A respiratory therapist is a member of an interdisciplinary healthcare team.  They evaluate, treat, and manage patients of all ages with respiratory illnesses and other cardiopulmonary disorders.

A respiratory therapist performs the following duties:

• Provides care to neonatal, pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric patient populations in the hospital intensive care, non-critical care areas, in the emergency room and in home care.
  
  
• Applies and maintains life support systems including oxygen, CPR and mechanical ventilator support devices to critically ill and long term ventilator and oxygen dependent patients.
  
  
• Provides airway care including the maintenance of a patent airway through intubation, tracheostomy care, clearance of airway obstructions and reversal of bronchial narrowing due to bronchospasms and inflammation of the airways. Extubates patients when appropriate and provides appropriate airway care following extubation.
  
  
• Performs diagnostic evaluation including the performance and interpretation of pulmonary function studies. Draws blood samples and analyzes and interprets the results of blood tests. Monitors and evaluates exhaled gases. Performs direct and indirect calorimetry, transcutaneous and oximetry measurements, evaluates cardiac monitors and indwelling catheters.
  
  
• Assures the accuracy of monitoring systems by providing necessary calibrations, adjustments and quality control.
  
  
• Assists with patient care decision making by communicating with physicians, nurses and other health care team members and by making appropriate decisions as needed in emergency situations.

Technical Standards:

Technical Standards