Respiratory Therapists

Respiratory Therapists typically perform the following tasks: • Provide emergency care, such as artificial respiration, external cardiac massage, or assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation. • Monitor patient's physiological responses to therapy, such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, or blood chemistry changes, and consult with physician if adverse reactions occur. • Set up and operate devices, such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, or aerosol generators, following specified parameters of treatment. • Work as part of a team of physicians, nurses, or other healthcare professionals to manage patient care by assisting with medical procedures or related duties. • Maintain charts that contain patients' pertinent identification and therapy information. • Read prescription, measure arterial blood gases, and review patient information to assess patient condition. • Relay blood analysis results to a physician. • Inspect, clean, test, and maintain respiratory therapy equipment to ensure equipment is functioning safely and efficiently, ordering repairs when necessary. • Explain treatment procedures to patients to gain cooperation and allay fears. • Make emergency visits to resolve equipment problems. • Determine requirements for treatment, such as type, method and duration of therapy, precautions to be taken, or medication and dosages, compatible with physicians' orders. • Enforce safety rules and ensure careful adherence to physicians' orders. • Educate patients and their families about their conditions and teach appropriate disease management techniques, such as breathing exercises or the use of medications or respiratory equipment. • Perform bronchopulmonary drainage and assist or instruct patients in performance of breathing exercises. • Conduct tests, such as electrocardiograms (EKGs), stress testing, or lung capacity tests, to evaluate patients' cardiopulmonary functions. • Perform pulmonary function and adjust equipment to obtain optimum results in therapy. • Demonstrate respiratory care procedures to trainees or other healthcare personnel. • Use a variety of testing techniques to assist doctors in cardiac or pulmonary research or to diagnose disorders. • Transport patients to the hospital or within the hospital. • Teach, train, supervise, or use the assistance of students, respiratory therapy technicians, or assistants.