If you want to work as a hyperbaric technician, you’ll need to know the rules and regulations that govern hyperbaric medical technology, which includes oxygen therapy systems. This position comes with a set of very specific educational requirements. Before pursuing a career as a hyperbaric technician, you must have prior medical experience, particularly in the fields of nursing and respiratory therapy.
As a hyperbaric technician, you’ll be responsible for operating and maintaining the hyperbaric chamber, which houses patients with significant wounds. Such responsibilities necessitate specialized knowledge that can only be acquired through formal education. A high school diploma is required to work as a hyperbaric technician. After that, you’ll need a degree in a medical field like nursing or medical technology. Because hyperbaric medical training is only available as an additional course of study for established medical professionals, this is a requirement.
Community colleges and larger universities offer degrees in nursing and most fields of medical technology. These courses will prepare you for future hyperbaric medical training by immersing you in the medical field, its terminology, and techniques. In addition, having a medical background will give you practical experience interacting with patients in stressful and sometimes life-threatening situations.
To become a hyperbaric technician, you must complete an accredited and specialized certification program after earning a degree in a medical discipline and gaining two to five years of experience in the field. You will learn about the history of using oxygen as a medical therapy, the benefits and drawbacks of such a treatment, the legal implications of this therapy, and how to safely operate hyperbaric therapy equipment during this training program.
The National Board of Diving and Hyperbaric Medical Technology has approved 19 hyperbaric training facilities in the United States. Most countries have their own regulatory body for hyperbaric medical technology. Investigate these organizations and choose the program that best suits your requirements and schedule. A student can typically progress through the hyperbaric training course quickly, finishing in a year or less.
Following your studies, you must pass the certification exam. The examination will cover all aspects of hyperbaric medical training, from chamber emergency procedures to therapeutic gas system details. After passing the exam, you’ll be a certified technician who can work in hospitals and other healthcare settings.