 Career
Path Forecast
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics,
employment of respiratory therapists is expected to grow by 21 percent
from 2008 to 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations.
The increasing demand
will come from substantial growth in the middle-aged and elderly
population -- a development that will heighten the incidence of
cardiopulmonary disease. Growth in demand also will result from the
expanding role of respiratory therapists in case management, disease
prevention, emergency care, and the early detection of pulmonary
disorders.
Older Americans suffer
most from respiratory ailments and cardiopulmonary diseases, such as
pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and heart disease. As the
number of older persons increases, the need for respiratory therapists
is expected to increase as well. In addition, advances in inhalable
medications and in the treatment of lung transplant patients, heart
attack and accident victims, and premature infants -- many of whom
depend on a ventilator during part of their treatment -- will increase
the demand for the services of respiratory care practitioners.
Job opportunities are
expected to be very good, especially for those with a bachelor’s degree
and certification, and those with cardiopulmonary care skills or
experience working with infants. The vast majority of job openings will
continue to be in hospitals. However, a growing number of openings are
expected to be outside of hospitals, especially in home healthcare
services, offices of physicians or other health practitioners,
consumer-goods rental firms, or in the employment services industry as a
temporary worker in various settings.
Note: Some resources in this section are provided by the US Department
of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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