Prof Interest Faculty Services Respiratory care is the health care specialty involved in the diagnosis, treatment and preventive care of patients with disorders of the heart and lungs. The professionals who provide this care are called Respiratory therapists . Respiratory therapists give medical gases, administer aerosolized drugs, deliver bronchial hygiene therapy, and assist with resuscitation. Respiratory therapists are responsible for inserting and maintaining artificial airways and overseeing the management of critically ill patients in need of artificial life support. Respiratory therapists also provide pulmonary rehabilitation and help educate patients, family members and the public at large regarding the treatment and prevention of lung diseases.
Most respiratory therapists work in hospitals.
In this setting they care for patients on medical and surgical wards, and in emergency rooms, neonatal, adult and cardiac intensive care units, and outpatient departments. Respiratory therapist also provide care in patients' homes, rehabilitative centers and nursing homes, as well as other health care facilities. For experienced therapists with advanced education, jobs also exist in areas such as supervision, education, and equipment sales and marketing. In New Jersey, most graduates secure gainful employment within 30-60 days of program completion. It is therefore common for recent graduates to hold down two or more jobs at the same time.