How to Get a Respiratory Therapy Job in Missouri

The process of how to get a respiratory therapy job in Missouri is not that different from that used in other states. The differences, however, are important to note. These can include licensing and educational requirements. The availability of jobs may be influenced by factors such as the salary paid to respiratory therapists in Missouri, as well as the concentration of respiratory therapy jobs in the state.

To obtain respiratory care employment in Missouri, state guidelines for licensing and education will need to be met first. Additionally, as of July 1, 2003, all applicants must have filed all state income tax returns that were required of them for three years prior and have paid all of their state income taxes. The regulations and guidelines for respiratory care practioners are overseen by the Missouri Division of Professional Registration Board for Respiratory Care.

Both a license and a permit are offered by the state of Missouri. National Board of Respiratory Care credentials must be verified in order to obtain either. This is in addition to the payment of the appropriate fees and the submission of other forms and verifications. It should be noted that licensing fees paid are non-refundable. Additionally, it is illegal to work as a respiratory therapist in Missouri without a license or permit.

According to a May 2010 report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, respiratory therapists in the state of Missouri had an annual mean salary of $48, 490. The report also showed that respiratory therapists in Missouri also had an annual mean hourly wage for of $23.32. When compared to the rest of the United States, Missouri had a very high location quotient of respiratory therapists. Many of the neighboring states also had high or only slightly lower location quotients.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projected a "much faster than average growth" for respiratory therapists as a whole, which means that the process for how to get a respiratory therapy job in Missouri may be much easier than in some other states.

Respiratory therapy employment for Missouri can be located in a number of ways. This can include cold calling facilities that hire or work with respiratory therapists, utilizing online job listing services and using the free resources located on the official Missouri state website, under the Working in Missouri tab. Job seekers and employers will find links to Missouri CareerSource, as well as other helpful websites with information and listings of job openings.