A respiratory technician have similar duties to that of a respiratory therapist in that they are both responsible for evaluating, treating, and caring for patients that suffer from respiratory or cardiopulmonary problems. But the difference is that he or she usually works under a therapist or a physician and will not have the same responsibility level of a respiratory therapist.
General Duties
Some general duties are administering oxygen and breathing treatments, preparing testing equipment, analyzing samples, and maintaining proper records. They are also responsible for educating the patient about the treatment about the disease such as exposing to the benefits to quitting smoking, how to prevent w worsening of conditions, and how to recover faster.
Requirements
In order to be one you will need to undergo some kind of formal education. Usually an associate degree will be enough, but in some states as little as a postsecondary certificate will be enough. You may also have to complete some clinical experiences in order to be hired. Remember to check what your state requires as it may differ from state to state.
Salary and Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average hourly wage is $22.78, which corresponds to salary of $46,340. Most of these jobs are at general hospitals. 50% of all technicians will make between $17.65 and $26.68 for annual salaries of $36,720 and $55,490.
The number of jobs is not expected to grow and total number of jobs is expected to decline due to the fact that a lot of the jobs are going to be done by respiratory therapists.