How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Wyoming – WY

By an allied health world contributing writer
Published: January, 8 2010

Wyoming  respiratory therapist careers require a great deal of study and preparation for a profession that is in high demand.  The results of research done by the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicted a 19% rise in demand for respiratory therapists over a span of ten years.

Steps to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Wyoming

To become an RT in Wyoming the following steps are necessary:

1. Acquire information concerning this career and the area best suited to your abilities and interest.   This can best be accomplished by observing an RT on the job.  Some areas of respiratory therapy are neonatal, asthma and other chronic pulmonary diseases, and sleep disorders.
2. Look at accredited degree programs in respiratory therapy to select one that you feel meets your needs and interests.
3. During your studies in your chosen program gain as many hours of clinical work as you can to show competency and experience when applying for jobs.
4. Upon graduation  you must take and pass the exam given by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) .  This will officially qualify you as a certified (CRT) or, if you took the additional training, as a registered (RRT).  An RRT is tested on additional procedures for which the CRT has not been trained.
5. Applying for a Wyoming state license is the next step.  This is a requirement in all states. The fee to obtain a license in Wyoming is $100.
6. The final step is seeking a job in respiratory therapy in Wyoming.

Most of the hiring of RTs is in general and surgical hospitals.  Specialty hospitals such as those for drug abuse or mental health have the next highest number of hires.  Because they are trained and certified to perform additional procedures and treatments most hospitals prefer hiring RRTs.  Respiratory therapists throughout the nation average an annual salary of $56,222.  The schedules for work can be widely varied from long shifts (8 to 12 hours) over 3 days, mostly in hospitals, to the more standard workday of 8 to 5 in most laboratories.