1. Respiratory Therapy A Life and Breath Career for You!

2. Careers in Allied Health Diagnostic/Brief Encounter Nuclear Medicine Tech Medical Technologist Perfusionist Ultrasound Tech Radiography Tech Invasive Cardiology Tech Nurse Anesthetist Extended Relationship Nursing Physician’s Assistant Respiratory TherapistRespiratory Therapist Physical Therapist Occupational Therapist

3. What is Respiratory Therapy ? Respiratory therapists have an in-depth knowledge of Cardiopulmonary physiology and pathophysiologyCardiopulmonary physiology and pathophysiology Patient assessment and cardiopulmonary diagnosticsPatient assessment and cardiopulmonary diagnostics Pulmonary diseasePulmonary disease Advanced life support and critical careAdvanced life support and critical care PharmacologyPharmacology Biomedical engineering and technologyBiomedical engineering and technology Respiratory therapists effectively AssessAssess Educate andEducate and Treat patients with heart and lung problemsTreat patients with heart and lung problems

4. What Do Respiratory Therapists Do? Respiratory therapists: –Develop implement and modify patient care plans –Apply patient driven protocols and clinical pathways –Implement asthma and COPD disease management programs –Perform therapeutic and diagnostic procedures –Evaluate patients’ home environments –Employ evidence-based clinical practice –Conduct freedom from nicotine programs/counselling

5. In Summary… Respiratory Therapists work as physician extenders to evaluate, treat, and care for patients with lung and heart disorders.

6. What Breathing Disorders Do Respiratory Therapists Treat? Asthma Bronchitis Emphysema COPD Cystic Fibrosis Chest Trauma Pneumonia

7. What Kinds of Patients Do Respiratory Therapists Treat? Lung disease patients Cardiac patients Neuromuscular patients Accident victims Premature babies Children Adults The elderly

8. Respiratory Therapists Perform Patient Assessment Patient InterviewPatient Interview Cough and sputumCough and sputum Breathlessness and wheezingBreathlessness and wheezing Chest illnessChest illness SmokingSmoking Occupational historyOccupational history Home environmental conditionsHome environmental conditions

9. Respiratory Therapists Perform Physical Assessment Physical AssessmentPhysical Assessment General appearanceGeneral appearance Vital signsVital signs Chest inspectionChest inspection Breath soundsBreath sounds Percussion / palpationPercussion / palpation Bedside assessment of cardiopulmonary functionBedside assessment of cardiopulmonary function Respiratory Care Plan Development & ImplementationRespiratory Care Plan Development & Implementation

10. Respiratory Therapists Perform Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures Arterial blood gas analysisArterial blood gas analysis Pulmonary function studiesPulmonary function studies Sleep studiesSleep studies EKGs and cardiac testsEKGs and cardiac tests Sputum specimensSputum specimens Stress and exercise testingStress and exercise testing Gas therapyGas therapy Medication administrationMedication administration Secretion managementSecretion management Chest physiotherapyChest physiotherapy Lung expansion therapyLung expansion therapy Pulmonary rehabilitationPulmonary rehabilitation

11. Where Do Respiratory Therapists Work? Acute care hospitalsAcute care hospitals Diagnostic laboratoriesDiagnostic laboratories Rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilitiesRehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities Patient’s homesPatient’s homes Patient transport servicesPatient transport services Physician officesPhysician offices Convalescent and retirement centersConvalescent and retirement centers Educational institutions, including colleges and universitiesEducational institutions, including colleges and universities Government and industryGovernment and industry

12. How Does the Job Market Look for Respiratory Therapists? The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lists Respiratory Therapy as among the fastest growing professions.The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lists Respiratory Therapy as among the fastest growing professions. BLS projects a 28% increase in demand for respiratory therapists for the period 2004-2014.BLS projects a 28% increase in demand for respiratory therapists for the period 2004-2014. Family Money Magazine lists Respiratory Therapy among the top 50 careers for the 21st century (January/February 2000, p. 52)Family Money Magazine lists Respiratory Therapy among the top 50 careers for the 21st century (January/February 2000, p. 52)

13. How Does the Job Market Look for Respiratory Therapists? The need for RTs is growing due to: –large increase in the elderly population –environmental impact on diseases such as asthma –smoking and COPD –technological advances in treatment of cardiopulmonary disease –advances in treatment of premature babies –retirements

14. How Much Do Respiratory Therapists Make? Salary varies with educational degree and years of experience.Salary varies with educational degree and years of experience. Supervisors, clinical specialists, and department managers tend to have higher salaries.Supervisors, clinical specialists, and department managers tend to have higher salaries. Median starting salaries for MU graduate respiratory therapists = currently $49,535.Median starting salaries for MU graduate respiratory therapists = currently $49,535. Sign-on incentives range from $3,000 - $15,000.Sign-on incentives range from $3,000 - $15,000.

15. My Aptitudes & Strengths? Critical ThinkingCritical Thinking Interpersonal Relationship SkillsInterpersonal Relationship Skills DedicationDedication Manual DexterityManual Dexterity AccuracyAccuracy Focused Under PressureFocused Under Pressure IntegrityIntegrity Commitment to Life-Long LearningCommitment to Life-Long Learning

16. Is Respiratory Therapy For Me? A career as a respiratory therapist can provide:A career as a respiratory therapist can provide: –the ability to make a difference in peoples lives –interesting and meaningful work –a high tech and exciting career –a people oriented profession –the opportunity to become a respected member of the health professions Imagine yourself helping Charlie Adams!Imagine yourself helping Charlie Adams!

17. Charlie Adams – 55yo MVA Head and chest trauma ED admissionHead and chest trauma ED admission Secure airway - intubate and ventilateSecure airway - intubate and ventilate Transfer to ICUTransfer to ICU Establish and manage mechanical ventilationEstablish and manage mechanical ventilation Step-down unitStep-down unit Airway hygiene, aerosolized meds and O 2 therapyAirway hygiene, aerosolized meds and O 2 therapy Discharge to LTAC or homeDischarge to LTAC or home

18. What is Best About Practicing as a Respiratory Therapist ? “Our work is very gratifying in that we serve people of all ages who are greatly appreciative of what we do for them. When they are having difficulty breathing, relief is what primarily matters to them. We often work with our patients from the time of their admission through to their discharge, so we get to see the change that results from what we do for them. When we go home at the end of the day we carry a sense of satisfaction that is uncommon in many careers because when we treat and manage our patients there is immediate and measurable improvement. We are also highly respected by physicians, nurses, and others with whom we practice.”

19. How Do I Become a Student Respiratory Therapist? BS Degree in Biology and Respiratory TherapyBS Degree in Biology and Respiratory Therapy –Highly respected 4-year program –Option in the MU Biology curriculum since 1982 –16-month Professional Phase –Post BS Option for you! Bachelor of Science Degree

20. How Do I Apply to the Respiratory Therapy Program? 1.Transfer & designate Bio/Resp major 2.Apply as a graduate - deadline – March –Transcripts –Recommendations –Visits

21. What Courses Do I Need to Prepare for the Program as a Graduate? Biology, Human A&P, Chemistry, Microbiology, Physics, Math, and General Ed coursework.Biology, Human A&P, Chemistry, Microbiology, Physics, Math, and General Ed coursework. Students benefit from a strong background in Math and Science.Students benefit from a strong background in Math and Science.

22. Is Respiratory Therapy For Me? A career as a respiratory therapist can provide:A career as a respiratory therapist can provide: –a great job at a good salary –job security –the opportunity to help others –recognition, respect, and appreciation –a sense of accomplishment A rewarding career for lifeA rewarding career for life

23. Respiratory Therapists Make a Difference You can too!!! Contact: Website: http://muweb.millersville.edu/~rtp Email:muprt@comcast.net Millersville University Program in Respiratory Therapy P.O. Box 1002 Millersville, PA 17551 (717) 291-8457