Table of Contents
Introduction
Allied health is a vast and eclectic sector always in need of outstanding individuals. While skilled professionals may be in high demand, a subpar resume can give even the best applicant a falsely negative impression. Fortunately, our respiratory therapist resume template for Word takes you through the writing process one section at a time so you can build a great document at a comfortable pace. Keep reading for help formatting your summary statement, skills, work history and education sections.
Writing Your Summary Statement
The first item on your resume is your summary statement. It’s only three sentences long and should capture your top skills and qualifications. It may be helpful to write your summary as though it’s your one chance to convince the hiring manager to read more about you.
However, don’t let the value of the summary statement intimidate you. Embrace this opportunity to impress by modelling your statement after the examples and including the following:
• Your professional title
• Two or three technical or applied skills
• One or two admirable personality traits
Refer to the respiratory therapist resume template for Word as well as these sample statements:
Example 1
Caring respiratory therapist with 18 months of experience in outpatient clinical practice. Familiar with spirometry and other lung capacity testing protocols to diagnose and manage asthma, COPD and pulmonary emphysema. Devoted to building lasting relationships with patients and colleagues.
Example 2
Certified respiratory therapist with two decades’ experience in emergency settings. Expertise in intensive care units and ground and air ambulance transports. Perform well under pressure and take pride in saving lives when seconds count.
Example 3
Respiratory therapist with five years of experience spread across home health and pulmonary rehabilitation. Fully coursed in facilitation of home management of sleep apnea and related disorders. Seasoned collaborator with in-home nursing staff.
Example 4
Respiratory Therapist:
• Eight years’ experience
• Skilled with pulmonary technology such as ventilators, EKG/ Holter monitors and breathing apparatuses
• Enjoy training and mentoring new team members, interns and pulmonary technicians
Writing Your Skills Section
Your resume’s skills section should read like an information-packed assortment of all the reasons you are a great fit for the job. The respiratory therapist resume template for Word guides you through the phrasing and formatting for this section. Remember these pointers as well:
• Match the skills requested in the job posting as closely as possible with the skills you possess
• Keep these bullet points general; there will be room for specifics later
• Shave your list down to your top 5-7 strongest qualifications
Here are some common skillsets from respiratory therapy practice:
• Keep composed and professional in emergency situations
• Operate and maintain a variety of cardiopulmonary technology and equipment
• Record and interpret lung capacity and respiratory function testing results
• Confer and coordinate with physicians and other members of the therapy team
• Prescribe therapeutic regimens and adjust accordingly based upon patient progress
• Build meaningful and trusting relationships with patients, caregivers and families
Writing Your Work History Section
The next step on the respiratory therapist resume template for Word is the work history section. You have already drawn your potential employer’s interest with your summary and skills, so now is the right time to illustrate those qualifications with specific examples from your past work experience. Here are a few helpful hints for this section:
• Include job title, company, location and duration of each experience
• Energize your list by using a variety of dynamic action verbs
• Mirror some of the job requirements from the posting in your bullet points
• Shoot for 5-8 bullet points for each job position
• Proofread diligently while you write and again with fresh eyes before sending your resume
Use these sample achievements to help you generate your own list:
• Performed successful endotracheal intubations on over 150 patients
• Completed routine maintenance and calibration procedures on laboratory equipment to ensure optimum function
• Trained and supervised new hires in several bronchial hygiene therapy techniques, including turning, postural drainage and percussion/vibration
• Assisted with 63 pediatric lung function tests as part of multistep confirmations of cystic fibrosis diagnoses
Writing Your Education Section
A solid academic background and appropriate credentials are essential qualifications for jobs in healthcare. The education section of the respiratory therapist resume template for Word caps off your document by providing user-friendly formatting for your degrees, certifications or licensures. Keep the following prompts in mind:
• List your highest level of education and any specialty certification first
• Include the institution and location of each degree
• If your program is still in progress, go ahead and list your “expected graduation” date
The following examples should give you a good sense of how to write your education section:
Example 1:
Associate of Applied Science in Respiratory Therapy – 2013
Kent State University at Ashtabula – Ashtabula, OH
Neonatal Pediatric Specialist Certification – 2014
Example 2:
Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care – 2016
University of Kansas – Lawrence, KS
Certified Respiratory Therapist credential – 2016
