7 replies to this topic

[FireEMT2009]

Well, I have been looking into furthering my education, and I understand that some of the stuff we do as Paramedics, mimics what an RT does. And not to mention, the airway/respiratory/circulation system has always amazed me and I would like to continue my knowledge.

 

My question to ya'll is, would my experience as a Paramedic assist me in RT school? and what ya'lls opinion on transferring from NREMT-P to RRT?

 

Thanks for any opinions,

 

FireEMT2009

[DFIB]

I would think that your experience would be useful but this is just my opinion. Maybe chbare will chime in.

[ChaseZ]

I would suggest go shadowing a RT. Depending on the hospital it can be very mundane and boring. Basically going around giving nebs, treatments, setting up cpap/bipap, etc. while other RTs are in the ICU with vents, drawing ABGs, and responding to codes.

[chbare]

Your experience will probably benefit you as a RT student.  Let me know if you have specific questions. Personally, I rather like respiratory therapy.

[cprted]

I know two Paramedics from my service who have gone through the RT program.  Both of them love their new jobs!

[Captain ToHellWithItAll]

RT Training can do nothing but make you a better provider.  How many calls do you run that have an respiratory component to them?  I'd bet that 35% of them do.  The better  you understand the respiratory system the better you understand your patients respiratory issues. 

 

2nd,  Most respiratory therapists I know, I said most, are pretty good at intubating patients and I've worked with quite a few.  You want to have a RT on your truck. 

 

Why do you think that many critical care transport teams (pediatric especially) have a RT(who may also be a medic) on board rather than a paramedic?  I'll let you sit and stew on that one.  

 

Just food for thought. 

[yakc130]

Does anyone have any suggestions for schooling for this? Specifically, online classes that I could do here in the desert.

[chbare]

It will be hard to do RRT online. The minimum RRT entry into practice is an AAS from an accredited programme. Even as a nurse with many years of experience, I had to do the entire two years of school plus I had to do additional chemistry and take a physics and computer operation class.