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Respiratory Therapist Job Duties

Respiratory therapists work with people who have breathing problems and cardiopulmonary disorders. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, there were 105,900 respiratory therapists in 2008, mostly employed in hospitals. While most respiratory therapists do similar work, their duties may vary depending on where they work.

  1. Basic Duties

    • According to the U.S. Department of Labor, respiratory therapists, under the auspices of a physician, take responsibility for both respiratory care and diagnosing breathing problems in patients. Once he determines a diagnosis, the respiratory therapist will consult with the physician to determine the correct treatment plan. However, a respiratory therapist also needs to be intuitive enough to act on his own as he often works with patients in critical condition in the emergency room or those on life support. Respiratory therapists work with patients with asthma and emphysema, as well as those who have suffered a heart attack or stroke.

    Testing

    • A respiratory therapist must be qualified in performing a battery of tests on patients to arrive at a diagnosis. One test is determining the breathing capacity of the patient. This is measured by having the patient breath into a special bag that then gives the therapist an accurate measure of the volume and flow of oxygen in the patient's breathing. Respiratory therapists also draw and test blood to examine the levels of oxygen and other gases in the bloodstream. Determining the pH level of the blood can also help the respiratory therapist get a better picture of the problem.

    Other Roles

    • Some respiratory therapists do more than test and assist those with breathing problems. For example, respiratory therapists in some hospitals become more involved with their patients, helping them develop pulmonary rehabilitation plans. Others work with people to stop smoking. Some respiratory therapists specialize in polysomnography, which deal with breathing during sleep. These respiratory therapists mostly work with people who suffer from sleep apnea.

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