Respiratory Therapist
At Mary Free Bed Kids, respiratory therapists provide specialized care and family education for infants, kids and teens who need airway support. They can provide ventilator support, education about tracheostomy care and encouragement as kids and teens learn how to use speaking valves. They provide personalized treatment plans with meaningful goals for infants, kids and teens.
Why Mary Free Bed Kids?
As a CARF-Accredited Pediatric Inpatient Rehabilitation Program, we provide expert, family-centered care designed to support the best possible recovery outcomes. Rehabilitation is essential after illness, injury, or surgery, and research consistently shows that beginning specialized care early can significantly improve a child’s progress.
Our accredited programs, seasoned clinical teams, and compassionate approach ensure that children and families receive the highest standard of support throughout their rehabilitation journey.
Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital holds a number of special accreditations from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities International (CARF). This voluntary but rigorous accreditation process is based on specific and comprehensive standards ensuring the highest-quality rehabilitation.
CARF is an independent organization dedicated to providing reliable information to help patients and families make informed health care decisions. Consumers and medical professionals collaborate to develop the leading-edge standards by which providers are measured.
What is a respiratory therapist
With respiratory therapy, the goal is simple: to protect the airway. A respiratory therapist is a specialized health care professional who helps patients overcome challenges that affect their breathing.
By developing respiratory strength and endurance over time, our respiratory therapists help infants, kids and teens breathe easy as they continue to learn and grow.
What does a respiratory therapist do?
A respiratory therapist specializes in using personalized therapy, medication management and assistive devices to help kids manage and improve their respiratory health. Their work supports long-term health, improves quality of life and is an integral part of a comprehensive rehabilitation plan.
Respiratory therapists accomplish this through:
Comprehensive Evaluation
The comprehensive evaluation gives our respiratory therapists the information they need to develop a personalized therapy plan for your child.
Diagnostics
Our respiratory therapists utilize in-house diagnostics to guide your child’s care and maximize patient outcomes. Our testing happens in child-friendly spaces and helps with care team coordination.
Movement
Even for kids facing respiratory challenges, movement can be medicine. Respiratory therapists help kids adjust to navigating everyday life. To help build lung strength and capacity, our respiratory therapists use play-based mobility exercises.
Education
For kids who use tracheostomies or ventilators, respiratory therapists play a key part in helping kids adjust to new equipment. At Mary Free Bed Kids, family education begins right away. Respiratory therapists work with kids and their families to familiarize them with trachs and ventilators. They’ll demonstrate:
- What a trach looks like outside the body
- Different parts of the trach
- How kids and teens can assist with their care
- Emergency protocol
- What a trach or ventilator sounds like
Family education includes:
- Trach components
- Demonstration of tools for suctioning
- Emergency care
Kids and families are invited to practice respiratory care in our dedicated simulation lab, where the respiratory therapist will be available to answer any questions. By practicing respiratory care in a safe environment, kids and their families are able to gain confidence as they work to regain independence.
Who can a respiratory therapist help?
Respiratory therapists work with children who may have:
- Breathing or cardiopulmonary disorders
- Ventilators
- Chronic respiratory conditions
- Asthma
- Cystic fibrosis
- Muscular dystrophy
- Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)
Where Respiratory Therapists Fit in Your Child’s Rehabilitation Team
At Mary Free Bed Kids, our approach to care is collaborative. Respiratory therapists are one part of your child’s care team. They’ll work with other rehabilitation professionals to help support your child’s long-term health.
Your child’s respiratory therapist may work alongside:
- Physiatrists (rehabilitation physicians)
- Physical therapists
- Occupational therapists
- Recreational therapists
- Speech-language pathologists
- Child life specialist
Examples of What a Respiratory Therapist Can Help With
A respiratory therapist can provide support throughout many aspects of daily life. Here are some of the ways they can support your child throughout their rehabilitation journey.
Ventilator Support
Many of our respiratory therapy patients require ventilator support. Our respiratory therapists help reduce ventilator dependence through a focus on early intervention and movement.
Sleep Support
Through a dedicated pediatric sleep program, our respiratory therapists help kids develop safe sleep strategies.
Independence
Our respiratory therapists ensure that families and caregivers are informed and ready to support their child’s long-term care. By providing hands-on education for families, caregivers and kids, respiratory therapists empower kids and families to take an active role in their care, fostering a sense of independence that extends beyond inpatient rehabilitation.
Why Choose Our Respiratory Therapists
Our respiratory therapists are specially trained to help kids with breathing challenges. Choosing our respiratory therapists means:
- Expert support for kids of all ages
- An environment designed specifically for kids
- Personalized therapy plans
- Collaboration with your child’s rehabilitation team
- A network of pediatric specialists
- Support for future independence
- Family education
Ready to Get Started With Mary Free Bed?
Wherever your child is on their rehabilitation journey, we’re here to help every step of the way. Our pediatric specialists are ready to listen, support and guide your family through recovery. Whether your child is just beginning treatment or continuing progress from earlier care, our team is committed to encouraging their growth, celebrating milestones and supporting every goal—big and small.
Our Locations
Great Lakes Bay Region
Northern Michigan
Southwest Michigan
West Michigan
Mid-Michigan
Southeast Michigan
Indiana
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