Career Details :: Respiratory Therapists
Description
Assess, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders. Assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care modalities, including the supervision of respiratory therapy technicians. Initiate and conduct therapeutic procedures; maintain patient records; and select, assemble, check, and operate equipment.
Experience
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Education
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.
Training
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers.
Tasks
- Sets up and operates devices, such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, and aerosol generators.
- Operates equipment to administer medicinal gases and aerosol drugs to patients following specified parameters of treatment.
- Reads prescription, measures arterial blood gases, and reviews patient information to assess patient condition.
- Performs pulmonary function and adjusts equipment to obtain optimum results to therapy.
- Determines requirements for treatment, such as type and duration of therapy and medication and dosages.
- Inspects and tests respiratory-therapy equipment to ensure equipment is functioning safely and efficiently.
- Demonstrates respiratory-care procedures to trainees and other health care personnel.
- Orders repairs when necessary.
- Maintains patient's chart that contains pertinent identification and therapy information.
- Consults with physician in event of adverse reactions.
- Performs bronchopulmonary drainage and assists patient in performing breathing exercises.
- Determines most suitable method of administering inhalants, precautions to be observed, and potential modifications needed, compatible with physician's orders.
- Monitors patient's physiological responses to therapy, such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, and blood-chemistry changes.
Related Careers
- Dental Hygienists
- Optometrists
- Orthodontists
- Physical Therapists
- Physician Assistants
- Surgical Technologists
Important Abilities
General Work Activities
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Monitor Processes, Material, Surroundings
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Establishing & Maintaining Relationships
- Getting Information Needed to Do the Job
Important Skills
Frequent Work Context
- Job-Required Social Interaction
- Consequence of Error
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Importance of Being Sure All Is Done
- Provide a Service to Others
Related Majors
| Major | Add to XapPack |
|---|---|
| Cardiorespiratory Care |  [ add ] |
| Cardiorespiratory Sciences | [ add ] |
| Pre-Respiratory Therapy | [ add ] |
| Respiration Therapy | [ add ] |
| Respiratory Care | [ add ] |
| Respiratory Care Administration | [ add ] |
| Respiratory Care Technology | [ add ] |
| Respiratory Therapy | [ add ] |
Institutions Offering Related Majors
No institutions found.