Respiratory Care

Respiratory Therapist are vital members of a health care team that evaluates, treats and manages patients with respiratory illnesses and other cardiopulmonary disorders. Also known as Respiratory Care Practitioners, they demonstrate competence in the cognitive (knowledge), psycho motor (skills), and effective (behavior) learning domains of respiratory care practice as performed by registered respiratory therapists (RRTs). In addition to performing respiratory care procedures, respiratory therapists are involved in clinical decision-making and patient education.

What Does a Respiratory Therapist Do?

Respiratory Therapists help patients who have breathing problems. On the job, respiratory therapists perform many duties, including:

• Sample arterial blood for blood gas analysis
• Perform pulmonary function testing
• Develop or modify respiratory care plans
• Provide life support measures
• Deliver respiratory medications and gases