Respiratory Therapist vs. Physical Therapist: What Are the Differences?

Respiratory therapists and physical therapists are both health care professionals who help patients improve their quality of life. Though they have different job duties, these roles share some similarities. In this article, we compare and contrast respiratory therapists and physical therapists, including their job duties, education requirements and average salaries.

What is a Respiratory Therapist?

Respiratory Therapists are medical professionals who specialize in the treatment of lung disorders and diseases. They work with patients of all ages, from newborns to the elderly. Respiratory Therapists often work in hospitals or other medical facilities, but may also work in home health care or provide mobile services. They assess patients’ respiratory needs and develop individualized treatment plans. Respiratory Therapists may also provide emergency care to patients suffering from heart attacks, strokes or other respiratory emergencies. They often work with other medical professionals, such as physicians, nurses and physical therapists, to provide comprehensive care.

What is a Physical Therapist?

Physical Therapists are health care professionals who diagnose and treat patients with physical injuries or conditions. They work with patients to help them regain movement and function. Physical Therapists create individualized treatment plans, which may include exercises, stretches, massages and other physical activities. They also use medical equipment to help patients heal, such as heat and cold therapy, ultrasound and electrical stimulation. Physical Therapists work with patients of all ages, from infants to the elderly. They often work in hospitals, clinics, private practices or patients’ homes.

Respiratory Therapist vs. Physical Therapist

Here are the main differences between a respiratory therapist and a physical therapist.

Job Duties

Physical therapists work to restore mobility in patients by using therapies that focus on the body. They may perform scans and diagnose injuries before creating treatment plans that include exercises and other methods of rehabilitation. In addition, they supervise patients as they complete their routines at home.

Respiratory therapists treat patients with conditions affecting the lungs and airways. They use treatments like oxygen therapy and nebulizer machines to help patients feel better faster. Respiratory therapists also monitor patients’ vital signs throughout treatment.

Job Requirements

Respiratory therapists typically need an associate degree from an accredited respiratory therapy program, although some may have a bachelor’s degree. These programs usually take two to three years to complete and include coursework in anatomy, physiology and medical ethics. Many respiratory therapy programs also require students to complete clinical rotations so they can gain hands-on experience working with patients. Some states also require respiratory therapists to be licensed before they can practice.

Physical therapists must first earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from an accredited physical therapy program. These programs typically take three years to complete and include coursework in anatomy, physiology and kinesiology. Many physical therapy programs also require students to complete clinical rotations so they can gain hands-on experience working with patients. After graduating, physical therapists must obtain licensure from the state they plan to practice in and pass the National Physical Therapy Examination.

Work Environment

Respiratory therapists and physical therapists both work in hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and other medical facilities. However, respiratory therapists may also work in private practices or clinics. Physical therapists often work in outpatient settings, but they can also find employment in hospitals.

Respiratory therapists typically work long hours, including weekends and holidays. They may spend a lot of time on their feet and lift heavy equipment. Physical therapists usually work regular business hours with occasional overtime. They may need to travel between different locations for patient appointments.

Skills

Both respiratory therapists and physical therapists use problem-solving skills in their jobs. For respiratory therapists, they need to be able to quickly assess a patient’s condition and develop a plan of care that will address the patient’s needs. For physical therapists, they often need to troubleshoot issues with patients’ rehabilitation plans and make adjustments as needed.

Both of these professionals also need excellent communication skills. They need to be able to explain complex medical information to patients and their families in a way that is easy to understand. They also need to be able to document patients’ progress and communicate with other members of the healthcare team.

Respiratory therapists need to have strong assessment skills. They need to be able to quickly gather information about a patient’s symptoms and medical history in order to make an accurate diagnosis. Physical therapists also need assessment skills, but they focus more on evaluating a patient’s range of motion, strength and flexibility.

While both respiratory therapists and physical therapists need to have a basic understanding of anatomy and physiology, respiratory therapists need to have a more in-depth knowledge of the respiratory system. Physical therapists need to have a more comprehensive understanding of the musculoskeletal system.

Salary

Respiratory therapists earn an average salary of $70,458 per year, while physical therapists earn an average salary of $84,744 per year. Both salaries can vary depending on the state in which you work, the type of facility you work in and your level of experience.