A respiratory therapist’s job description and tasks elude many people. This position holds a lot of importance amongt medical jobs since it cares for people with chronic lung problems. Not only does the respiratory therapist care for the patients directly, they are also colleagues of doctors and other medical experts in order to assess their patients. To get started, there are many good respiratory therapy programs a person can apply for, most of which are two to four year programs. After the completion of the program there is a series of tests available for attaining a CRT certificate (Certified Respiratory Therapist), or an RRT certificate (Registered Respiratory Therapist), both of which enable practice.

Once in practice, a respiratory therapist will undertake such tasks as testing patients for breathing abnormalities, helping patients with rehabilitation, measuring for lung capacity, and setting up and operating ventilator machines. All of these prove to be very important for a patient who is suffering from a lung disorder, and a doctor is not always qualified to perform these tasks. If you are not in the position to dedicate your time to a full program at respiratory therapist schools but would like to get started in this area of training, you can start a respiratory ceu (continuing education unit). Many students who have completed the course are now in rewarding jobs earning anywhere between $40,000 and $50,000.