Respiratory Technicians

A first step in exploring the field of respiratory therapy is through a part-time or summer job in a hospital, which have a continuing need for helpers in many departments. Even though the work may not be directly related to respiratory therapy, you will gain knowledge of the operation of a hospital and may be in a position to get acquainted with respiratory therapists and technicians and observe them as they carry out their duties. If part-time or temporary work is not available, you may wish to volunteer your services.

Your school's career services office or your health teacher can help set up interviews with or lectures by respiratory therapy practitioners from a local hospital. Prepare a list of questions first to learn more about their work and how they got started in the respiratory technician field. Perhaps you could even job-shadow a technician to learn even more about the field.     

The American Association for Respiratory Care offers a Virtual Museum (https://museum.aarc.org), which features stories and photographs that provide more information about the history of respiratory therapy.

Those who are in sixth grade through age 20 can participate in the Learning for Life program, https://www.exploring.org/health-care), which is affiliated with Scouting America (formerly the Boy Scouts of America). Participants in its Health Care Career Exploring program learn about medical careers through classroom training and hands-on activities. Both young men and women may participate.