Daily responsibilities include various respiratory care modalities in the treatment of pulmonary diseases and advanced critical care procedures. The respiratory technician is also competent in the skillful use of diagnostic tools to accurately diagnose the severity of respiratory dysfunction in patients. A national shortage of respiratory therapy technicians has been identified. Studies have indicated that respiratory therapy technicians are among the top 20 fastest-growing professions during the next 20 years. The future for respiratory therapy technicians looks bright.
Career opportunities are available throughout the country in rural and metropolitan areas.
The need for the respiratory therapy technician's expertise is not limited to the hospital. Respiratory therapy technicians can also work in nursing homes, long-term care facilities, physicians' offices, home care, and industry. One of the fastest-growing areas of employment for the respiratory therapy technician is outside the acute care setting. Respiratory therapy technicians can own or work in home care companies. Physicians that specialize in the treatment of pulmonary disease, employ respiratory therapy technicians to provide treatment and education to patients with pulmonary disease.