What does a respiratory therapist do?
A Respiratory Therapist is responsible for the healthcare of a patient's Cardiopulmonary system. A Respiratory Therapist specializes in assessing, recommending procedures or precautionary measures, and treating infections, diseases, and even viruses that can cause dysfunction to a patient's breathing. Most duties will depend on the workplace or the condition of a patient. However, they must have extensive expertise, passion, and presence of mind as they work with patients of all ages, and the daily tasks are vital and unpredictable.
Respiratory therapist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real respiratory therapist resumes:
- Manage ventilators through morning planning and protocols for trauma, ICU, and open heart unit.
- Manage artificial airways, mechanically ventilate patients, pulmonary rehab patients and perform CPR in code situations.
- Perform diagnostic procedures such as EEG, PFT, and Bronchoscopy.
- Perform all aspects of respiratory care from intubation to ventilation, and medication delivery.
- Provide critical care services including mechanical ventilation, pulmonary toilet, respiratory pharmacological medicine, overall respiratory evaluation and observation.
- Attend and complete ACLS, BLS, and telemetry monitoring certification courses.
- Perform patient evaluations, treatments, COTA supervision, patient and family education.
- Perform duties as a CRT which include providing care for ventilator patients in an acute hospital setting.
- Certify in ACLS and CPR -My duties consist of patient assessments, daily physician's interventions, and chart reviews.
- Complete initial respiratory assessment and admission EKG on new patients.
- Provide respiratory support in medical codes and emergencies requiring airway management with intubation
- Stabilize patient and initiate NRP as needed including resuscitation, ventilator initiation and management, and oxygen administration.
- Home respiratory care equipment set-ups that include: CPAP/BIPAP, oxygen delivery concentration, nebulizer treatment and conservation unit set-ups.
- Provide pulmonary therapy and education regarding oxygen delivery systems, mechanical ventilation systems, non- invasive ventilation, and chest physio-therapy.
- Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation when warrant.
Respiratory therapist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 18% of 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 Respiratory Therapists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Patients, 18%
Performed invasive/non-invasive ventilator management, treatment medication preparation, and administration to sub-acute, rehabilitative, and chronic patients.
- Respiratory Care, 11%
Assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care therapeutic treatments and diagnostic procedures, including the supervision of other respiratory therapy technicians.
- BLS, 8%
Maintain certifications in BLS, PALS, ACLS, NRP as well as an active license for a Registered Respiratory Therapist.
- RRT, 7%
Interpreted and communicated new Rapid Response Team (RRT) policies developed by LTC Crowley to 250 physicians and support staff.
- Acls, 5%
Certified in ACLS and CPR -My duties consist of patient assessments, daily physician's interventions, and chart reviews.
- Ventilation, 4%
Provided accurate patient assessment and treatment in a protocol-driven setting Initiation and management of mechanical ventilation, both conventional and non-invasive.
Most respiratory therapists use their skills in "patients," "respiratory care," and "bls" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential respiratory therapist responsibilities here:
Compassion. The most essential soft skill for a respiratory therapist to carry out their responsibilities is compassion. This skill is important for the role because "respiratory therapists should be able to provide emotional support to patients undergoing treatment." Additionally, a respiratory therapist resume shows how their duties depend on compassion: "provide tracheostomy care, bronchial hygiene, education, and compassionate care. "
Detail oriented. Many respiratory therapist duties rely on detail oriented. "respiratory therapists must stay focused to ensure that a patient receives appropriate treatments and medications," so a respiratory therapist will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways respiratory therapist responsibilities rely on detail oriented: "instructed respiratory students and oriented staff in critical care and basic respiratory therapy. "
Interpersonal skills. respiratory therapists are also known for interpersonal skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to respiratory therapist responsibilities, because "respiratory therapists interact and build relationships with patients." A respiratory therapist resume example shows how interpersonal skills is used in the workplace: "noted for excellent interpersonal skills with staff and patient population. "
Patience. A big part of what respiratory therapists do relies on "patience." You can see how essential it is to respiratory therapist responsibilities because "respiratory therapists may work for long periods with patients who need special attention." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical respiratory therapist tasks: "home health care; assessing patience compliance, needs, home environment. "
Problem-solving skills. Another crucial skill for a respiratory therapist to carry out their responsibilities is "problem-solving skills." A big part of what 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 respiratory therapist duties can be seen in an example from a respiratory therapist resume snippet: "home healthcare; set up and troubleshot ventilators; educated patients and their families in the use equipment; resolved problems. "
The three companies that hire the most respiratory therapists are:
- Mercy Corps1,912 respiratory therapists jobs
- Aya Healthcare687 respiratory therapists jobs
- WakeMed583 respiratory therapists jobs
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Compare different respiratory therapists
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.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between respiratory therapists and respiratory care practitioner. For instance, respiratory therapist responsibilities require skills such as "medical equipment," "excellent interpersonal," "pet," and "team work." Whereas a respiratory care practitioner is skilled in "rcp," "diagnostic procedures," "bronchoscopy," and "family education." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Respiratory care practitioners tend to make the most money working in the health care industry, where they earn an average salary of $58,106. In contrast, respiratory therapists make the biggest average salary, $55,379, in the health care industry.respiratory care practitioners tend to reach similar levels of education than respiratory therapists. In fact, respiratory care practitioners are 1.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Respiratory therapist vs. Clinical coordinator of respiratory therapy
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.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, respiratory therapist responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "patients," "respiratory care," "rrt," and "acls." Meanwhile, a clinical coordinator of respiratory therapy has duties that require skills in areas such as "respiratory therapy," "rcp," "airway," and "direct patient care." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Clinical coordinator of respiratory therapies tend to reach similar levels of education than respiratory therapists. In fact, they're 1.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for respiratory therapists in the next 3-5 years?
Karen Schell
President, American Association for Respiratory Care
Respiratory therapist vs. Staff therapist
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from respiratory therapist resumes include skills like "bls," "rrt," "acls," and "ventilation," whereas a staff therapist is more likely to list skills in "individual therapy," "mental health," "group therapy," and "crisis intervention. "
Staff therapists earn the best pay in the health care industry, where they command an average salary of $55,251. Respiratory therapists earn the highest pay from the health care industry, with an average salary of $55,379.staff therapists typically earn higher educational levels compared to respiratory therapists. Specifically, they're 24.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 2.9% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Respiratory therapist vs. Respiratory care faculty
Even though a few skill sets overlap between respiratory therapists and respiratory care faculties, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a respiratory therapist might have more use for skills like "patients," "rrt," "life support," and "cpr." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of respiratory care faculties require skills like "patient care," "respiratory therapy," "pals," and "medical gases. "
In general, respiratory care faculties hold higher degree levels compared to respiratory therapists. Respiratory care faculties are 13.5% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 7.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of respiratory therapist
Updated January 8, 2025
