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Profession: Rehabilitation Therapy

Respiratory Therapist: Respiratory Therapists help people breathe more easily. Their patients, newborn through elderly, have cardio-pulmonary (heart-lung) problems brought on by asthma, emphysema, pneumonia, cystic fibrosis and other conditions. Respiratory therapists test patients for breathing capacity and analyze oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations. To improve breathing, they treat patients with exercises and physiotherapy, by administering inhaled medications and, if necessary, by hooking up ventilators for patients who cannot breathe for themselves. Respiratory therapists are also educators, making sure patients and their families know how to maintain cardiopulmonary function and health.

Salary Range: $44,490 - $61,720

Salary Notes: Respiratory therapists earn between $44,490 - $61,720 per year.

Where you can study:
Berkshire Community College, Pittsfield, MA
Community College of Rhode Island, Warwick, RI
Kennebec Valley Community College, Fairfield, ME
Manchester (CT) Community College, Manchester, CT
Naugatuck Valley Community College, Waterbury, CT
North Shore Community College, Danvers, MA
Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Northern Essex Community College, Haverhill, MA
Norwalk Community College, Norwalk, CT
Quinnipiac University, Hamden, CT
Quinsigamond Community College, Worcester, MA
River Valley Community College, Claremont, NH
Southern Maine Community College, South Portland, ME
Springfield College, Springfield, MA
University of Hartford, West Hartford, CT
Vermont Technical College - Williston Campus, Williston, VT

Where you might work:
Diagnostic Laboratories - Home Health Care Agencies - Hospitals - Industry - Long-term Care Facilities - Outpatient Clinics - Patient Transport Services - Physician Offices - Private Homes - Rehabilitation Centers - Sleep Centers -

Job Outlook: Job opportunities are expected to increase faster than average through 2016 because of the substantial growth in middle-aged and elderly populations. Employment opportunities are most favorable for respiratory therapists with cardiopulmonary care skills and experience working with newborns and infants.

Education, Licensing and Certification: Prospective respiratory therapists should emphasize math and science course work in high school. After high school, it normally takes two years to complete an associate degree and prepare for the national registry exam, which is required. It is possible to work as a Registered Respiratory Therapist while completing a bachelor's degree. More education can lead to higher levels of responsibility and higher salaries in the field.

Professional Organizations:
American Association for Respiratory Care 972-243-2272 www.aarc.org
Commission on Accreditation for Allied Health Education Programs 727-210-2350 www.caahep.org
National Board for Respiratory Care 913-895-4900 www.nbrc.org
Vermont and New Hampshire Society for Respiratory Care www.vtnhsrc.org