Practitioners may utilize life support equipment to treat disease often working in settings where family and patient education are part of the health care plan. The program curriculum is designed to teach the therapeutic use of medical gases, air and oxygen-administering apparatus, environmental control systems, humidification and aerosols, drugs and medications, ventilatory assistance and control, cheat physiotherapy and breathing exercise, and pulmonary rehabilitation and home care. Graduates of this program are eligible for state licensure examinations, as well as credentialing.
Some graduates work in medical sales.
This includes selling life-support technology and pharmacological agents. Job Outlook Respiratory therapists are the primary caregivers of treatment and diagnostic services to patients who suffer from pulmonary and cardiovascular disease. Respiratory care is one of the 20 fastest growing occupations and one of the fastest growing health professions with an expected growth in the nineties and next century of 48 percent as predicted by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics. In the future, the number of acute care facilities will continue to decline with a steady growth in skilled nursing facilities, home care companies, and clinics. Respiratory therapists will work in all care venues and as primary caregivers to cardiore spiratory patients.