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Best respiratory therapist certifications
Respiratory therapist certifications allow job seekers to demonstrate their competency as an respiratory therapist to employers. However, not all respiratory therapist certifications provide the same value for job seekers.
The best certifications for a respiratory therapist are Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT), Basic Life Support for Healthcare and Public Safety (BLS), and Basic Life Support (BLS).
Below is a list of the best respiratory therapist certifications. Obtaining an respiratory therapist certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
6 best certifications for respiratory therapists
| Rank | Respiratory therapist certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) | NBRC |
| 2 | Basic Life Support for Healthcare and Public Safety (BLS) | American Red ... |
| 3 | Basic Life Support (BLS) | AHA |
| 4 | Neonatal/Pediatric Respiratory Care Specialist (RRT-NPS) | NBRC |
| 5 | Certification in Pediatric Anesthesiology (PA) | ABA |
| 6 | Certificate of Completion - Mechanical Ventilation | ACCP |
6 best respiratory therapist certifications
1. Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT)
The Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) Examination objectively measures essential knowledge, skills, and abilities required of respiratory therapists at entry into practice. Passing the TMC Examination and wearing the CRT badge of distinction signals to employers, colleagues and patients that you are committed to excellence in respiratory care. Additionally, all 49 states that regulate the practice of respiratory care use the CRT or RRT credential as the basis for state licensure.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)
2. Basic Life Support for Healthcare and Public Safety (BLS)
Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (BLS) uses a scenario-based approach to develop the critical thinking and problem solving skills that drive better patient outcomes. Consistent with AHA Guidelines for CPR/ECC. Covers breathing and cardiac emergencies - including CPR, AED, and obstructed airway - for adult, child, and infant patients. Free, two-year digital "Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers" certificate upon course completion..
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
3. Basic Life Support (BLS)
The Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers Classroom Course is designed to provide a wide variety of healthcare professionals the ability to recognize several life-threatening emergencies, provide CPR, use an AED, and relieve choking in a safe, timely and effective manner.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
4. Neonatal/Pediatric Respiratory Care Specialist (RRT-NPS)
The Neonatal/Pediatric Respiratory Care Specialty Examination is designed to objectively measure essential knowledge, skills and abilities required of respiratory therapists in this specialty area. Achievement of the CRT credential plus one year of clinical experience in neonatal/pediatric respiratory care or the RRT credential is required for admission to the Neonatal/Pediatric Specialty Examination.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
5. Certification in Pediatric Anesthesiology (PA)
The pediatric anesthesiology discipline includes the evaluation, preparation and management of pediatric patients undergoing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in operative and critical care settings. In addition, this discipline also entails the evaluation and treatment of children with acute and chronic painful disorders.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 7 year(s)
6. Certificate of Completion - Mechanical Ventilation
The Mechanical Ventilation Certificate of Completion Program provides hands-on experience troubleshooting mechanical ventilation, describing basic features of positive pressure breathing, exploiting ventilator graphics using equation of motion, and identifying key determinants of ventilator-induced lung injury. Become an expert at determining conventional settings for treating acute respiratory failure, as well as integrating new strategies for providing life support while simultaneously protecting the lung.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
What is the best certification for a respiratory therapist?
The best respiratory therapist certification is Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT). The Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) is awarded by the National Board for Respiratory Care. This certification corresponds to a specialty within a recognized occupation.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this respiratory therapist certification:
- To become a certified Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT), you need to pass the exam.
- This certificate requires more than two years of work experience.
- Renew certification every 1 year.
What are some of the most in-demand certifications for respiratory therapists?
The most in-demand respiratory therapist certification is Certified Respiratory Therapist based on all active job postings. Having this respiratory therapist certification will give you access to more respiratory therapist jobs with higher salaries.
What certifications can impact a respiratory therapist career and salary?
The Certified Respiratory Therapist certification will help you to secure a respiratory care practitioner position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A respiratory care practitioner's average salary is $50,683 whereas respiratory therapists make an average salary of $55,617.
The most common combination of respiratory therapist certifications include: Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT), Basic Life Support for Healthcare and Public Safety (BLS), and Basic Life Support (BLS).
Online courses for respiratory therapists to earn certifications
1. Trauma Emergencies and Care
Welcome to Trauma Emergencies and Care. In this course, you will learn about some of the mechanics and physics of trauma on the human body, and how this can cause injury. You will continue to expand your new vocabulary with medical terminology, and learn how to describe the different injuries you may see. You will also learn about the trauma system itself- and when it is important to transport patients to a trauma center. Then we will dive into specific injuries based on what part of the body...
2. Pain Management: Easing Pain in Palliative Care
In this course, you will be able to develop a systems view for assessing and managing pain in the palliative care setting. By the end of the course, you will be able to: 1) Describe the pain problem in the palliative care setting; 2) Assess a person’s pain, 3) Explain the benefits of integrative therapies and pharmacologic strategies to manage pain...
3. Providing Trauma-Informed Care
Exploring psychological trauma and how to provide care and compassion to trauma survivors...
4. Introduction to Solution Focused Therapy
Learn Solution Focused Therapy To Empower Clients & Improve Outcomes Ideal For Social Workers, Coaches & Therapists...
5. Emergency Care: Pregnancy, Infants, and Children
Welcome to the final course of lectures in your quest to master EMT basics. In this course, we will cover some of the highest-stress patient populations: pregnant patients and kids, also known as pediatrics. To wrap up your EMT knowledge we will end this course with information about hazmat situations, extricating patients from tight spots and finally how you write a note about your patient care. You will learn to ensure it communicates what your assessment of the patient was, what...
6. Value-Based Care: Managing Processes to Improve Outcomes
COURSE 3 of 7. This course is designed to introduce you to critical office-based processes that a value-based practice must manage in the drive towards improved patient outcomes. In Module 2, we’ll focus on office-based and clinical patient-based supporting functions. At every level in healthcare, guidelines, processes, and functions exist to improve outcomes, and following a consistent process will return the best effect. Refine your understanding of value and learn strategies to provide real...
7. CBT: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy For Therapists & Coaches
Comprehensive CBT Therapy Training Cognitive Behavior Therapy Practitioner Level Treat Anxiety, Depression & More...
8. Professional Cupping Therapy Massage Certificate Course 4 CE
Learn Cupping Therapy Massage Today to Treat Your Own Pains, Your Friends, Family Or Massage Clients Effortlessly!...
9. Palliative Care Always Capstone Course
The Palliative Care Always Capstone course is designed to let you test your knowledge about palliative and help others understand the value of palliative care, while showing your creative side. In this course, you will impact community awareness about palliative care, promote self-care and wellness, show-off your communication skills in a virtual environment, and finish the course off by proving your thoughts on ways to offer psychosocial support to a patient and family...
10. Medical Emergencies: Airway, Breathing, and Circulation
In this course, you will develop the knowledge and skills to assess and stabilize certain types of patients for transport. By the end of this course, you will be able to: 1) assess a basic medical patient 2) describe general pharmacologic principles and the skills associated with medication administration, 3) explain airway physiology, the assessment of the airway and available interventions for airway management, 4) identify, assess and formulate a plan to stabilize a patient with a...
11. The Complete EMDR Therapy Course - Accredited Certification
International EMDR Training for Self-Healing, Trauma Therapy, Childhood Healing, PTSD, Grief, and Counseling...
12. Art Therapy: Personal Development and Self Healing with Art
Arts Therapy heals ! Improve your Mental Health with 30 Art Therapy Exercises ...
13. Health After Cancer: Cancer Survivorship for Primary Care
This course presents basic principles of cancer survivorship to primary-care physicians. Developed by a team of experts in caring for cancer survivors, and narrated by a primary-care physician, this course provides practical tips and tools that can be easily integrated into medical practice. You will learn about the complex physical and psychosocial needs and concerns of the growing number of cancer survivors, along with the key role that primary care physicians have in guiding these patients...
14. Health for All Through Primary Health Care
This course explores why primary health care is central for achieving Health for All. It provides examples of how primary health care has been instrumental in approaching this goal in selected populations and how the principles of primary health care can guide future policies and actions. Two of the most inspiring, least understood, and most often derided terms in global health discourse are “Health for All” and “Primary Health Care.” In this course, we will explore these terms in the context...
15. Introduction to CBT: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Online Counselling & Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Training Course...
16. Occupational Therapy Introduction - ACCREDITED CERTIFICATE
How to become occupational therapist, basic Psychology, Physiology & Anatomy, working with disabilities, children adults...
17. Anatomy: Cardiovascular, Respiratory and Urinary Systems
In this anatomy course, part of the Anatomy Specialization, you will explore the interactive relationships of the cardiovascular, respiratory and urinary systems, and the roles they play in your body. This course is a primer for the cardiovascular, respiratory, and urinary systems in which students learn the pertinent details of the structures and functions through a combination of lectures, videos, labeling activities and quizzes...
18. Introduction to Integrative Therapies and Healing Practices
This introductory course provides a framework for incorporating integrative therapies into your work with clients or patients. By the end of the course, you will be able to assess if integrative therapies are good options in specific situations, as well as educate patients and colleagues about benefits and risks. You will be confident discussing the evidence base for integrative therapies in general, with an understanding of some of the challenges of research in this area, and able to identify...
19. Prehospital care of acute stroke and patient selection for endovascular treatment using the RACE scale
Acute stroke is a time-dependent medical emergency. In acute ischemic stroke, the first objective is to restore brain flow using sistemic thrombolytic treatment and, in patients with large vessel occlusion, by endovascular treatment. In hemorrhagic stroke there are also specific treatments that can improve the clinical outcome. The sooner the initiation of all these therapies the higher the clinical benefit. Thus, the organization of Stroke Code systems coordinated between emergency medical...
20. Traditional herbal medicine in supportive cancer care: From alternative to integrative
Please join us for an exciting and innovative journey, examining one of the most important and often overlooked aspects of the oncology setting: Traditional Herbal Medicine in Supportive Cancer Care. This course is presented with short lectures offering a wide range of issues related to the principles and practice of herbal medicine in cancer care. The course includes interviews with leading world experts from the field of Integrative Oncology, from the U.S. and Canada, as well as Europe, the...