Job Description for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a medical procedure often used to treat the effects of radiation therapy in cancer patients. It was originally designed to treat decompression sickness in divers, but the beneficial effects of the therapy have since been applied to many other conditions. Hyperbaric technicians administer the therapy to patients based on a doctor’s recommendation.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a procedure primarily used in the treatment or prevention of bone damage caused by radiation therapy. This therapy has also been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat other conditions in which the body’s tissues are not receiving adequate oxygen, such as carbon monoxide poisoning, gangrene, decompression sickness and brain abscess. Individuals undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy enter a sealed chamber that has been pressurized at 1 1/2 to 3 times the normal atmospheric level and breathe pure oxygen for 30 minutes or up to two hours per session.

Job Responsibilities

• Hyperbaric technicians administer therapy to patients as prescribed by the patient’s physician. The technician answers questions for each patient and ensures that the patient is as comfortable as possible throughout the procedure. Hyperbaric technicians are responsible for keeping detailed medical records, and they ensure that the systems and equipment are functional and well maintained.

Education

• Hyperbaric technicians must acquire at least a high school diploma before entering the field. An individual must certify as a hyperbaric technician before he is able to perform therapeutic procedures. This typically entails enrolling in a training course, completing an internship or practicum and passing a qualifying exam. Certification can be gained through multiple sources, including the National Board of Hyperbaric Medicine Technology, the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society and the Baromedical Nurses Association.

Salary and Job Outlook

• According to Salary.com, the expected median salary for a hyperbaric technician in the United States is $42,294 as of May 2011. Salaries of hyperbaric technicians vary based on location, demand and years of experience. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a growing career. It is a relatively recent introduction into the field of medicine, which means that the technology is still spreading through hospitals. The list of conditions the therapy is approved to treat is also still growing. Based on these factors, demand for hyperbaric technicians is expected to continue to grow and job outlook is good.