Career Information
Developing the Talent Our Region Needs
As a Respiratory Therapist, you'll work side-by-side with doctors to ensure or restore one of the most essential functions in life: breathing.
You could work in doctor's offices, nursing homes, sleep centers, pediatric care facility -- or in the back of a helicopter! You might help patents manage their lung function, analyze breath or tissue, diagnose illnesses and recommend treatment, maintain mechanical ventilation for patients who can't breathe on their own, or conduct quit-smoking classes.
Average Starting Salary
According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics Occupational Handbook, the median pay in 2020 was $62,810. Employers often pay for Respiratory Therapists to receive advanced training, further increasing their earning potential.
Licensing
Following graduation, Respiratory Therapists must become licensed as Respiratory Care Professionals by the State Medical Board of Ohio.
Central Ohio employers include:
- Riverside Methodist Hospitals
- Grant Medical Center
- Doctors Hospital
- Memorial Hospital of Union County
- Mount Carmel East
- Mount Carmel Grove City
- St. Ann's Hospital
- Children's Hospital
- OSU Wexner Medical Center
- OSU East
Professional organizations
State Medical Board of Ohio
30 East Broad Street, 3rd Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
614-466-3934
http://www.med.ohio.gov/
American Association for Respiratory Care
9425 N. MacArthur Blvd
Suite 100
Irving, TX 75063-4706
www.aarc.org
Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care
264 Precision Blvd.
Telford, TN 37690
817-283-2835
800-874-5615
www.coarc.com
NBRC Executive Office
8310 Nieman Road
Lenexa, KS 66214-1579
913-599-4200
www.nbrc.org