is anyone here a respiratory therapist?

[cepmom]

I'm currently taking classes towards a Radiologic Tech program but I have started thinking about Respiratory Therapy as well. I don't have any of the rad tech specific classes done yet, so what I have taken will also apply toward the Respiratory Therapy program. What can you tell me about the program,about the job itself, the job market etc? Seems like every hospital job postings I look at have Respiratory Therapist listed as a "hot job"...is there a great need right now for Respiratory Therapists? I am going to make an appt to talk to someone at the school also, but thought I'd get some input from someone who is already in the profession. TIA!

 

[Carlyzmom]

OK, I am neither, but I am an RN that works in the Radiology Department. I LOVE working in that dept. I think being a Rad Tech would be great! I have always thought that Resp. Therapy would not be a lot of fun because of the nature of what you are dealing with. I'm trying not to be too graphic and gross, but all of the coughing up stuff....
That said, if it doesn't bother you, you may want to go with the field that offers more chances for employment.
Good luck in your decision. I think the medical field is a great profession!

 

[cepmom]

thanks Carlyzmom...I appreciate your input!

 

[snoopy two]

I think you should stick with radiography. There are so many different specialities you can work into, such as MRI, mammo, cath lab. Respiratory is a great career, too, but I think there are more opportunities in radiography. I'm currently headed into cardiac ultrasound. Should be fun!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Hmm, are pay scales about the same? I think you need to look at what you'll be working with and types of employment, hours available, etc.

I'd think that with radiology, most of the hours available will be during the daytime and you could work in either a hospital or outpatient setting. Fairly pleasant job with lots of choices of fields of specialty (ie OB/GYN, breast, oncology, nuclear med, etc.) In hospitals, most radiolologic procedures are done during the daytime with a few done at night, certainly nowhere near what's done during the daytime. So if you want a night job, you might be somewhat limited here.

Respiratory therapists for the most part are going to be employed at rehabs and hospitals, on all shifts. However, as a pp mentioned, secretions will be a speciality. Chronic respiratory care may be where most of the jobs lie. I actually love the respiratory therapists I work with (in a hospital) as they're one of the most pleasant groups as a whole that I work with. They seem happy in their jobs - which, in the hospital deal mostly with emergencies and maintaining ventilated patients in ICUs. It's probably not a profession for the squeamish.

Have you considered nursing? It's kind of along the same lines (with more in depth people interaction, at least initially in training and first employment, though then you can branch out) but there are more choices for employment (which eventually will get better, more than likely; at least as good as the two you're considering).

 

[sunnyday123]

I think you would have to have a really, really strong stomach. When my Dad was in the hospital and they took him off the ventilator, my brother stayed in the room. He said it was pretty bad, and it's been about a year and he still can't talk about it.

I'm going for cardiac sonography, around here the pay grade is higher than for a respitory therapist, and I wouldn't have to carry smelling salts with me. For me.

 

[leshunlenese]

I am in my 3rd semester of respiratory school. and i agree that you have to have a strong stomach becasue you are dealing with mucus and secretions and it can smell but so deos feces.I say if u can deal with poop be a nurse and if you can deal with the waist up and secretions the go for respiratory. u can specialize with RT, after u get certified you can specialize in sleep studies,PFT OR PULMONARY FUCNTION TESTING which deosnt involve the vent pts becasue they are breathing test that are effort dependent, also there is peds/neonates which is what i want to do. you can also be an asthma educator, or you can work in home care, and dont forget sales as well. I must say i wasnt sure if i would like it but i do. i also thought about radiology but i got accepted into respiratory 1st . Good luck with your decision

 

[LuvtheMouse88]

I have been a RT for almost 3 years now. I love it. Yes you deal with mucous but come on we all blow our nose right and you wear gloves. Would much rather suction snot then wipe butt or clean up vomit. (Thank you for the wonderful nurses who do this ) RT is a great field. There is def job security. You don't have as many avenues as say nursing but you can do a lot with a 2 yr degree and the pay is pretty good. It will be shift work. Usually 12 hrs in a hospital setting. There are however other avenues such as sleep studies, PFT's, home care, and echocardiograms. You can become an asthma educator. There is also a new program to become a COPD educator. This is going to become a vital part of the new health care reform with teaching patients about how to improve quality of life, taking their meds properly to prevent future hospitalizations, etc. As far as the school part, 2 years with clinicals weekly. You learn a lot but it is great. If you want to know more just send me a pm. I will say in my hospital they have really cut back on the rad techs.

 

[Tinkh]

I am in school for respiratory therapy. Love it and it is challenging. Last years graduating Radiology class are having a lot of trouble finding jobs. The respiratory therapy grads all were employed (except one) as of last month. Looked into nursing, surgery tech, radiology, and respiratory. I chose respiratory because I can NOT take poop. Truly would not be able to deal with that on a regular basis. To each his own and I think that all of us that have chosen healthcare do so in the interest of helping others. Just follow your heart. Radiology and respiratory are two very different fields.

 

[Pigeon]

Google the Occupational Outlook Handbook. It will give you an overview of both of these fields. On average, respiratory therapists make significantly less money than radiation therapists.

 

[momof1princess]

as an asthmatic who gets severe bronchitis at least once per year (once so bad i even stopped breathing), all i can say is THANK GOD FOR RESPIRATORY THERAPISTS! you guys are AWESOME, and i'm so grateful for everything you do

 

[cepmom]

Google the Occupational Outlook Handbook. It will give you an overview of both of these fields. On average, respiratory therapists make significantly less money than radiation therapists.

thanks, I will check that out. I'm not going for radiation therapy, but radiologic technology (taking x-rays etc)
my school has info sessions on both programs coming up so I am going to go to them both and see what they have to say. Thanks for all the input!

 

[Tinkh]

Google the Occupational Outlook Handbook. It will give you an overview of both of these fields. On average, respiratory therapists make significantly less money than radiation therapists.

Respiratory therapists make more than radiology techs. Radiation therapists deliver chemo etc. Whole different ballgame.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Radiation therapists deliver chemo etc

Please explain.

 

[GDUL]

I'm currently taking classes towards a Radiologic Tech program but I have started thinking about Respiratory Therapy as well. I don't have any of the rad tech specific classes done yet, so what I have taken will also apply toward the Respiratory Therapy program. What can you tell me about the program,about the job itself, the job market etc? Seems like every hospital job postings I look at have Respiratory Therapist listed as a "hot job"...is there a great need right now for Respiratory Therapists? I am going to make an appt to talk to someone at the school also, but thought I'd get some input from someone who is already in the profession. TIA!

I have been an RT (or RCP if you'd rather!) since 1979. I have found it to be a very rewarding career! I have worked in a hospital that was a trauma center, a hospital that was an open - heart facility, taught clinical RT for a local RT program, worked for a major homecare company, performed home sleep studies, worked for a major respiratory equipment manufacturer, and am now doing consulting for another major respiratory equipment manufacturer. There are many paths that you can take with an RT degree.

I believe that you do have to have a strong constitution to be an RT - you could find yourself in situations where a patient's life is in your hands. It's not for the squeamish. You also have to be able to work with patients on a personal level.

RTs here in Michigan are making a decent living. I also know RTs who have gone into sales that are making over 6 figures if you wanted to go down that path. That can be pretty stressful though as you have strict sales quotas and they don't take too kindly to those missing them!

 

[Tinkh]

Please explain.

Ok from the best of my knowledge this is a relatively newer Allied Health field. They are used quite frequently in other countries, but in the US the radiation therapists are babies compared to the other fields. They are becoming very important resources for delivering meds to patients on chemo or other drug protocols. They also use the equipment like CT to find tumors to deliver radiation to them etc. I am not sure if this all is 100 percent accurate for what their job is, but it is very close. The problem with becoming a radiation therapist is that there are VERY few accredited programs in this country. In Ohio (where I live) there is only one accredited program in the entire state at the associates level. Many in Allied Health have previous degrees and would be fast tracked to many of these programs. So, the slots available in these programs are very, very slim.

 

[cepmom]

. Have you considered nursing? It's kind of along the same lines (with more in depth people interaction, at least initially in training and first employment, though then you can branch out) but there are more choices for employment (which eventually will get better, more than likely; at least as good as the two you're considering).

I'm not really interested in nursing at all. It's very competitve to get into the nursing programs here and I'm not sure I want to go to school for a 4 year degree at this stage

 

[cepmom]

Respiratory therapists make more than radiology techs. Radiation therapists deliver chemo etc. Whole different ballgame.

I don't think they deliver chemo (could be wrong though) but rather treat patients with radiation. Around here it's a 4 year degree for radiation therapy

 

[Poppinsme]

I am a Registered Respiratory Therapist, 25 years now.

Worked 18 years on nights and now on days.
This is a hard physical job. Much harder then nursing.
On many a night shift we would be short staffed, hell most nights. You might have the ER, be in charge and also be in NICU. You never stop.
Yes we suction and do treatments but THAT is a very small part of our jobs.

This is a Respiratory display that I made last year for Respiratory Week.

I work NICU, PICU, CICU, ECMO and transports. I have taught. And still teach residents and Resp. students.
Worked with adults and pretty much everything but PFTs.
Also I am at the top pay wise in my field. Don't have a problem telling you what I make. $30.00 an hour. And it took a long time to get to this.

This field can be very rewarding and also very difficult.

Pros:
1. Excitement.
2. Saving lives when your the only one who knows what to do in a code or in many other critical situations.
3. Having some people respect you and value your input even if they have MD behind there names.
4. Seeing the patient you took care of and worked so hard with walk out of the hospital.
5. Working as a team with wonderful, caring nurses.

Cons:
1. Pay. I am at the end. So unless there is a cost of living raise in my hospital this is it. Yet my health insurance and cost of living has increased dramatically in the last few years.
2. Respect. There is a saying "Respiratory is the hospital's *****". (female dog)
3. I am a patient advocate yet have to fight all the time for better care from Dr's. who won't listen to me because of there ego's. I'm here for the patient dammit not your ego! ALL of us have to go through this(well those of us that care).
4. Working with nurses, Dr's., other Resp. Therapists that don't care and are just button pushers and knob turners. Very hard and sad.
5. Long hours, short breaks, heavy workloads, no lunch. This is NOT a desk job or for the weak. It is hard physical labor. You are on your feet all the time.

Why do I stay?
Because I LOVE WHAT I DO.
I love the excitement of a difficult transport.
I love intubating a patient that no one else could.
I love saving that child that came into ER with an asthma attack and the resident freaks out but I am cool and calm.
I love seeing years later that near drowning child that I took care of on ECMO. And the parents walk up to me with this beautiful young adult and ask if I remember them. And thank me for helping save there child because one night they watched me and the surgeons working so hard for this beautiful child that's in front of me alive.
I love telling new students that we need them and to please consider working in NICU/PICU.


Did I answer some of your questions?

 

[LuvtheMouse88]

I am a Registered Respiratory Therapist, 25 years now.

Worked 18 years on nights and now on days.
This is a hard physical job. Much harder then nursing.
On many a night shift we would be short staffed, hell most nights. You might have the ER, be in charge and also be in NICU. You never stop.
Yes we suction and do treatments but THAT is a very small part of our jobs.

This is a Respiratory display that I made last year for Respiratory Week.

I work NICU, PICU, CICU, ECMO and transports. I have taught. And still teach residents and Resp. students.
Worked with adults and pretty much everything but PFTs.
Also I am at the top pay wise in my field. Don't have a problem telling you what I make. $30.00 an hour. And it took a long time to get to this.

This field can be very rewarding and also very difficult.

Pros:
1. Excitement.
2. Saving lives when your the only one who knows what to do in a code or in many other critical situations.
3. Having some people respect you and value your input even if they have MD behind there names.
4. Seeing the patient you took care of and worked so hard with walk out of the hospital.
5. Working as a team with wonderful, caring nurses.

Cons:
1. Pay. I am at the end. So unless there is a cost of living raise in my hospital this is it. Yet my health insurance and cost of living has increased dramatically in the last few years.
2. Respect. There is a saying "Respiratory is the hospital's *****". (female dog)
3. I am a patient advocate yet have to fight all the time for better care from Dr's. who won't listen to me because of there ego's. I'm here for the patient dammit not your ego! ALL of us have to go through this(well those of us that care).
4. Working with nurses, Dr's., other Resp. Therapists that don't care and are just button pushers and knob turners. Very hard and sad.
5. Long hours, short breaks, heavy workloads, no lunch. This is NOT a desk job or for the weak. It is hard physical labor. You are on your feet all the time.

Why do I stay?
Because I LOVE WHAT I DO.
I love the excitement of a difficult transport.
I love intubating a patient that no one else could.
I love saving that child that came into ER with an asthma attack and the resident freaks out but I am cool and calm.
I love seeing years later that near drowning child that I took care of on ECMO. And the parents walk up to me with this beautiful young adult and ask if I remember them. And thank me for helping save there child because one night they watched me and the surgeons working so hard for this beautiful child that's in front of me alive.
I love telling new students that we need them and to please consider working in NICU/PICU.


Did I answer some of your questions?

I love your poster! It is so true. We could use more RT's like you in our field. Thank you for all you do from another RRT!