Respiratory Therapy technician

Duties and Responsibilities: Respiratory therapy technicians are also called respiratory therapy assistants, respiratory care assistants or respiratory therapist assistants. They assist respiratory therapists (RT) and doctors to provide medical treatment to people that have breathing and cardiopulmonary problems such as asthma or emphysema. They can also provide medical aid under the direction of RT’s to people suffering from shock, heart attack and drowning as well as adults that have lungs problems or babies with undeveloped lungs. The on-the-job training includes taking part in examinations, administering treatments and therapy, and providing nursing care for patients suffering from breathing and cardiopulmonary difficulties. Respiratory therapy technicians are employed by hospitals and nursing homes, and at respiratory therapy offices and clinics. Most of the positions are part time, to accommodate students’ class schedules, though some full-time positions are available.

Salary: $71,000