Picture this: In an intensive care unit, a patient struggles to breathe after a severe COVID-19 infection. A healthcare professional quickly assesses the situation, adjusts ventilator settings, and provides life-saving breathing treatments.
Think about the last time you or someone you know had difficulty breathing – whether from asthma, pneumonia, or another respiratory condition. Respiratory Therapists (RTs) are the specialized healthcare professionals who help patients breathe easier through various treatments and procedures.
They work as vital members of healthcare teams, providing specialized care for patients from newborns to the elderly. They combine technical expertise with compassionate care to help patients maintain optimal lung function.
Total employment: 133,900 (2023)
Common Names for Respiratory Therapists
- Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Respiratory Therapist
- Certified Respiratory Therapist
- Registered Respiratory Therapist
- Respiratory Care Practitioner
- Staff Respiratory Therapist
What Respiratory Therapists Do
Respiratory Therapists provide specialized care for patients with breathing difficulties through:
- Patient Assessment: Evaluate patients’ breathing difficulties and lung function through physical examination and diagnostic tests to determine appropriate respiratory care plans and track treatment effectiveness.
- Treatment Administration: Deliver prescribed respiratory treatments including oxygen therapy, aerosol medications, and chest physiotherapy to help patients breathe easier and maintain optimal oxygen levels.
- Ventilator Management: Monitor and adjust mechanical ventilation equipment for critically ill patients to ensure proper oxygen delivery and carbon dioxide removal while preventing complications.
- Emergency Response: Participate in rapid response teams and provide immediate respiratory care during medical emergencies to stabilize patients experiencing breathing difficulties or cardiac events.
- Care Plan Development: Collaborate with physicians and healthcare team members to create and modify respiratory treatment plans based on patient response and condition changes.
- Documentation & Reporting: Maintain accurate records of patient assessments, treatments, and responses to ensure continuity of care and meet regulatory requirements.
- Equipment Management: Inspect, clean, and maintain respiratory care equipment to ensure safe operation and compliance with infection control standards.
- Patient Education: Teach patients and families about breathing exercises, medication use, and respiratory equipment to promote better self-management and prevent complications.
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