How Long Does It Take to Become a Respiratory Therapist?

A respiratory therapist provides care and treatment to patients with breathing problems. There are many different types of respiratory therapists, and the length of time it takes to become one can vary depending on the type of respiratory therapist you want to be. In this blog post, we will look at how long does it take to become a respiratory therapist and outline the steps you need to take to become a respiratory therapist.

How To Become A Respiratory Therapist?

Step One: Complete An Accredited Respiratory Therapy Program

The first step on the path to becoming a respiratory therapist is to obtain a degree in respiratory therapy from an accredited university or respiratory therapy education program. This will typically take a 2-year associate degree or four years bachelor’s degree.

Once you have your degree, you’ll need to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). You can then begin working towards your professional license, which will allow you to practice as a certified respiratory therapist.

how long does it take to become a respiratory therapist

Step Two: Earn Licensure Or Certification And Start Internship

To obtain your professional license and become a registered respiratory therapist, you’ll need to complete a period of supervised practice, known as an internship. This typically lasts for two years.

Once you’ve completed your internship, you’ll be able to sit for the HCPC registration examinations. Once you’ve passed these examinations, you’ll be a licensed respiratory therapist.

Step 3: Entry-Level Jobs

Once licensed or certified, respiratory therapists will be able to find entry-level positions working in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and other healthcare settings.

With experience, respiratory therapists may advance to supervisory positions or choose to specialize in a particular area of practice, such as pediatrics or neonatal care. Some therapists also choose to pursue additional education and training and become certified pulmonary function technologists (CPFTs) or Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRTs).

What You’ll Study In Respiratory Therapy School?

In respiratory therapy programs, you’ll learn about the assessment of a variety of breathing disorders, management, and maintenance of various ventilator systems, pulmonary function testing, and analysis, pharmacology related to respiratory therapy, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), as well as patient education. Some of the courses are:

Anatomy And Physiology

Of course, as a future respiratory therapist, you’ll need to have a thorough understanding of human anatomy and physiology. You’ll study everything from the cellular level up, learning how each system in the body works and how they all interact with one another. A&P will lay the foundation for all your other coursework, so it’s important to pay attention and try to understand the material—you’ll be using what you learned in A&P for the rest of your career!

Pathophysiology

In this class, you’ll learn about the mechanisms underlying various diseases and disorders. You’ll study how different pathologies affect different systems in the body, and you’ll learn about common treatments for these conditions. This is an important class for future RTs because it will help you understand why your patients are experiencing certain symptoms and how you can best treat them.

Pharmacology

All healthcare providers must have a solid understanding of pharmacology, and respiratory therapists are no exception. In this class, you’ll learn about the drugs commonly used to treat respiratory conditions, as well as their mechanism of action, side effects, and contraindications. You’ll also learn how to properly dose medications and administer them via various routes—important skills for any RT!

Medical Ethics

As a healthcare provider, you’ll be faced with ethical dilemmas regularly. In this class, you’ll learn about common ethical principles and how to apply them in real-life situations. You’ll also get the chance to explore your values and beliefs so that you can be prepared to make tough decisions when necessary.

Where Do Respiratory Therapists Work?

Respiratory therapists typically work in hospitals, long-term care facilities, home health agencies, physician’s offices, and other healthcare settings. In some cases, they may even work in schools or public health departments. They often collaborate with doctors, nurses, advanced practice providers, and other healthcare professionals to provide the best possible respiratory care for their patients.

What Conditions Do Respiratory Therapists Treat?

RTS are trained to treat a wide variety of conditions, both acute and chronic. Some of the most common conditions that they treat include:

Common Cold

The common cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory system, which includes the nose, throat, and sinuses. Cold symptoms can include a runny nose, congestion, coughing, sore throat, and fever. Most people recover from a cold within a week or two without medical intervention. However, in some cases, a cold can lead to more serious complications such as bronchitis or pneumonia.

Bronchitis

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the airways that results in increased mucus production. Bronchitis can be either acute or chronic. Acute bronchitis typically lasts for a few weeks and is usually caused by a viral infection. Chronic bronchitis is more persistent and typically lasts for months or even years. It’s often associated with smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke. Symptoms of bronchitis can include cough (usually with mucus), shortness of breath, fatigue, and chest pain.

Asthma

It is a chronic lung disease that narrows and inflames the airways. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. Asthma can be triggered by environmental factors such as smoke, pollen, or cold air. RTS works with patients to develop an asthma action plan and teach them how to use inhalers and other medications properly.

Cystic Fibrosis (CF)

CF is a genetic disorder that affects the lungs and digestive system. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, persistent coughing, wheezing, increased mucus production, and frequent lung infections. There is no cure for CF, but RTs can help patients manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. Treatment includes medication, chest physical therapy, breathing exercises, and pulmonary rehabilitation.

Pneumonia

A viral, bacterial, or fungal infection of the lungs is called pneumonia. Symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, rapid breathing, sweating, and fever. Pneumonia can be serious— even life-threatening— especially for older adults or people with weak immune systems. RTS work with patients to treat the infection and manage their symptoms. Treatment may include antibiotics, oxygen therapy, or mechanical ventilation.

Respiratory therapists play an important role in the treatment of all three of these conditions. They may provide medications to help relieve symptoms, prescribe breathing exercises or physical therapy to improve lung function, or perform tests to assess lung function and identify any underlying issues. In severe cases such as pneumonia or chronic bronchitis, respiratory therapists may also provide oxygen therapy or mechanical ventilation.

Conclusion

Becoming a respiratory therapist requires completing an accredited program and earning state licensure or certification. The process usually takes between 2-4 years to complete depending on the level of education pursued. Most entry-level positions require an associate’s degree while advancement into managerial or specialization roles often requires a bachelor’s degree or above. Therapists with advanced credentials may find it easier to obtain these positions but they are not required for all roles.

With experience and additional training, many therapists go on to specialize their skillset in areas like pediatrics or neonatal care which can help them command higher salaries and better job prospects.