Respiratory Therapy Online Degree Programs

Respiratory therapy patients range from new born and premature babies born with underdeveloped lungs, elderly patients with different lung and heart conditions etc. Respiratory therapists perform diagnostic tests and procedures. They provide breathing treatments and respiratory care, and intensive care services, care for chronically ill patients and those on life support. They also train their patients to use respiratory equipment. In other cases they may be required to supervise other staff for example respiratory technicians and respiratory assistants.

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Selected Respiratory Therapy Online Degree Programs

Grand Canyon University

• BS in Respiratory Care

• AS - Advanced Respiratory Care
• BS - Respiratory Care

• Online Respiratory Therapy Degree
• The Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy (BSRT)

To become a licensed respiratory therapist, you can work toward an associate degree in respiratory therapy. However, for career advancement bachelor's or master's degree is necessary. Respiratory therapy courses include human anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, pathophysiology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and microbiology. Specific courses focus on diagnostic procedures, and patient assessment. Almost all states require respiratory therapists to be licensed. This means that you have to graduate from an accredited respiratory therapy program and pass a respiratory therapy licensing exam.

Advanced respiratory therapy certification is available for graduates of advanced respiratory therapy programs who successfully pass two additional licensing exams. In most cases, an advanced certification is required. To be respiratory therapists to work in supervisory positions and intensive care facilities or departments. A respiratory therapy graduate from an respiratory therapy online degree program can become either a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) or a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) as required by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).

• Cardiac and Renal Anatomy and Physiology
• Airway Management
• Arterial Blood Gases
• Medical Gas Therapy
• Respiratory Care Protocol
• Cardiopulmonary Pharmacology
• Pulmonary Anatomy and Physiology
• Microbiology and Decontamination
• Lung Hyperinflation Therapy
• Advanced Cardiopulmonary Physiology
• Pulmonary Function Testing
• Polysomnography

Respiratory Therapy Careers

With an respiratory therapy online degree you would work under the supervision of a medical doctor. They are responsible many therapeutic treatments and diagnostic procedures. They work with patients who have conditions such as pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma and emphysema. They also work with patients who have lung infections that result from chemical and smoke, as well as patients who are recovering from patients that have had strokes, heart attacks, shock, or drowning. Hence, a primary responsibility is to ensure that they maintaining the patients oxygen levels.

Expected Salary and Projected Career Growth

About 80% of licensed respiratory therapists work in hospitals. Others work in nursing homes, private practice, and home health care. Career prospects with a respiratory therapy masters are looking quite positive, with the employment market expected to grow by about 19% in the United States. The growth trends are influenced by a large aging baby boomer generation, as well as the need to have qualified respiratory therapists working in neo-natal care and cardiopulmonary care.

The United States Department of Labor reports the median average annual salary for respiratory therapists to be around $48,000. The median registered respiratory therapist salary ranges from about $51,000 to $58,000 a year. Certified and licensed respiratory therapists earn an annual median income ranging from 43,400 to $48,800. You can work toward your professional development by completing a respiratory therapy online degree.