How long is respiratory therapist school? Can be a common question if you are wondering to shape your career as a respiratory therapist. Then you need to read this article carefully. In times where chronic diseases and ill health are prevalent all over the world, the necessity of skilled medical practitioners is increasing dominantly. One may also visit our page medical school online for the knowledge on a medical school and its criteria and other facilities provided by the school.
How long is respiratory therapist school? – A Quick View
Talking about respiratory illnesses in particular, over time, people are getting more prone to various types of lung diseases, which, in turn, calls for the demand of respiratory therapists in the USA. For all those individuals who are interested in finding a career in this field, the primary concern is in regards to how long is respiratory therapist school. The answer to this question lies in understanding the educational process in this profession.
This post consists of all the crucial details you must know about this field of medicine. Let’s begin:
Respiratory therapist degree
It is possibly your passion to save lives or the desire to grab a financially secure career that brought you to the decision of moving ahead on this path. And you are now eager to know how to become a respiratory therapist and how long will it take to turn into a certified practitioner.
The primary requirement is to acquire quality education in this field and getting respiratory therapist certification. You must enroll in any of the following two programs to proceed further:
- A 2-year Associate degree
- A 4-year Bachelor’s degree
Having a professional respiratory therapist degree either of the two degrees will qualify you to take the next step in the journey, which is of becoming a certified and licensed therapist and drawing respiratory therapist salary. To do so, you have to pass a multiple-choice examination held by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NRBC), after which, you will earn the credential of either an entry-level Certified Respiratory Therapist(CRT) or advanced-level Registered Respiratory Therapist(RRT), based on your score.
If you are wondering about how to become a respiratory therapist then by considering the above requirements, we can understand that an aspirant would, at the maximum, require four years to complete his education and become a certified therapist. However, if you go with an Associate’s degree, the process will naturally shorten, but having a bachelor’s will bring along a lot of advantages for you in the long run.
Respiratory therapist salary is also very decent once you get respiratory therapist degree from best respiratory therapist schools.
Since it is a 4-year long process, many students question is the respiratory therapy program hard. The answer to this lies in the passion you possess towards the career. Though the journey may seem long, it is worth every effort you put in.
How long is respiratory therapist school? Build a successful career
One of the very first questions that come to mind for someone considering a career in respiratory care is, “How much preparation and qualifications do I need to become a respiratory therapist?”
The simple answer is that an associate’s degree is required, but a bachelor’s degree is preferable. You must also complete the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) test before earning your Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) certification, which is considered the “gold standard” for respiratory care providers by the National Board for Respiratory Care.
Many good respiratory therapists go on to earn a master’s degree in order to broaden their experience, qualifications, and job options. Let’s stop and take a deep breath before we get into all the educational and credentialing information.
How long is respiratory therapist school? What Would it Take to Become a Respiratory Therapist?
One of the most fundamental necessities of life is the need to breathe. Breathing disorders come in a variety of forms and causes, and patients depend on respiratory therapists to help them improve their quality of life and heal.
Respiratory therapists work in collaboration with physicians and nurses to assess, identify, and manage a broad range of breathing problems. Their work entails assisting people with respiratory illnesses, chronic lung diseases such as the following:
- Asthma
- Bronchitis
- Emphysema
- Cystic fibrosis, etc.
They can also treat patients who have had a heart attack or stroke, as well as others who have been in a major accident. Premature children to the elderly were among the patients.
What does a workday look like for respiratory therapists?
Now that you already know how long is respiratory therapist school, it’s important for you to know what to expect from the profession. A day in the work of a respiratory therapist can be both rewarding and demanding.
Most therapists have common main roles whether they operate in a hospital, rehabilitation facility, or in-home care. A respiratory therapist might do the following on a normal day:
- Perform initial chest examinations and take patient records
- Examine blood oxygen levels
- Find out what’s wrong with the lungs and how to fix it
- Patients and their families and friends should be educated about the benefits of such therapies and procedures
- Perform medical reviews and make recommendations to treating doctors for treatment improvements
- Respond to sudden heart arrest or other medical emergencies that need immediate attention
- Respiratory medicine is a vital profession that may be suitable for caring for people involved in respiratory health
Prospects for the Future
The demand for certified respiratory therapists in the United States is currently increasing, owing to an aging population and poor air quality. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), here are some key stats:
- Respiratory therapist jobs are projected to rise 23 percent by 2026, significantly faster than the national trend for all sectors.
- The median income for respiratory therapists is $60,280.
Academic degrees will help respiratory therapists succeed in their careers. The bottom line is that with the right education, respiratory therapists can do almost everything in the field of health care. Therefore, no matter how long is respiratory therapist school, in the end, the degree will help you in building a successful career.
Best Respiratory Therapist Schools
Lets read about how long is respiratory therapist school programs, that will provide you a respiratory therapist certification after completion of the course.
- University of Kansas – This educational institution offers a bachelor’s degree course in respiratory care. This program is mainly available for students who’ve already completed their undergraduate and hold a bachelor’s degree. The University of Kansas allows students to complete online respiratory therapy programs in as less as 14 weeks.
- Georgia State University – This well-known college of health and human sciences offers a bachelor’s degree program in respiratory therapy to the aspiring candidates. With the main topics of this degree course involves respiratory care pharmacology, pulmonary diagnostics, ventilator support, and long term respiratory care, students can complete this degree course program in less than 1 year.
- University of Alabama – This school of health professions allows students to pursue a bachelor’s in respiratory therapy. This program is a four-year program that includes two-years of pre-professional respiratory therapy studies and two years of professional training. Being the 17th best medical school in the country, the University of Alabama can easily help you to shape your career in the field of respiratory therapy.
So, if you sincerely aim to step into the field of respiratory therapy and you’re wondering how long is respiratory therapist school, how much does it cost to become a respiratory therapist, what does a respiratory therapist do then fill out the contact form below to get more information.
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