Respiratory Therapy

A Life and Breath Career for You!

Careers in Allied Health

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Diagnostic/Brief Encounter

Nuclear Medicine Tech Medical Technologist Perfusionist Ultrasound Tech Radiography Tech Invasive Cardiology Tech Nurse Anesthetist

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Extended Relationship

Nursing Physician’s Assistant Respiratory Therapist Physical Therapist Occupational Therapist

What is Respiratory Therapy ?

Respiratory therapists have an in-depth knowledge of

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Cardiopulmonary physiology and pathophysiology Patient assessment and cardiopulmonary diagnostics

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Pulmonary disease Advanced life support and critical care

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Pharmacology Biomedical engineering and technology Respiratory therapists effectively

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Assess Educate and Treat patients with heart and lung problems

What Do Respiratory Therapists Do?

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Respiratory therapists:

– Develop implement and modify patient care plans – Apply patient driven protocols and clinical pathways – Implement asthma and COPD disease management programs – Perform therapeutic and diagnostic procedures – Evaluate patients’ home environments – Employ evidence-based clinical practice – Conduct freedom from nicotine programs/counselling

In Summary…

Respiratory Therapists work as physician extenders to evaluate, treat, and care for patients with lung and heart disorders.

What Breathing Disorders Do Respiratory Therapists Treat?

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Asthma Bronchitis Emphysema COPD Cystic Fibrosis Chest Trauma Pneumonia

What Kinds of Patients Do Respiratory Therapists Treat?

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Lung disease patients Cardiac patients Neuromuscular patients Accident victims Premature babies Children Adults The elderly

Respiratory Therapists Perform Patient Assessment

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Patient Interview

• Cough and sputum • Breathlessness and wheezing • Chest illness • Smoking • Occupational history • Home environmental conditions

Respiratory Therapists Perform Physical Assessment

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Physical Assessment

• General appearance • Vital signs • Chest inspection • Breath sounds • Percussion / palpation • Bedside assessment of cardiopulmonary function •

Respiratory Care Plan Development & Implementation

Respiratory Therapists Perform Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures

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Arterial blood gas analysis Pulmonary function studies Sleep studies EKGs and cardiac tests Sputum specimens Stress and exercise testing Gas therapy Medication administration Secretion management Chest physiotherapy Lung expansion therapy Pulmonary rehabilitation

Where Do Respiratory Therapists Work?

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Acute care hospitals Diagnostic laboratories Rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities Patient’s homes Patient transport services Physician offices Convalescent and retirement centers Educational institutions, including colleges and universities Government and industry

How Does the Job Market Look for Respiratory Therapists?

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The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lists Respiratory Therapy as among the fastest growing professions.

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BLS projects a 28% increase in demand for respiratory therapists for the period 2004-2014.

Family Money Magazine lists Respiratory Therapy among the top 50 careers for the 21st century (January/February 2000, p. 52)

How Does the Job Market Look for Respiratory Therapists?

The need for RTs is growing due to:

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large increase in the elderly population

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environmental impact on diseases such as asthma

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smoking and COPD

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technological advances in treatment of cardiopulmonary disease

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advances in treatment of premature babies

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retirements

How Much Do Respiratory Therapists Make?

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Salary varies with educational degree and years of experience.

Supervisors, clinical specialists, and department managers tend to have higher salaries.

Median starting salaries for MU graduate respiratory therapists = currently

$49,535

. Sign-on incentives range from

$3,000

-

$15,000

.

My Aptitudes & Strengths?

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Critical Thinking Interpersonal Relationship Skills Dedication Manual Dexterity Accuracy Focused Under Pressure Integrity Commitment to Life-Long Learning

Is Respiratory Therapy For Me?

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A career as a respiratory therapist can provide:

– the ability to make a difference in peoples lives – interesting and meaningful work – a high tech and exciting career – a people oriented profession – the opportunity to become a respected member of the health professions •

Imagine yourself helping Charlie Adams!

Charlie Adams – 55yo MVA

• Head and chest trauma ED admission • Secure airway - intubate and ventilate • Transfer to ICU • Establish and manage mechanical ventilation • Step-down unit • Airway hygiene, aerosolized meds and O 2 • Discharge to LTAC or home therapy

What is Best About Practicing as a Respiratory Therapist ?

“Our work is very gratifying in that we serve people of all ages who are greatly appreciative of what we do for them. When they are having difficulty breathing, relief is what primarily matters to them. We often work with our patients from the time of their admission through to their discharge, so we get to see the change that results from what we do for them. When we go home at the end of the day we carry a sense of satisfaction that is uncommon in many careers because when we treat and manage our patients there is immediate and measurable improvement. We are also highly respected by physicians, nurses, and others with whom we practice.”

How Do I Become a Student Respiratory Therapist?

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BS Degree in Biology and Respiratory Therapy

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Highly respected 4-year program

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Option in the MU Biology curriculum since 1982

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16-month Professional Phase

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Post BS Option for you!

How Do I Apply to the Respiratory Therapy Program?

1. Transfer & designate Bio/Resp major 2. Apply as a graduate - deadline – March

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Transcripts Recommendations Visits

What Courses Do I Need to Prepare for the Program as a Graduate?

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Biology, Human A&P, Chemistry, Microbiology, Physics, Math, and General Ed coursework .

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Students benefit from a strong background in Math and Science.

Is Respiratory Therapy For Me?

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A career as a respiratory therapist can provide:

– a great job at a good salary – job security – the opportunity to help others – recognition, respect, and appreciation – a sense of accomplishment •

A rewarding career for life

Respiratory Therapists Make a Difference

You can too!!!

Contact: Website: http://muweb.millersville.edu/~rtp

Email:

[email protected]

Millersville University Program in Respiratory Therapy P.O. Box 1002 Millersville, PA 17551 (717) 291-8457