Training is offered at the postsecondary level by hospitals, medical schools, colleges and universities, trade schools, vocational-technical institutes and the Armed Forces. Formal training programs vary in length and in the credential or degree awarded. Some, however, are 4-year bachelor's degree programs. Technician programs last about 1 year and award certificates. Areas of study for respiratory therapy programs include human anatomy and physiology, chemistry, physics, microbiology and mathematics.
Technical courses deal with procedures, equipment and clinical tests.
Forty-two States license respiratory care personnel. Most employers require that applicants for entry-level or generalist positions hold the CRTT or are eligible to take the certification examination. Respiratory therapists, especially those with 4-year degrees, may also advance to supervisory or managerial positions in a respiratory therapy department. Respiratory therapists in home care and equipment rental firms may become branch manager. About 9 out of 10 jobs were in hospital departments of respiratory care, anesthesiology or pulmonary medicine.