Airways-make breathing easier
Name: Will Haire
Position: Registered Respiratory Therapist
Where: Barnes Jewish Hospital,
St. Louis, Mo.
How long?: 10 years
Training: Associates degree in Applied
Science with a major in
Respiratory Therapy from
St. Louis Community
College at Forest Park
Certification: Mo. – Licensed Respiratory
Therapist
CPR/Automated External
Defibrillator Healthcare Provider
Description: Administer tests, breathing
treatments and/or chest percussion
on patients with asthma, chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease,
cystic fibrosis and other respiratory
illnesses as ordered by the patient’s
physician. Respiratory therapists
must be compassionate toward people,
team-oriented and able to tolerate
long hours of walking or standing and
can work effectively under stress.
Best part
of the job: Helping patients get better
Drawback: The need is 24-hours a day, 7-days per week. Illness does not take a holiday!
Median
Salary: $53,617 (Monster.com)