degree in respiratory therapy, but bachelor's degrees are highly sought after by employers. The programs blend classwork with practical experience. Additionally, respiratory therapists need licensure in all states except Alaska. Certification is also available, but not required.

  I would like to work in this field because it's almost like your giving people life.