What Do Respiratory Therapists Do?
Respiratory therapists assess, treat, and care for patients with breathing difficulties or other cardiopulmonary problems caused by asthma, smoking, pneumonia, heart failure, cystic fibrosis, chest injuries, and other disorders. They work with all types of patients, ranging from premature infants whose lungs are not fully developed to elderly people whose lungs are diseased. They provide temporary relief to patients with chronic asthma or emphysema and give emergency care to patients who are victims of a heart attack, stroke, drowning, or shock.
Respiratory therapists use various tests to evaluate patients. They measure a patient’s lung capacity with an instrument that checks the volume and flow of oxygen when inhaling and exhaling. They also use tests to measure blood pH and the concentration of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen in the blood. They provide treatment to patients, including connecting patients to ventilators, monitoring patients on ventilators, and aspirating patients who have a build-up of mucus in their lungs. Therapists perform regular assessments of patients and equipment. For example, if a patient appears to be having difficulty breathing or if the oxygen, carbon dioxide, or pH level of a patient’s blood is abnormal, therapists may adjust the ventilator setting according to the doctor’s orders or check the equipment for mechanical problems.
Practicing under the direction of a physician, respiratory therapists assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care, therapeutic treatments, and diagnostic procedures. They also supervise respiratory therapy technicians.
For more information about respiratory therapists, go to http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/respiratory-therapists.htm and the American Association for Respiratory Care at: http://www.aarc.org.
Where Do Respiratory Therapists Work?
The vast majority of respiratory therapists work in hospitals. Others may work in nursing care facilities or even travel to patients’ homes. Most respiratory therapists work full time, and because they work in medical facilities, they may work evening, night, or weekend hours.
What Do Respiratory Therapists Earn?
In 2022, the average annual income reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for respiratory therapists in the United States was $74,310. The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) reports that, in 2023, respiratory therapists in New York earned a median annual salary of $93,938 (respiratory therapists in the 25th percentile made approximately $73,583 while those in the 75th percentile made approximately $105,587).
Supply and Demand
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the number of jobs for respiratory therapists in the U.S. will increase by 14% between 2021 and 2031. The New York State Department of Labor projects that the number of jobs for respiratory therapists in the state will increase by 31% between 2020 and 2030.
With an increased need for respiratory care as a result of illnesses associated with aging, the demand for respiratory therapists is expected to be strong and job opportunities will remain good.
For more information on projections of respiratory therapists by New York labor regions, 2018-2028, click here.
Educational Program Requirements
For respiratory therapists, an associate degree is the minimum educational requirement, but a bachelor’s or master’s degree may be important for advancement.
Among the areas of study in respiratory therapy programs are human anatomy and physiology, chemistry, physics, microbiology, pharmacology, and mathematics. Other courses deal with therapeutic and diagnostic procedures and tests, equipment, patient assessment, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the application of clinical practice guidelines, patient care outside of hospitals, cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, and respiratory health promotion and disease prevention.
For a list of accredited respiratory therapy programs in New York click here.
New York Licensure Requirements
To be licensed in New York, respiratory therapists must be graduates of an approved respiratory therapy program and pass the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) Certified Respiratory Therapist examination (CRT) and the Registry Examination (RRT) (written and simulation exams). For more information on New York state licensure requirements, go to: https://www.op.nysed.gov/professions/respiratory-therapists/license-requirements. For more information on examination requirements, go to: http://www.nbrc.org/.
Financial Support
The American Respiratory Care Foundation offers scholarships to respiratory therapy students and provides links to other financial aid sites. For more information, go to: http://www.arcfoundation.org/awards/.
Educational Programs in New York
| Borough of Manhattan Community College 199 Chambers Street New York, NY 10007 (212) 220-8335 or (212) 220-8336 |
Erie Community College North Campus 6205 Main Street Williamsville, NY 14221 (716) 851-1455 |
| Genesee Community College One College Road Batavia, NY 14020 (585) 343-0055 ext.6860 |
Hudson Valley Community College 80 Vandenburgh Avenue Troy, NY 12180 (518) 629-7454 |
| Long Island University Brooklyn Campus 1 University Plaza Brooklyn, NY 11201-8423 (718) 488-1011 |
Mohawk Valley Community College 1101 Sherman Dr. Utica, NY 13501 (315) 792-5400 and 1101 Floyd Ave Rome, NY 13440 (315) 339-3470 |
| Molloy University 1000 Hempstead Avenue Rockville Centre, NY 11571-5002 (516) 323-3387or (516) 323-3000 or (888) 4-MOLLOY |
Nassau Community College One Education Drive Garden City, NY 11530 (516) 572-9640 |
| Stony Brook University School of Health Technology and Management 101 Nicolls Rd Stony Brook, NY 11794-8203 (631) 444-2252 |
SUNY Upstate Medical University College of Health Professions 788 Irving Avenue Syracuse, NY 13210 (315) 464-5580 |
| Westchester Community College 75 Grasslands Road Valhalla, NY 10595 (914) 606-6883 |
Sullivan County Community College 112 College Road Loch Sheldrake, NY 12759 (845) 434-575 |
| Mandl School The College of Allied Health 254 W 54th Street New York, NY 10019 212-247-3434 |
Additional Web Links
For more information about respiratory therapists, go to
The New York State Society for Respiratory Care Web site:http://www.nyssrc.org/
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