Cardiopulmonary Therapists help patients to get relieve or heal from a cardiac disorder and respiratory problems. They work with patients who have been diagnosed with asthma, angina, emphysema, heart attack, coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other heart or lung diseases. Their responsibilities include developing treatment program, designing and monitoring an appropriate exercise program, educating the patients to lead a healthy lifestyle and reduce health risks etc.
Cardiopulmonary Therapists work in variety of settings such as government and private hospitals, outpatient clinics, cardiac rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes, medical laboratories etc. These professionals have to work even in night and weekend shifts. They also need to perform duties on call.
Educational Requirements
To become a Cardiopulmonary Therapist, aspiring candidates need to earn a doctoral degree from an accredited physical therapy program. The undergraduate syllabus covers the courses like anatomy, biology, chemistry, physics, social science, mathematics, etc.
Licensure and Certification
Since the practice of a Cardiopulmonary Therapist in USA requires to be licensed, the aspiring candidates must have to pass a licensing examination. These professionals can obtain a certification from Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI).
Skill Set
Apart from the clinical knowledge, the Cardiopulmonary Therapist possess various skills such as empathy towards patient, high medical ethics, protecting patients’ confidentiality, attention to detail, dexterity to perform procedures, tolerance for long working hours, maintaining calm and helpful during stressful situations, understanding the spirit of team work, physical stamina for lifting and positioning the patients and equipments, pleasant communications and interpersonal skills, basic computer knowledge etc.
Job Outlook and Salary
The job outlook for a Cardiopulmonary Therapist remains excellent in USA. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the growth rate for job opportunities in this profession may rise 36% from 2012 to 2022, higher than the average for all occupations. The average annual salary of a Cardiopulmonary Therapist was $79,860 in 2012.