Respiratory Therapist skills for your resume and career

Patients are individuals who receive medical care and treatment from healthcare professionals, including respiratory therapists. Respiratory therapists use patients by providing a wide range of care services, such as performing invasive and non-invasive ventilator management, administering treatment medications, and educating patients and caregivers on proper equipment use and respiratory care procedures. They also evaluate patients through physical examinations and diagnostic tests, and provide care to patients with serious respiratory disorders. As Karen Schell, President of the American Association for Respiratory Care, puts it, "Technology will have to keep up so that patients are treated with quality, well-tested, effective equipment that is efficient and cost-effective."

Respiratory care involves administering treatments and diagnostic procedures to patients with cardiopulmonary deficiencies and abnormalities. Respiratory therapists use respiratory care by supervising other technicians, documenting and reporting patient information to physicians, and applying current practices in administering pulmonary therapies and interventions. They also use critical thinking and problem-solving abilities in managing acute and chronically ill patients.

BLS, or Basic Life Support, is a level of medical training that deals with life-threatening emergencies such as cardiac arrest. Respiratory therapists use BLS to provide life-saving techniques and teach it to other healthcare professionals. They maintain their BLS certification and often provide instruction for CPR certification and re-certification.

RRt stands for Registered Respiratory Therapist, a credential earned through the National Board of Respiratory Care. Respiratory therapists use RRT to demonstrate their expertise in patient care. They perform various duties, such as interpreting and communicating policies, working in mobile environments, and communicating with hospital staff. They also evaluate and help improve the effectiveness of disaster drills and reports.

ACLS stands for Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support, a set of clinical interventions used to manage cardiovascular emergencies. Respiratory therapists use ACLS in their daily duties by responding to cardiopulmonary emergencies, administering care according to ACLS standards, and even teaching ACLS classes.

Life support involves the use of specialized equipment to help patients with breathing or other cardiopulmonary disorders. Respiratory therapists use life support to administer therapeutic and diagnostic care to these patients. They maintain and operate life support devices, and initiate therapeutic interventions under the supervision of a physician. They also use life support to provide emergency care, such as artificial respiration, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and basic life support.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a lifesaving technique used when a person's breathing or heartbeat has stopped. Respiratory therapists use CPR in emergency situations, such as code blue announcements, to provide airway and respiratory support. They also administer CPR as part of the code team and assist with transport to critical care units.

Critical care is a type of care for patients with life-threatening conditions. Respiratory therapists use critical care to provide specialized care in emergency and intensive care settings. They perform various therapies, administer medication, and manage ventilators for patients in critical condition. They also work independently, executing complex care plans and contributing to multidisciplinary care rounding with the critical care team.

Pulmonary function is the ability of the lungs to take in air and oxygen and remove carbon dioxide. Respiratory therapists use pulmonary function to help patients recover from respiratory problems. They operate medical equipment to assist patients in rehabilitation therapy. They also review patient charts to evaluate approval into Pulmonary Rehabilitation based on pulmonary function tests. They even perform these tests themselves, measuring pulmonary function parameters and obtaining blood samples for analysis. They also educate patients on the correct use of respiratory medications and equipment.

NRP, or Neonatal Resuscitation Program, is a training program for healthcare professionals that teaches them how to handle newborn emergencies. Respiratory therapists use NRP in various ways, such as attending high-risk deliveries, performing intubations, and delivering surfactant according to NRP protocols. They also use NRP skills in fast-paced environments where quick decisions are necessary. Additionally, respiratory therapists have the ability to teach NRP training classes and serve as super users for new systems training.

Acute care is a level of care that focuses on treating patients with severe, short-term illnesses or injuries. Respiratory therapists use acute care to provide critical services to patients in emergency, critical, and acute care hospital settings. They manage ventilators, administer oxygen, and perform other respiratory procedures to help patients breathe. They also help patients transition from acute care facilities to home, reassuring them and their families during this process.

Rehabilitation is the process of helping patients recover from injury or illness. Respiratory therapists use rehabilitation by formulating education and exercise programs for patients. They also assist patients in therapy through hands-on training and provide respiratory care specifically designed for rehabilitation. In some cases, they even help establish new rehabilitation programs for patients with chronic lung disease.

Patient education is the process of informing patients about their health, treatment options, and self-care. Respiratory therapists use patient education to explain planned therapy or procedures, achieve optimal therapeutic outcomes, and provide information on managing various types of respiratory disorders. They also use it to facilitate regular patient education regarding discharge information, health care needs, and general support. This can involve developing educational materials for both inpatient and discharge planning, providing information on lung diseases and medications, and teaching patients about various breathing techniques and cardiopulmonary endurance training.

Resuscitation is the act of reviving someone who has stopped breathing or whose heart has stopped beating. Respiratory therapists use resuscitation to provide emergency care in situations like cardiac arrest or trauma. They perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation, provide artificial respiration, and assist in emergency care by maintaining airways and providing cardiac support. They also initiate neonatal ventilator care in high-risk deliveries if needed.