Research career opportunities and the education, credentials, and responsibilities associated with each.
Career opportunities may include respiratory therapy positions in one or more modalities, such as
- private physicians’ offices
- hospitals
- clinics
- administration
- perfusionist
- physician assistant (separate licensure and degree)
- physician extenders
- education
- local travel technology (temporary placements)
- international placement
- sales and applications.
Research should include websites such as those of professional associations in the area of respiratory therapy and other healthcare organizations, as well as Virginia Career VIEW (https://www.vaview.net/ Links to an external site.).
Many websites offer career exploration resources, including the Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority (http://www.vhwda.org/healthcare-careers/ Links to an external site.) and the Virginia Education Wizard (https://www.vawizard.org/wizard/home Links to an external site.).
Process/Skill Questions:
- What is the benefit of multiple modality accreditation in career development?
- What are the differences between working in an outpatient setting vs. a hospital?
- What is meant by the statement, “Respiratory therapy is a portable career”?
- What career opportunities are available for respiratory therapists outside the traditional healthcare setting?