What does a Certified Respiratory Therapist do?
Certified respiratory therapist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real certified respiratory therapist resumes:
- Manage and maintain tracheostomy vent dependent patients.
- Perform airway management and intubations need for ACLS patients.
- Provide education and instructions for CPAP and BIPAP patients about the actual disease process then report results to referring physician.
- Order HME equipment for patients (oxygen, CPAP's etc . )
- Evaluate, treat, and counsele patients (primarily in the NICU) with breathing or other cardiopulmonary disorders.
- Administer respiratory therapy care and life support to patients with deficiencies and abnormalities of cardiopulmonary system.
- Provide artificial respiration and external cardiac massage, as well as assisted with performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
- Perform therapeutic procedures and regular assessments of patients on assist ventilation with either acute or chronic respiratory problems.
- Perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures to include respiratory treatments, oxygen therapy, ventilation initiation and management, etc.
- Provide respiratory treatment in nursery, intensive care unit, emergency room, medical surgical, and rehabilitation departments.
- Administer CPT to patients in need.
- Perform electrocardiograms, CPR, transports, teaching breathing techniques.
- Monitor vital signs of newborns on ventilators while assisting in NICU.
- Perform routine and emergency EKG's, ABG's and oxygen protocols.
- Educate patients on how to properly use their MDI's and spacers.
Certified respiratory therapist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 22% of Certified Respiratory Therapists are proficient in Patients, Respiratory Care, and BLS. They’re also known for soft skills such as Compassion, Detail oriented, and Interpersonal skills.
We break down the percentage of Certified Respiratory Therapists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Patients, 22%
Worked completing all the various duties of a respiratory therapist Accomplishments Provided excellent respiratory care services to hospitalized patients.
- Respiratory Care, 11%
Monitored state and local regulations along with regional contracts pertaining to the delivery of home respiratory care.
- BLS, 8%
Hold present ACLS, BLS, PALS and NRP certifications.
- Life Support, 5%
Maintained airways and performed ventilation therapy via basic life support.
- CRT, 5%
Performed duties as a CRT which included providing care for ventilator patients in an acute hospital setting.
- Ventilation, 4%
Performed diagnostic and therapeutic procedures to include respiratory treatments, oxygen therapy, ventilation initiation and management, etc.
Common skills that a certified respiratory therapist uses to do their job include "patients," "respiratory care," and "bls." You can find details on the most important certified respiratory therapist responsibilities below.
Compassion. One of the key soft skills for a certified respiratory therapist to have is compassion. You can see how this relates to what certified respiratory therapists do because "respiratory therapists should be able to provide emotional support to patients undergoing treatment." Additionally, a certified respiratory therapist resume shows how certified respiratory therapists use compassion: "love and compassion for pt's. "
Detail oriented. Many certified respiratory therapist duties rely on detail oriented. "respiratory therapists must stay focused to ensure that a patient receives appropriate treatments and medications," so a certified respiratory therapist will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways certified respiratory therapist responsibilities rely on detail oriented: "use assessment skills to write a goal oriented care plan, and progress notes for the patients. "
Interpersonal skills. certified respiratory therapists are also known for interpersonal skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to certified respiratory therapist responsibilities, because "respiratory therapists interact and build relationships with patients." A certified respiratory therapist resume example shows how interpersonal skills is used in the workplace: "provided individual therapy to undergraduate and graduate students presenting with psychological, interpersonal, health, and adjustment concerns. "
Patience. certified respiratory therapist responsibilities often require "patience." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "respiratory therapists may work for long periods with patients who need special attention." This resume example shows what certified respiratory therapists do with patience on a typical day: "exhibited patience and compassion toward patients with long-term, debilitating diseases and conditions. "
Problem-solving skills. Another crucial skill for a certified respiratory therapist to carry out their responsibilities is "problem-solving skills." A big part of what certified respiratory therapists relies on this skill, since "respiratory therapists must evaluate patients’ symptoms, consult with other healthcare professionals, and recommend and administer the appropriate treatments." How this skill relates to certified respiratory therapist duties can be seen in an example from a certified respiratory therapist resume snippet: "administered nebulized solutions using ultrasonic nebulizers and accessory equipment. "
The three companies that hire the most certified respiratory therapists are:
- American Mobile Healthcare78 certified respiratory therapists jobs
- Methodist Hospital Of Henderson, Kentucky58 certified respiratory therapists jobs
- HealthTrust51 certified respiratory therapists jobs
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Compare different certified respiratory therapists
Certified respiratory therapist vs. Respiratory care practitioner
A Respiratory Care Practitioner assesses and treats patients with pulmonary diseases. They diagnose lung and breathing disorders and recommend treatment methods.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a certified respiratory therapist are more likely to require skills like "crt," "physical therapy," "respiratory treatments," and "medical equipment." On the other hand, a job as a respiratory care practitioner requires skills like "rcp," "rrt," "nrp," and "acute care." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Respiratory care practitioners earn the highest salaries when working in the health care industry, with an average yearly salary of $58,106. On the other hand, certified respiratory therapists are paid more in the health care industry with an average salary of $54,094.The education levels that respiratory care practitioners earn slightly differ from certified respiratory therapists. In particular, respiratory care practitioners are 1.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a certified respiratory therapist. Additionally, they're 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Certified respiratory therapist vs. Staff therapist
A staff therapist is someone who assists in the treatment of patients using electrical stimulation, exercise, and other means of electrotherapy to regain their bodily functions. The core skills that a staff therapist should possess to accomplish their responsibilities include a keen eye for details and excellent mathematical and problem-solving skills. The job's education requirements include completing a physical therapy program and possessing a bachelor's degree in medical technician, physical work, occupational therapy, or a related field.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that certified respiratory therapist responsibilities requires skills like "bls," "life support," "crt," and "ventilation." But a staff therapist might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "individual therapy," "mental health," "group therapy," and "crisis intervention."
Staff therapists may earn a lower salary than certified respiratory therapists, but staff therapists earn the most pay in the health care industry with an average salary of $55,251. On the other hand, certified respiratory therapists receive higher pay in the health care industry, where they earn an average salary of $54,094.staff therapists earn higher levels of education than certified respiratory therapists in general. They're 24.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Certified respiratory therapist vs. Respiratory care faculty
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, certified respiratory therapists are more likely to have skills like "patients," "life support," "crt," and "advanced life support." But a respiratory care faculty is more likely to have skills like "patient care," "respiratory therapy," "pals," and "nrp."
Respiratory care faculties typically earn higher educational levels compared to certified respiratory therapists. Specifically, they're 13.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 6.9% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Certified respiratory therapist vs. Respiratory director
Types of certified respiratory therapist
Updated January 8, 2025
