Career Definition for a Respiratory Therapy Technician
A respiratory technician is an entry-level professional in the field of respiratory medicine. He or she works under the supervision of a respiratory therapist to care for people with illnesses including pneumonia, asthma, and chronic bronchitis. Once a medical protocol has been established, the respiratory technician works closely with a patient to ensure treatments are being received correctly, keeps a record of the patient's therapy and assesses the patient's response to treatment. A respiratory technician works in a variety of settings, including nursing homes, hospitals, and therapy centers.
| Education | Two-year degree required |
| Job Skills | Working under stress, team player, interest in continuing education, compassion |
| Median Salary (2021)* | $58,750 for healthcare practitioners and technical workers |
| Job Growth (2021-2031)* | 6% for healthcare practitioners and technical workers |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Required Education
A 2-year degree in the field of respiratory therapy is required to begin a career in respiratory medicine. Coursework will lean heavily to the sciences, such as anatomy, physiology, and biology, but specialized information in medical record keeping, diagnostics, and disease prevention should also be expected. All states but Alaska required a license to work as a respiratory technician as of 2017. Many respiratory therapists choose to continue their education and seek further licensing in order to advance their career in respiratory medicine.
Required Skills
Respiratory technicians must be able to work under stressful situations and take direction from others. They must be compassionate, caring team players with the patience to work with small children as well as the elderly. A successful respiratory technician must also be interested in learning new things since continued career education is customary.
Career and Economic Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects an increase of 6% for healthcare practitioners and technical workers, including respiratory therapy technicians from 2021-2031 and in May 2021, earned a median annual income of $58,750, per the BLS. The demand for respiratory technicians reaches from the largest hospitals to the smallest clinics, so a newly licensed respiratory technician may be in a favorable position wherever he or she prefers to seek employment.
Alternate Career Options
To advance in the healthcare field, here are some other career options:
Respiratory Therapist
Those who would rather supervise the respiratory therapy technicians might be interested in pursuing careers as respiratory therapists. Many enter the profession with associate's degrees, although bachelor's degrees are also available. Much faster than average employment growth of 14% was predicted by the BLS for this occupation from 2021-2031. In 2021, these therapists earned a median annual salary of $61,830, according to the BLS.
Registered Nurse
Another health-related profession that you may enter with two years of training is registered nursing. These professionals provide patient care for various types of health conditions. In 2021, the BLS reported an annual median wage of $77,600 for registered nurses and predicted as fast as the average job growth of 6% during the decade spanning 2021-2031.
