Career Tips & Advice

What does it take to become a respiratory therapist?

Concorde Staff

Concorde Staff

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Updated May 29, 2018. The information contained in this blog is current and accurate as of this date.
respiratory therapist programs

Respiratory therapy is a niche within health care that is garnering a lot of buzz. Because respiratory therapy and most all other healthcare professions are expected to grow in the forthcoming years, many individuals are looking at respiratory therapist programs for their next career move.

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Respiratory therapists are expected to see a 23% growth rate between 2016-26, which is faster than the average of all occupations. In 2016, there were just over 130,000 jobs and, by 2026, an additional 30,500 jobs are projected to be added to the field.

 

Job Duties of a Respiratory Therapist

What does a respiratory therapist do exactly? They treat patients who struggle with the basic function of breathing. A respiratory therapist works closely with individuals to manage conditions like asthma, emphysema, and other chronic respiratory diseases.

One important question to consider when choosing a career is, what demographic of people you would like to work with on a daily basis. In respiratory therapy, you might work with premature infants who were born with underdeveloped lungs to elderly patients fighting off disease.

A respiratory therapist is often brought in on emergency cases, such as a patient who has experienced a heart attack or who has recently drowned.

 

Job requirements

respiratory therapist gives a breathing treatment to older woman

 

To become a respiratory therapist, you will be required to obtain an associate degree and national licensure, which requirements vary by state.

At Concorde Career college, you could finish schooling in as few as 17 months or less than 2 years.

 

Are you the right fit?

A kind, friendly, service-oriented person would be an ideal candidate for respiratory therapist programs. Respiratory therapists who are educated at the associate level have the opportunity to grow in their careers by earning a bachelor's degree as well.

Another consideration to make while looking into respiratory therapist programs is past experience in science courses. Respiratory therapist programs require courses such as human anatomy and physiology, chemistry, pharmacology, as well as math. A strong track record of success in these classes can help you feel more confident as you pursue a respiratory therapy program.

 

Get started today

Concorde is looking for compassionate and patient individuals for their programs. If this is you, contact your Concorde Admissions Team today to find out if being a respiratory therapist or another health care program is the right fit for you.

 

Interested In How To Become a Respiratory Therapist?

Click here to explore Respiratory Therapy Programs near you!

 

Take The Next Step Towards a Brighter Future

Interested in learning more about our Respiratory Therapy program? We have a Concorde representative ready to talk about what matters most to you. Get answers about start dates, curriculum, financial aid, scholarships and more!

  1. Program length may be subject to change dependent on transfer credits and course load. Please refer to current course catalog for more information. Concorde does not guarantee admittance, graduation, subsequent employment or salary amount.

  2. Professional certification is not a requirement for graduation, may not be a requirement for employment nor does it guarantee employment.

  3. Financial aid is available to those who qualify but may not be available for all programs. Concorde does not guarantee financial aid or scholarship awards or amounts.

  4. Clinical hour requirements and delivery may vary by campus location and may be subject to change. Concorde does not guarantee clinical site assignments based upon student preference or geographic convenience; nor do clinical experiences guarantee graduation, post-clinical employment or salary outcomes.

  5. Registration and certification requirements for taking and passing these examinations are not controlled by Concorde, but by outside agencies, and are subject to change by the agency without notice. Therefore, Concorde cannot guarantee that graduates will be eligible to take these exams, at all or at any specific time, regardless of their eligibility status upon enrollment.

  6. Externships are a non-paid in-person learning experience, whose length and location may be subject to change. Concorde does not guarantee externship placement, graduation, post-externship employment or salary outcomes.