Respiratory Therapy Assistant

Respiratory therapy technicians are also called respiratory therapy assistants, respiratory care assistants or respiratory therapist assistants. They assist respiratory therapists (RT) and doctors to provide medical treatment to people that have breathing and cardiopulmonary problems such as asthma or emphysema. They can also provide medical aid under the direction of RT’s to people suffering from shock, heart attack and drowning as well as adults that have lungs problems or babies with undeveloped lungs. The responsibilities of a respiratory therapy technician include:

·       Under the direction of a licensed respiratory therapist or doctor, conduct examinations and tests on patients

·       Help provide breathing and oxygen therapy

·       Administer medication

·       Collect blood samples from patients for laboratory testing

·       Monitor patients’ vital signs and responses to treatment

Average Salary:  $46,265-$56,146

Respiratory therapy technicians must be registered. Websites maintained by state medical-licensing boards and departments of health have information about how to register.

Most hospitals and other employers, and some states, mandate that technicians be certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, basic life support, and basic cardiac life support. Colleges, hospitals, and other institutions offer the classes required to earn the certificates.