What do respiratory therapists do?
They are members of the health care team that provide respiratory care for patients with heart and lung disorders. Typicaly, respiratory care practitioners are a vital part ot the hospital's livesaving response team that answers patient emergencies.
Where do respiratory therapists work?
While most respiratory care practitioners work in hospitals, an increasing number of them have branched out into alternate care settings, such as nursing homes, physicians' offices, home health agencies, specialized care hospitals, medical equipment supply companies, and patients' homes.
What education and training is needed to become a respiratory therapist?
Students must attend college for two to four years studying physics, mathematics, microbiology, anatomy and physiology, chemistry, and biology.