Respiratory Therapy Technicians

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Respiratory Therapy Technicians

Careers / Respiratory Therapy Technicians

Summary Description


	Provide respiratory care under the direction of respiratory therapists and physicians.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT)

2.	Certified Respiratory Therapy Technician (CRTT)

3.	Life Support Technician

4.	Medical Technician

5.	Oxygen Equipment Technician

6.	Oxygen Therapy Technician

7.	Pulmonary Function Technician (PF Technician)

8.	Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT)

9.	Registered Respiratory Technician

10.	Registered Respiratory Therapist (Staff)

11.	Respiratory Care Assistant (RCA)

12.	Respiratory Care Technician

13.	Respiratory Director

14.	Respiratory Supervisor

15.	Respiratory Support Technician

16.	Respiratory Technician

17.	Respiratory Therapist Assistant

18.	Respiratory Therapy Assistant

19.	Respiratory Therapy Technician (RTT)

Job Tasks

	Work with patients in areas such as the emergency rooms, neonatal or pediatric intensive care, or surgical intensive care, treating conditions such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asthma, cystic fibrosis, or pneumonia. Treat acute illnesses, infections, or injuries. Treat chronic diseases or disorders.

	Monitor patients during treatment and report any unusual reactions to the respiratory therapist. Monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities. Inform medical professionals regarding patient conditions and care.

	Keep records of patients' therapy, completing all necessary forms. Record patient medical histories.

	Use ventilators or various oxygen devices or aerosol and breathing treatments in the provision of respiratory therapy. Operate diagnostic or therapeutic medical instruments or equipment. Treat chronic diseases or disorders.

	Follow and enforce safety rules applying to equipment. Verify that medical activities or operations meet standards. Follow protocols or regulations for healthcare activities.

	Set equipment controls to regulate the flow of oxygen, gases, mists, or aerosols. Adjust settings or positions of medical equipment.

	Collect and analyze arterial blood gas samples. Analyze laboratory specimens to detect abnormalities or other problems. Collect biological specimens from patients.

	Read and evaluate physicians' orders and patients' chart information to determine patients' condition and treatment protocols. Analyze patient data to determine patient needs or treatment goals.

	Assess patients' response to treatments and modify treatments according to protocol if necessary. Evaluate patient outcomes to determine effectiveness of treatments.

	Prepare or test devices, such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, aerosol generators, or electrocardiogram (EKG) machines. Examine medical instruments or equipment to ensure proper operation. Adjust settings or positions of medical equipment.

	Administer breathing or oxygen procedures, such as intermittent positive pressure breathing treatments, ultrasonic nebulizer treatments, or incentive spirometer treatments. Treat chronic diseases or disorders.

	Explain treatment procedures to patients. Explain medical procedures or test results to patients or family members.

	Interview or examine patients to collect clinical data. Collect medical information from patients, family members, or other medical professionals. Examine patients to assess general physical condition.

	Provide respiratory care involving the application of well-defined therapeutic techniques under the supervision of a respiratory therapist and a physician. Treat chronic diseases or disorders.

	Perform diagnostic procedures to assess the severity of respiratory dysfunction in patients. Test patient heart or lung functioning.

	Clean, sterilize, check, and maintain respiratory therapy equipment. Sterilize medical equipment or instruments. Clean medical equipment or facilities. Maintain medical equipment or instruments.

	Teach patients how to use respiratory equipment at home. Instruct patients in the use of assistive equipment.

	Recommend or review bedside procedures, x-rays, or laboratory tests. Prescribe treatments or therapies.

	Teach or oversee other workers who provide respiratory care services. Train medical providers. Supervise patient care personnel.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment — Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment — Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.

Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

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Interesting Fact

The word "salary" comes from salarium, or "salt money" and was used in ancient Rome to describe the wages paid to Roman legionnaires who were compensated in salt.

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