Also called: RT, RRT
Helps patients breathe, from premature babies to COVID patients to people with asthma.
Gets paged to a code blue to help squeeze oxygen into a patient's lungs, manages ventilators in the ICU, and gives breathing treatments on the floors. Also attends high-risk deliveries in case a newborn needs help breathing.
BLS May 2024.
Associate's degree (2-year), about 2 years after high school. Associate degree in respiratory therapy (bachelor's increasingly common) plus RRT credential and state license.
Ways in: 2-year college, 4-year college, Certification. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Respiratory Therapy.
Growing much faster than average (about 11% over 10 years). Much faster than average.
Low risk for 10 years. Ventilators get smarter at self-adjusting, but codes, intubation support and bedside care in the ICU stay hands-on.
Classes: Biology, Chemistry, Algebra II, Health-science CTE.
Official data: O*NET occupation 29-1126.
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