Respiratory Therapy Technician

 

Career Description

Certified respiratory therapy technicians (CRTT) work with respiratory therapists to aid in the care of patients with lung or breathing disorders. They have less freedom and independence in working with patients directly and may simply assist the respiratory therapist during actual treatment.

Academic Requirements

Respiratory technician programs generally last from 12-18 months and award a certificate of completion. The National Board for Respiratory Care offers a certification examination for technicians. Often, respiratory therapy technicians first take the technician certification exam and then complete two more years of clinical work before they become eligible to take the respiratory therapist certification exam.

Schools

Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center
573/334-0826

East Central College
636/583-5193

Missouri Southern State University (Joplin)
417/625-3118

Rolla Technical Center
573/458-0160

South Central Career Center (West Plains)
417/256-6152

Professional Associations

National
American Association for Respiratory Care
The American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC)

State
Missouri Society for Respiratory Care
Missouri State Board for Respiratory Care

Additional Information

Learn More About Therapy and Rehabilitation
Read Personal Accounts of Current Respiratory Therapists