Photo: Master Sgt. John Nimmo, Sr. (Public domain)
Job description
Therapists monitor how a patient responds to treatment, watching vital signs and blood gas levels and flagging any concerning changes to a physician right away, then adjust equipment settings to get the best results from a treatment. Part of the job is mechanical too: inspecting, cleaning, and maintaining respiratory equipment, and troubleshooting it during emergencies when something malfunctions. Because mistakes with breathing support carry real stakes, the work demands both fast decision-making and careful accuracy, done as part of a larger medical team while also explaining procedures clearly enough to calm a nervous patient.
Pros
- Much faster than average projected job growth (12.1% over the next decade)
- Standard, predictable hours (30-40), often below a typical 40-hour week
- Accessible entry point via vocational training or an associate's degree
Cons
- Regular exposure to contaminants requiring specialized protective equipment
- Mistakes can have serious consequences for patients, requiring constant vigilance
- Fast-paced, on your feet for much of the shift with frequent emergency calls
A typical day
The 6:45am handoff covers the ICU's ventilated patients, and the RT's first hours are vent rounds: checking settings against orders, drawing an arterial blood gas, suggesting a weaning trial for the patient whose numbers have turned the corner — physicians rely on RT judgment for that call. Mid-morning brings treatments on the floors: nebulizers for a COPD flare, chest physiotherapy, and teaching an asthmatic teenager inhaler technique that might keep them out of the ER. A rapid-response page at 1pm changes the afternoon: a patient in distress, the RT bagging and setting up BiPAP with steady hands. Between crises, documentation and equipment checks. In a code, the airway belongs to the RT — the room counts on it.
Tasks at the job
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Perform pulmonary function and adjust equipment to obtain optimum results in therapy.
Workplace & working conditions
Work happens indoors in a climate-controlled setting, and most of the day is spent on your feet, and you work in close physical proximity to coworkers or the public for much of the shift. The role involves regular exposure to contaminants, and specialized protective equipment is standard.
The pace is often fast, with real time pressure to meet deadlines, and decisions come up constantly and often need to be made quickly. Mistakes can have serious consequences, so accuracy matters a lot. You'll regularly deal with frustrated or upset people as part of the job, and almost all of the work is done as part of a team.
Education necessary or common
Vocational training, apprenticeship, or associate's degree
Licenses & certifications
- RRT (Registered Respiratory Therapist, via NBRC)
- State respiratory care license
- BLS/ACLS
Career path
Related fields
Courses to take
- Anatomy & Physiology — the cardiopulmonary system is the specialty
- AP Biology — clinical science base
- Chemistry — blood gases and pharmacology
- Algebra II — ventilator math and dosages
- AP Psychology — patients who can't breathe are patients in fear
Clubs, activities & competitions
- HOSA (Future Health Professionals)
- Hospital volunteering
- Science Olympiad — anatomy events
- Asthma awareness or public health volunteering
First steps you can take now
- Get CPR/BLS certified this month
- Look up CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy programs (associate's and bachelor's) nearby
- Ask to shadow an RT — hospitals arrange this more readily than physician shadowing
- Learn basic lung anatomy and spirometry from free resources
