As of 1998, Respiratory therapists held about 235,000 jobs. About 9 out of 10 jobs were located in hospitals in departments of respiratory care, anesthesiology, or pulmonary medicine. Durable medical equipment rental companies, home health agencies, and nursing homes accounted for most of the remaining jobs (COARC).

Employment of respiratory care practitioners is expected to increase much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2020 because of substantial growth of the middle-aged and elderly population. This development will heighten the incidence of cardiopulmonary disorders.

The very young and elderly are common sufferers from respiratory ailments and cardiopulmonary diseases such as pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and heart disease. As their numbers increase, the need for respiratory practitioners will increase as well. In addition, advances in treating victims of heart attacks, accident victims, and premature infants (many of whom may be dependent on a ventilator during part of their treatment) will require the services of respiratory care practitioners. Rapid growth in the number of patients with AIDS will also boost demand since lung disease often accompanies AIDS. Opportunities are expected to be highly favorable for respiratory therapists with neonatal care and cardiopulmonary care skills.

Very rapid growth is expected in home health agencies, equipment rental companies, and firms that provide respiratory care on a contract basis. As in other occupations, most job openings will result from the need to take over expanded areas and replace workers who transfer to other jobs or retire.

Training and Advancement

Formal training is necessary for entry to this field. Training is offered at the post secondary level by hospitals, medical schools, colleges and the Armed Forces. There are over 400 programs for respiratory therapists and technicians that are accredited by the Committee on Accreditations of Allied Health Education Programs (COARC).

Formal training programs vary in length and degree awarded. Most of the accredited therapist programs last for 2 years, like Midlands Technical College, and award an associate degree. Areas of study in the respiratory programs include human anatomy and physiology, chemistry, physics, microbiology, and mathematics. Technical courses deal with patient assessment procedures and equipment, and clinical patient care. Therapists should be sensitive to patients' physical and psychological needs. Respiratory care workers must pay attention to detail, follow instructions, and work as part of a team. Operating complicated respiratory care equipment requires a high level of knowledge, mechanical ability and manual dexterity.

Students interested in a career in respiratory care are encouraged to take courses in health, biology, mathematics, chemistry, and physics. Respiratory Care involves basic mathematical problem solving. An understanding of basic chemical and physical principles is also important. Computing medication dosages and calculating gas concentrations are just two examples of the need for knowledge of science and mathematics.

As of 1999, Forty-seven states licensed Respiratory Care personnel. All states use the same national credentialing exam given by The National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). The NBRC offers certification and registry exams to graduates of accredited programs. Two credentials are awarded to respiratory care practitioners who satisfy the requirement: Certified Therapist (CRT) and Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT). All graduates from 2 or 4-year programs in respiratory care, must take the CRT examination first. CRT's who meet education and experience requirements can take higher level separate examinations, leading to the award of the RRT. In the state of South Carolina, employers require that applicants for entry level or general respiratory staff positions apply for their state license, be at least a CRT or be eligible to take the exam in the time period provided. Supervisory positions and those in intensive care specialties, always require the RRT credential.

Respiratory therapists can advance in clinical practice by moving from general patient care to care of critically ill patients. Respiratory therapists, especially those with advanced training degrees, may advance to supervisory or managerial positions in respiratory care departments. Respiratory therapists in home care and equipment rental firms may often become supervisors or branch manager. Others may work as sales representatives or as equipment designers for the medical equipment manufacturers.

Earnings

Median annual earnings for respiratory therapists who worked year round full time in 1999 were $45,650. The middle 50 percent earned between $34,000 and $58,000. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $30,000; the top 10 percent earned more than $49,048.

According to a national survey of hospitals and medical centers, the median annual salary for respiratory therapists, based on a 40 hour week and excluding shift and area differentials, was $39,750 in October 2000. The average minimum annual salary was $32,770 and the average maximum was $49,000.