the future of hot jobs: Respiratory Therapist

In the past two years the U.S. economy lost more than 7 million jobs. Currently, the United States, 10 percent of the labor force who are unemployed. Because of the economic recovery is weak, people predicted double-digit unemployment rate may be difficult in the next two years decreased significantly. However, even such a slump in the job market situation, there are some very optimistic about the employment prospects of the industry. Voice of America program is series of reports on financial aspect "future hot jobs" in the industry to introduce you to these different work. Today to introduce you to respiratory therapists.

Many people believe that breath is a natural thing to do. But for some patients, respiratory problems but it may cause life-threatening. Respiratory Therapist (Respiratory Therapist) work is under the guidance of a physician diagnosis and treatment of respiratory disorders.

Respiratory therapist contact with a variety of patients, from the lungs of premature babies is not sound elderly patients with lung disease. They also suffer from chronic asthma and emphysema patients, and suffered heart disease, stroke, drowning or by the shocks to provide emergency relief for patients.

Compared with the nurses, it is in the medical field is a relatively young profession. American Journal of Respiratory Therapy Association (American Association for Respiratory Care) CEO Tom Kallstrom (Tom Kallstrom) is also a respiratory therapist.

He said: "The occupation of about 60 for the coming year history. So, and nurses than it is a young professional. Because it is directly related to the lungs, long years, it became a specialized task."

Kallstrom said the respiratory therapist must be aware of lung function, but also need to understand the role of drugs on the lungs, and how to remedy. Therefore, the respiratory therapist in need of professional training.

Typically, the respiratory therapist must have at least college education. However, Kallstrom said, with a bachelor degree or master's professional education background, will be more competitive, revenue will be higher.

In the United States, except Alaska and Hawaii, all the respiratory therapists need to have licenses. In addition, most employers also require respiratory therapists also holds CPR (CPR) certification.

Work with other medical fields as a respiratory therapist is a very good career prospects for employment growth. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (US Bureau of Labor Statistics) projections, from 2008 to 2018, the employment needs of the industry will grow 21 per cent, much higher than the industry average.

American Journal of Respiratory Therapy Association Kallstrom said that the current shortage of personnel in the profession has begun to show signs of one of the reasons is that existing respiratory therapist, a considerable number of people close to retirement age.

He said: "Because a lot of respiratory therapists, was born in (World War II) 'baby boom' period, so their average age is close to 50 years old. As this age, who will soon retire. While the other On the one hand, there are more 'baby boomers' born during the treatment of patients requiring breathing assistance. Therefore, we need more trained respiratory therapists to treat patients. "

Kallstrom said that the future will be more and more "baby boomers" born during the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as well as a large number of asthma patients. He said, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is already high U.S. death rate of 4 diseases, and in 5-6 years time, it jumped to No. 3 big "killer."

Given the trend of professional staff shortages faced by the United States Association of Respiratory Therapy has begun to engage more with young people. Kallstrom said the association has tried to introduce high school students in respiratory therapy, enhance their understanding of the job; more importantly, also hope they realize that respiratory therapists would be a pretty good career choice.