It can be argued that nothing is more important than breath. Which is why so many are drawn to a career as a respiratory therapist. Respiratory therapists help patients breathe better, taking care of patients suffering from chronic or acute illnesses like asthma or pneumonia.

Learn how to become a respiratory therapist and answer the question of how long does it take to become a respiratory therapist, as well as find out what to look for in respiratory therapy training, and more about this exciting health care career.

Why Become a Respiratory Therapist?

Respiratory therapists possess a set of specialized skills that play a vital role in the healthcare industry.

They typically work in various areas of a hospital, including emergency rooms, critical care units, and neonatal intensive care units.8  Respiratory therapists can choose to work as general respiratory therapists or specialize in a specific area, like pediatric, geriatric, critical care, or home care.  Another benefit of this career is the potential for flexibility. Depending on the setting you work in, you may have some flexibility in your schedule.

If helping people is important to you, you’ll love being a respiratory therapist. At the end of the day, you’ll know that you have truly made a difference in people’s lives.

Skills for Respiratory Therapists

Respiratory therapy is a skilled industry. There are many technical abilities you will need to learn to pursue this career, including physiotherapy and other respiratory treatments. Those skills can be learned at various Respiratory Care programs. There are, however, so-called “soft skills” and traits that may make one more suited for a career in respiratory therapy. According to O*NET, these can include:

• Active Listening— Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Critical Thinking— Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Speaking— Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Active Learning— Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• Service Orientation— Actively looking for ways to help people.
• Social Perceptiveness— Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
• Complex Problem Solving— Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Judgment and Decision Making— Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Time Management— Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
• Inductive Reasoning— The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions.
• Problem Sensitivity— The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
• Deductive Reasoning— The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• Information Ordering— The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules.
• Perceptual Speed— The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns.

What to Look for in a Respiratory Therapy Training

Choosing the right school to pursue a respiratory therapy education is a big decision. The right training can open doors for better jobs and possibly salary down the line. While many institutions may offer respiratory therapy degrees, it’s important that you look for the one that fits your goals and lifestyle.

A few core things to look for when considering Respiratory Care programs include:

• Small class sizes. When learning to be a Respiratory Therapist you want individual attention from your instructor.
• Hands-on training. When dealing with tasks like drawing blood and performing physiotherapy, it’s important that you have time to practice those skills hands-on.
• Externships or career training.Most programs include an opportunity to learn in the real world before you even graduate! You’ll earn an impressive experience that looks great on your resume.
• Cost. Education is a major investment, but it’s an investment in your future. At Carrington College and many other institutions, we participate in most financial assistance programs, both federal and state, as well as private financing. Student loans, grants, and scholarships are available to those who qualify. For complete information on current tuition costs, please see the academic catalog.

How Long is Respiratory Therapy Training

If you’re wondering how many years to become a respiratory therapist, a typical respiratory therapy degree can be obtained in as few as two years. The Respiratory Care program at Carrington College can be completed in as few as 19 months.

What Will I Learn in Respiratory Therapist Training

Most Respiratory Care programs cover knowledge of anatomy and physiology of cardiac and respiratory systems and biochemical and cellular functions of the human body, as well as knowledge of the general principles of pharmacology and cardiopulmonary drugs including knowledge of indications, doses, calculations, mechanisms of action and adverse effects.

Skills in patient examination, assessment, intervention and treatment planning, especially in relation to the pathophysiology of cardiopulmonary diseases, are a big part of the program. Additionally, knowledge and skills in the principles and applications of emergency medicine, resuscitation equipment, intubation, airway clearance, chest tubes and tracheostomy care should be taught.

Start Training for Your Career in Respiratory Therapy With Carrington College

Carrington College is experienced in turning out highly trained respiratory therapists who should be ready to confidently enter the work world. Carrington College features small class sizes, hands-on training, skills labs and experiencedfaculty. Learn more about the Carrington College Respiratory Care program.

Carrington’s Respiratory Care Faculty and Students

Carrington College takes a personal approach to preparing graduates for professional success. Our faculty members are experienced and passionate about helping you reach your career goals—whether they involve furthering your healthcare career or changing industries altogether.

With students of different backgrounds and ages, you’ll develop respiratory therapist skills in a robust community. Carrington College cares that you’re not just a face in a classroom. Your peers and teachers will know and care about you and your career.

Find Respiratory Therapist Training Near Me

Carrington College’s Respiratory Care program is available at three locations in Arizona, California, and Nevada. Find out if one of our locations is right for you.