Respiratory Therapy

A respiratory therapist is someone who literally has the life of her patients in her hands. I have been fortunate this semester in being able to talk with people who chose this career. I even spent some time shadowing them at their job. I have known for a long time that I wanted a career in the health care field. Becoming a respiratory therapist sounded interesting. Now that I have talked with respiratory therapists and seen them at work, I am more certain than ever that this is the right path for me.

A respiratory therapist works under the supervision of an intensive care physician or pulmonary specialist. The job, basically, involves management of the patient's airway during trauma or intensive care. A respiratory therapist sometimes administers anesthesia, and may administer medication or medical gases. Respiratory therapists work in many settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, and even in...
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