Respiratory therapist

Respiratory Therapy is categorized as an Allied Health profession in the United States and Canada. RTs specialize in the assessment and treatment of breathing disorders including chronic lung problems (i.e., asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, COPD),and more acute multi systemic problems stemming from other pathological conditions such as heart attacks, strokes or trauma. Respiratory Therapists(RT) are specialists in airway management, mechanical ventilation, acid/base balance and critical care medicine.

Registered Respiratory Therapists (R.R.T.) are graduates of a three year diploma program or four or five year degree program. There are also some Masters and PhD programs. After graduation, the therapist must then write a national exam administered by the CSRT (Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists) in Canada and/ or the NBRC (National Board for Respiratory Care) in the USA. Only two attempts to pass are permitted, then further training required.

A high school backgound showing good grades ( usually B+ or higher) in science and math at the senior maticulation level. The program studies vary from program to program but all include the following:

A courses in anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, chemistry, physics, microbiology, hemodynamics, mechanical ventilation, and statistics as well as healthcare law,and medical ethics, are required. Pass marks are usually set high. These studies relate to all body systems. Extra focus is spent on the respiratory, cardiovascular, neuro and renal systems.

Class sizes are usually small and offer class room as well as clinical "hands on" experiences. Many applicants already hold science degrees. Traditionaly there is a measurable attrition rate due to a students failure to meet expected performance standards. Most of the schools do not allow multiple rewrites of failed exams.The material from the entire program must be mastered,applied and retained. There is no "ook book" practice. RTs must think quickly under stressful situations and make the proper life or death call, while others may become emotional and unable to react. RTs must function as a patient advocate, staff, physician and patient resource. RTs function as an indispensible member of the health care team.

Starting Salaries in Canada for a Staff RRT Range from $40,000 in PEI to $65,000 in Alberta . The top end yearly salary of an RRT staff position in Alberta Canada is CN$75,000.00. Four weeks vacation after 1 year plus 11 statutory holidays. Many RTs are making $90,000 to over $100,000 per year with overtime backshift and weekend premium, and or extra training. The organization responsible for governing Respiratory therapists in Alberta is The College and Association of Respiratory Therapists of Albert or CARTA. Respiratory Therapy is a profession under the new Health Professions Act for the Province of Alberta The procedures an RT can provide depend on the patient's individual needs and /or the laws in the various states and provinces where they practice.

Airway management is a number one skill needed by a respiratory therapist as well as vascular access for IV, arterial lines or ABGs. Some Rts are specially trained in helping in the O R, or in High Risk Deliveries, ECMO, chest tube and central line insertion. RRT's may also provide an important role in the homecare enviroment. Here the RRT's role is different from the hospital role in that there is not alot of available technical resources available. One must reley on more clinical assessments and experience related decision making when evaluating the patients current condition. This is where the true test of the RRT's knowlegde is tested.

The nature of the RT's education allows for easy upgrading to learn more advanced skills and procedures. Respiratory therapists only act on a physicians order, except where there are written protocols or, in the event of an emergency with no physician present. An example of an existing protocol:Duke University Medical Center utlizes RTs to provide all, out-of-operating-room intubations. Physicians may write an order to ventilate according to Respiratory Therapist", or Adjust Ventilator to maintain certain physiological values. These types of orders require the therapist to interpret lab results and assess the patient,then make a decison to adjust or not to adjust life support parameters. As one can see the wrong choice could result in serious harm or death to the patient. This usually occurs at night or on weekends when the senior medical staff is not in the building. The therapist must be educated and trained well in order to safely complete these tasks.

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