How to Land a Top-Paying RRTs Job: Your Complete Guide to Opportunities, Resumes and Cover Letters, Interviews, Salaries, Promotions, What to Expect From Recruiters and More. Holloway Donna

and pass an exam.

      Important Qualities

      Compassion. Respiratory therapists should be able to provide emotional support to patients undergoing treatment and be sympathetic to their needs.

      Detail oriented. Respiratory therapists must be detail oriented to ensure that patients are receiving the appropriate treatments and medications in a timely manner. They must also monitor and record various pieces of information related to patient care.

      Interpersonal skills. Respiratory therapists interact with patients and often work as part of a team. They must be able to follow instructions from a supervising physician.

      Patience. Respiratory therapists may work for long periods with patients who need special attention.

      Problem-solving skills. Respiratory therapists need strong problem-solving skills. They must evaluate patients’ symptoms, consult with other healthcare professionals, and recommend and administer the appropriate treatments.

      Science and mathematical skills. Respiratory therapists must understand anatomy, physiology, and other sciences and be able to calculate the right dose of a patient’s medicine.

      Pay

      Respiratory Therapists

      Median annual wages, May 2010

      Health Diagnosing and Treating Practitioners

      $71,490

      Respiratory Therapists

      $54,280

      Total, All Occupations

      $33,840

      All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.

      The median annual wage of respiratory therapists was $54,280 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $39,990, and the top 10 percent earned more than $73,410.

      As shown in the tabulation below, the median annual wage for respiratory therapists varies between the industries they are employed in.

      Nursing care facilities $57,450

      Home health care services 55,960

      Hospitals; state, local, and private 54,210

      Offices of physicians 52,500

      Most respiratory therapists work full time. Because they may work in medical facilities such as hospitals that are always open, some work evening, night, or weekend hours.

      Job Outlook

      Respiratory Therapists

      Percent change in employment, projected 2010-20

      Respiratory Therapists

      28%

      Health Diagnosing and Treating Practitioners

      26%

      Total, All Occupations

      14%

      All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.

      Employment of respiratory therapists is expected to grow by 28 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations. Growth in the middle-aged and elderly population will lead to an increased incidence of respiratory conditions such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and pneumonia, respiratory disorders that permanently damage the lungs or restrict lung function. These factors will lead to an increased demand for respiratory therapy services and treatments, mostly in hospitals and nursing homes. In addition, advances in preventing and detecting disease, improved medications, and more sophisticated treatments will increase the demand for respiratory therapists. Other conditions affecting the general population, such as smoking, air pollution, and respiratory emergencies, will continue to create demand for respiratory therapists.

      Job Prospects

      Respiratory therapists with certification or a bachelor’s degree will have the best job prospects.

      Employment projections data for respiratory therapists, 2010-20

      Occupational Title SOC Code Employment, 2010 Projected Employment, 2020 Change, 2010-20 Employment by Industry

      Percent Numeric

      Respiratory Therapists

      29-1126 112,700 143,900 28 31,200

      Similar Occupations

      This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of respiratory therapists.

      OCCUPATION JOB DUTIES ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION MEDIAN ANNUAL PAY, MAY 2010

      Athletic Trainers

      Athletic trainers specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating muscle and bone injuries and illnesses. They work with people of all ages and all skill levels, from young children to soldiers and professional athletes.

      Bachelor’s degree $41,600

      Occupational Therapists

      Occupational therapists treat patients with injuries, illnesses, or disabilities through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. They help these patients develop, recover, and improve the skills needed for daily living and working.

      Master’s degree $72,320

      Physical Therapists

      Physical therapists help people who have injuries or illnesses improve their movement and manage their pain. They are often an important part of rehabilitation and treatment of patients with chronic conditions or injuries.

      Doctoral or professional degree $76,310

      Radiation Therapists

      Radiation therapists treat cancer and other diseases in patients by giving radiation treatments.

      Associate’s degree $74,980

      Registered Nurses

      Registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their family members.

      Associate’s degree $64,690

      Contacts for More Information

      For more information about respiratory therapists, visit

      American Association for Respiratory Care

      For a list of accredited educational programs for respiratory care practitioners, visit

      Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care

      For a list of state licensing agencies, as well as information on gaining credentials in respiratory care, visit

      National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc.

      This chapter provides clear insight in the current state of RRTs jobs - the next chapter covers how to find and apply for RRTs jobs.

FINDING AND APPLYING FOR RRTs JOBS AND EVALUATING OFFERS

      Finding—and getting—a job you want can be a challenging process, but knowing more about job search methods and application techniques can increase your chances of success. And knowing how to judge the job offers you receive makes it more likely that you will end up with the best possible job.

      Where to learn About Job Openings

      Job