Traveling Respiratory Therapists
Respiratory therapists are primarily tasked, under the supervision of physician, with the evaluation and treatment of patients with breathing problems, such as asthma. They may also be called on to attend to patients with other cardiovascular conditions that can include stroke victims or heart attack patients. The job can entail physical exams, diagnostic procedures and the administering of medication. The principle difference between traveling and staff respiratory therapists is that traveling respiratory therapists fulfill short-term contracts in various locations.
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Education and Requirements
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The educational requirement for entry level positions as a respiratory therapist (traveling or staff) is an associate degree. There are also bachelor's and master's degree programs available. The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that, as of 2006, 379 programs in respiratory therapy have accreditation; 45 of these programs are for entry level training. Every state, with the exceptions of Alaska and Hawaii, requires respiratory therapists to be licensed. Licensure requires meeting minimum requirements set out by and passing an exam administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). Respiratory therapists may also choose to become Registered Respiratory Therapists, which requires additional testing from the NBRC.
Duties
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Traveling respiratory therapists perform the same duties as staff respiratory therapists. These duties can include conferring with physicians to design an appropriate approach for a patient's care. They may perform breathing tests and run blood gas analysis. They are responsible for connecting patients to oxygen tubes or ventilators and monitoring the equipment. In residential settings, respiratory therapists may teach patients how to use and monitor equipment. Respiratory therapists treat a wide range of patients, ranging from premature babies to elderly patients in critical care.
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Work Environments
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Traveling respiratory therapists can be employed in virtually any medical setting. The vast majority, approximately 80 percent of all respiratory therapists, work in hospital settings. Traveling respiratory therapists may be employed to cover an extra workload during a transition between facilities or for leaves of absence, while a replacement is sought for a permanent position, or to attend to residential patients for a period of time. Contract periods vary but generally fall between two and six months.
Employment
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Traveling respiratory therapists typically work through agencies that specialize in placing temporary medical staff. These agencies generally offer an hourly wage that is equivalent, on average, to the national standard. Payroll is handled through direct deposit or check. Insurance is provided through the agency and housing is typically covered by the agency. Respiratory therapists earn, on average, approximately $40,000 dollars a year according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Future
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The outlook for employment of respiratory therapists as a group is good, primarily as a result of the growth of the elderly population and the advancing age of the baby boomers. Advancing age is frequently accompanied by respiratory conditions that require respiratory care specialists such as pneumonia and heart disease. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also notes that respiratory therapists are being tapped to take on role in other areas of care, including disease prevention and emergency care.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Hamed Saber
