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Careers / Respiratory Therapists |
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Summary Description |
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Assess, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders. Assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care modalities, including the supervision of respiratory therapy technicians. Initiate and conduct therapeutic procedures; maintain patient records; and select, assemble, check, and operate equipment. |
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Sample Job Titles |
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1. |
Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Respiratory Therapist |
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2. |
Cardiopulmonary Technician and EEG Tech (Cardiopulmonary Technician and Electroencephalogram Technician) |
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3. |
Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) |
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4. |
Clinical Coordinator of Respiratory Therapy |
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5. |
Inhalation Therapist |
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6. |
Oxygen Therapist |
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7. |
Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) |
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8. |
Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) |
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9. |
Respiratory Therapist (RT) |
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10. |
Respiratory Therapy Director |
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11. |
Staff Respiratory Therapist |
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12. |
Staff Therapist |
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Job Tasks |
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Perform endotracheal intubation to maintain open airways for patients who are unable to breathe on their own.
- Implement advanced life support techniques.
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Provide emergency care, such as artificial respiration, external cardiac massage, or assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
- Treat medical emergencies.
- Implement advanced life support techniques.
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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.
- Monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities.
- Inform medical professionals regarding patient conditions and care.
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Set up and operate devices such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, or aerosol generators, following specified parameters of treatment.
- Prepare medical supplies or equipment for use.
- Operate diagnostic or therapeutic medical instruments or equipment.
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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.
- Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment.
- Assist healthcare practitioners during examinations or treatments.
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Maintain charts that contain patients' pertinent identification and therapy information.
- Maintain medical facility records.
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Read prescription, measure arterial blood gases, and review patient information to assess patient condition.
- Gather medical information from patient histories.
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Relay blood analysis results to a physician.
- Communicate test or assessment results to medical professionals.
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Inspect, clean, test, and maintain respiratory therapy equipment to ensure equipment is functioning safely and efficiently, ordering repairs when necessary.
- Examine medical instruments or equipment to ensure proper operation.
- Clean medical equipment or facilities.
- Maintain medical equipment or instruments.
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Explain treatment procedures to patients to gain cooperation and allay fears.
- Explain medical procedures or test results to patients or family members.
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Make emergency visits to resolve equipment problems.
- Repair medical facility equipment.
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Determine requirements for treatment, such as type, method and duration of therapy, precautions to be taken, or medication and dosages, compatible with physicians' orders.
- Determine protocols for medical procedures.
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Enforce safety rules and ensure careful adherence to physicians' orders.
- Verify that medical activities or operations meet standards.
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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.
- Train patients, family members, or caregivers in techniques for managing disabilities or illnesses.
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Perform bronchopulmonary drainage and assist or instruct patients in performance of breathing exercises.
- Treat chronic diseases or disorders.
- Train patients, family members, or caregivers in techniques for managing disabilities or illnesses.
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Conduct tests, such as electrocardiograms (EKGs), stress testing, or lung capacity tests, to evaluate patients' cardiopulmonary functions.
- Test patient heart or lung functioning.
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Perform pulmonary function and adjust equipment to obtain optimum results in therapy.
- Test patient heart or lung functioning.
- Adjust settings or positions of medical equipment.
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Demonstrate respiratory care procedures to trainees or other healthcare personnel.
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Use a variety of testing techniques to assist doctors in cardiac or pulmonary research or to diagnose disorders.
- Test patient heart or lung functioning.
- Assist healthcare practitioners during examinations or treatments.
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Transport patients to the hospital or within the hospital.
- Move patients to or from treatment areas.
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Teach, train, supervise, or use the assistance of students, respiratory therapy technicians, or assistants.
- Train medical providers.
- Supervise patient care personnel.
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Monitor cardiac patients, using electrocardiography devices, such as a holter monitor.
- Monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities.
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Work Activities |
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Documenting/Recording Information —
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. |
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Assisting and Caring for Others —
Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients. |
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Getting Information —
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
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Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material —
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects. |
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Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge —
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. |
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Making Decisions and Solving Problems —
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. |
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Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work —
Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. |
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Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates —
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. |
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Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings —
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. |
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Analyzing Data or Information —
Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts. |
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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. |
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Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events —
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. |
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Controlling Machines and Processes —
Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles). |
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Processing Information —
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. |
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Handling and Moving Objects —
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things. |
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Interacting With Computers —
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. |
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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. |
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Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships —
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. |
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Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others —
Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used. |
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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. |
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Training and Teaching Others —
Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others. |
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Coaching and Developing Others —
Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills. |
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Developing and Building Teams —
Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members. |
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Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others —
Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks. |
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Developing Objectives and Strategies —
Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them. |
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Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People —
Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people. |
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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. |
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Scheduling Work and Activities —
Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others. |
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Provide Consultation and Advice to Others —
Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics. |
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Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates —
Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance. |
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Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others —
Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others. |
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Thinking Creatively —
Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions. |
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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. |
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Performing Administrative Activities —
Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork. |
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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. |
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Monitoring and Controlling Resources —
Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money. |
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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. |
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Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment —
Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft. |
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Staffing Organizational Units —
Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization. |
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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. |
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Nature of the Work |
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Working Conditions |
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Interesting Fact |
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Casanova, the famous adventurer and lover, worked as a librarian until his death in 1798. |
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Did you know... |
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The MyPlan.com Interest Inventory Test scores and ranks 900 different careers based on how well they match your interests! |
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