Respiratory therapists form an integral part of any medical care team. They are especially important for air ambulances, as they normally deal with patients who have sustained critical injuries. Many times, such patients experience respiratory distress and require emergency help from a trained professional. If you’re trying to become a respiratory therapist to provide professional care for such patients, this article will give you a brief guide regarding the process.
Meeting the Educational Requirements
The standard requirement to become a respiratory therapist is a college education in the related field. Every state that gives out a license in respiratory therapy require candidates to completed a program in respiratory care at an accredited and recognized institution. To meet the minimum requirement for getting a license, you’ll need at least an associate’s degree with two complete academic years of study along with a clinical experience.
Regardless of whether you’re becoming a respiratory therapist for air ambulances or other emergency services, you’ll need to be proficient in the following:
- Respiratory care
- Oral and written communication
- Social/behavioral sciences
- Biomedical/natural sciences
What’s Next to Become an RT for Air Ambulances?
Once you’ve completed the relevant degree program approved by the CoARC or Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care, you can move forward to the licensing procedure. You will need to pass the Certified Respiratory Therapist examination. In some states, you will be allowed to begin working in the field with a temporary license before you take the CRT exam.
Some employers, however, may also require that you have a Registered Respiratory Therapist credential as well. Since January 2015, this credential became a standard requirement for licensure in states like California and Ohio. After getting certified, you can then apply for licensure from the state and become a licensed respiratory therapist.
