Respiratory Therapist It’s Your Choice... Choose to care! Promoting Health Careers in Mississippi A division of Mississippi Hospital Association.

Respiratory Therapist

It’s Your Choice...It’s Your Choice...

Choose to care!Choose to care!

Promoting Health Careers in MississippiA division of Mississippi Hospital Association

Position Responsibilities

Respiratory therapists evaluate, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders. They test the capacity of patients’ lungs and analyze oxygen carbon dioxide concentration.

They also measure the patient's potential for hydrogen which indicates the acidity or alkalinity levels of the blood. Lung capacity is measured by having the patient breathe into an instrument that gauges the volume and flow of oxygen during inhalation and exhalation.

By comparing the readings with the norms for the patient's age, height, weight and sex, a respiratory therapist can determine whether lung deficiencies exist.

They are also responsible for drawing blood samples to test patients' carbon dioxide and pH levels.

Work Environment

Five out of every six respiratory therapists work in a hospital setting. However, you will also find respiratory therapists in physician offices, nursing homes, home use respiratory equipment suppliers and in respiratory clinics.

High School Preparation

High school students interested in a career in respiratory therapy should take courses in biology, health, mathematics, chemistry physics, English, computer skills, geometry, emergency medical technology and health occupations/ medical professions education.

College Requirements

There are two credentialing levels for respiratory practitioners. They include certified respiratory therapy technician and registered respiratory therapist. The certified respiratory therapy technician generally graduates after a one-year certificate program. This classification administers general respiratory care and may assume clinical responsibilities or specific treatments. The registered respiratory therapist generally graduates from a two-year Associate Degree program. They must then take a national examination to become registered.

Students interested in respiratory technology should contact schools for information on admission and course of study.

Educational Institutions

Copiah-Lincoln CCNatchez Campus30 Campus Drive Natchez, MS 39120Phone: (601) 442-9111

Hinds CC Nursing/Allied Health Center1750 Chadwick Dr. Jackson, MS 39204Phone: (601) 372-6507

Itawamba CCFulton Campus602 West Hill St. Fulton, MS 38843Phone: (662) 862-3101

Meridian CCMeridian Campus910 Hwy. 19 North Meridian, MS 39307Phone: (601) 483-8241

MS Gulf Coast CCJackson County CampusP.O. Box 100 Gautier, MS 39553Phone: (228) 497-9602

Northeast MS CCBooneville Campus101 Cunningham Blvd. Booneville, MS 38829Phone: (662) 728-7751

Northwest MS CCDeSoto Campus5197 WE Ross Parkway Southaven, MS 38671Phone: (662) 342-1570

Pearl River CCForrest County Vo-Tech5448 US Hwy 49 South Hattiesburg, MS 39401Phone: (601) 544-5555

Salary Range

Average Annual Salary--$36,960Salary Range--$22,360 to $61,300

Career Outlook

Job opportunities for respiratory therapists are expected to grow between 21 - 35% over the next 10 years.

They will experience job growth faster than the average for all occupations in the United States.

This job growth is due in part to the aging of the baby boomer generation, which has increased the number of individuals in the middle age to elderly portion of the population. This age group is more likely to suffer illnesses that affect heart and lung functions.

Professional Organizations

American Association of Respiratory Care11030 Ables LaneDallas, TX 75229Phone: (972) 243-2272Fax: (972) 484-2720 or Fax: (972) 484-6010E-mail: [email protected]: www.aarc.org

The National Board of Respiratory Care8310 Nieman RoadLenexa, KS 66214-1579Phone: (913) 599-4200Fax: (913) 541-0156E-mail: [email protected]: www.nbrc.org

Mississippi Society for Respiratory CareP.O. Box 5152Jackson, MS 39296E-mail: [email protected]: www.msrcweb.com

A division of Mississippi Hospital Association

MHA Health Careers Center6425 Lakeover Road (39213)P.O. Box 16444Jackson, MS 39236-6444Phone (601) 982-3251Fax (601) 368-3200

www.mshealthcareers.com