The History of a Respiratory Therapist

Respiratory therapists are responsible for the evaluation, treatment and care of patients with breathing or cardiopulmonary disorders. To treat patients, respiratory therapists use oxygen or mixtures of oxygen, chest physiotherapy and aerosol medications.

Inhalation Therapist Association

• Respiratory care began in the 1940s when, according to RespiratoryTherapySchoolsOnline.com explains, “a few oxygen tank technicians began meeting with doctors concerned with lung disease in Chicago.” The group became the Inhalation Therapy Association (ITA) in 1946.

Trained Professionals

• The ITA arranged a series of classes for people in the hospital that were administering medical gases to patients. In 1950, 31 members of the Association earned certification for completing 16 classes. These certified members were known as “inhalation therapists.”

The First Schools

• In the 1957, a resolution to create schools for inhalation therapy was proposed, and the first schools were set up soon after.

A Change of Name

• In 1954, the Inhalation Therapy Association became the American Association of Inhalation Therapists. Eventually, the AAIT became known as the American Association of Respiratory Care.

In 2010

• An associate degree is required to work as a respiratory therapist as is a license. Respiratory therapy is a growing field with great opportunity for advancement.