Respiratory Therapist job description

Job description of a Respiratory Therapist

Respiratory therapists, also known as Respiratory therapy technicians, assist patients who have breathing difficulties. These include chronic respiratory diseases, such as emphysema and asthma. Patients include infants with undeveloped lungs to adult patients with lung disease. They may also give emergency aid for a breathing problem, heart attack, drowning, and shock.

This Respiratory Therapist job description example includes the list of most important Respiratory Therapist duties and responsibilities as shown below. It can be modified to fit the specific Respiratory Therapist profile you're trying to fill as a recruiter or job seeker.

Respiratory Therapist Duties and Responsibilities

Respiratory Therapist job description should contain a variety of functions and roles including:

Monitoring patient physiological responses to therapy such as arterial blood gases, vital signs or blood chemistry, and lung function changes, and consulting with physicians if there are adverse reactions.
Working as part of a team of health care professionals to manage patient care by assisting with medical procedures.
Explaining health care treatment procedures to patients to gain cooperation.
Checking pulmonary function in patients.
Providing emergency care, such as external cardiac massage, artificial respiration, or assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Inspecting, testing, cleaning, and maintaining respiratory therapy equipment to ensure it is functioning safely and efficiently.
Maintaining charts that contain patient identification and therapy information.
Measuring arterial blood gases, reading prescriptions, lung capacity, and reviewing other information to assess patient condition.
Setting up and operating devices including therapeutic gas administration apparatus, mechanical ventilators, environmental control systems, and aerosol generators.
Following specified parameters of treatment.
Relaying blood analysis results to a physician.
Making emergency visits to resolve equipment problems when necessary.
Ordering equipment repairs when necessary.

Respiratory Therapist Requirements / Skills / Qualifications

Respiratory Therapist job description should include these common skills and qualifications:

Completion of an accredited respiratory therapy program or technical college course for respiratory therapy.
Relevant licence and certification.
Respiratory care, emergency care, and intensive care experience.
Strong knowledge of pulmonary function and pulmonary rehabilitation.
Experience with respiratory equipment.

As a hiring manager, recruiting an ideal Respiratory Therapist starts with crafting a good job description. Use this Respiratory Therapist job description template to save yourself time and help you attract the most qualified candidates. Feel free to revise it to meet your specific needs.

Job seekers interviewing for the role of a Respiratory Therapist may also reference it in preparation for the interview.

Respiratory Therapist Job Description

Job description of a Respiratory Therapist

Respiratory Therapist Duties and Responsibilities

Respiratory Therapist Requirements / Skills / Qualifications

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