Respiratory Therapist
Sherellin Posana, Alyssa Ocampo, Kiana Olea, Ardee Josh Noble, and Jolie Nguyen
Educational Requirements
• What are the prerequisites?
• Complete a degree in respiratory care
• What are the degrees?
• Bachelor’s degree: 4 years clinical respiratory care, procedures, pharmacology, pathophysiology,
mechanical ventilation, and advanced respiratory theory
• Associates degree: 2 year and NBRC Therapist Multiple Choice Examination at the designated level
• Where should programs get their credentials from?
• Respiratory programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Respiratory care
• Who certifies your credentials?
• The National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) certifies respiratory therapists
• Two types of certificates:
• Entry-level Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential
• Both bachelor’s degree and associate’s degree are capable of receiving the RRT
Roles and Responsibilities
• What are some of the roles the respiratory therapist uptakes?
• Working with other healthcare professionals such as registered nurses, doctors, surgeons, and medical
assistants to help with breathing issues a patient may have (they are needed in many areas of the hospital)
• Some of the tasks they uphold include:
• Treatment of patient (ex: use of aerosol medications and chest physiotherapy)
• Examining patients to see what breathing/cardiopulmonary disorders. They are also sure to interview them and ask questions
related to their medical/personal history
• Using diagnostic tests (ex: measuring lung capacity)
• Properly teaching patients how to use their medications and equipment such as ventilators
• Working with other physicians to formulate treatment plans for the patient
• What are some of the responsibilities the respiratory therapist uptakes?
• Their job requires them to be able communicate effectively with everyone working in the clinic/hospital since
their job coincides with everyone’s specialty. Units they work with include but are not limited to neonatal,
labor and delivery, ER, ICU, and much more.
• They ensure that the patients are comfortable and ensure they know how to use a lot of equipment (ex: life
support ventilation systems, manage artificial airways, analyzing levels of oxygen in a patient’s blood sample,
etc.
• Educate individuals on how to take care of their cardiopulmonary health (ex: smoking cessation)
Interprofessional Collaboration
• What types of professionals does an RT work with on a regular basis when providing care
for patients?
• An RT works with a wide range of professionals and personnel in different departments of the hospital
• Examples: PCP’s, nurses, EKG technicians, pharmacists, human resources, housekeeping, etc.
• What are some of the responsibilities of a respiratory therapist within the interprofessional
team?
• Main responsibility: taking over respiratory care
• Taking ABG’s, diagnosing lung and breathing disorders, recommending and managing respiratory treatments, and educating
patients about lung disease
• How would one describe the nature of the professional relationship between the RT and
the RN?
• The nurses he works with typically work within a specialty and focus on the overall health of the patient, meanwhile
respiratory therapists work on a broader spectrum and focus on the respiratory health of the patient.
Interprofessional Collaboration
• What is an example scenario that demonstrates the
role of an RT in an interprofessional team?
• Example: resuscitation
• Respiratory therapist responsibilities in this situation include:
• Providing supplies
• Facilitating intubation
• Optimize ventilation
• Maintaining the patient’s airway
Referrals
• How do you get referrals? (Type/Form)
• Phone call, Paper form, or by word of mouth
• What age group do you typically work with?
• Prenatal to older adults
• What kind of referrals do you get?
• Patients with conditions related to respiratory
• Examples:
• COPD, lung problems, heart problems, oxygen dependent, smokers, etc.
• How often do you get referrals?
• Everyday, 24/7 (in a hospital setting)
• Are there specific clinics or areas for outpatients?
• Respiratory clinics, rehab clinics, etc.
• How important is it for physicians to refer patients to you?
• Some hospitals have policies that don’t allow nurses to do ABG’s with patients
• Collaboration with healthcare providers ensures the best possible outcome for patients
Certifications
• Most respiratory therapists get bachelors and masters degrees now, now just
associates.
• What specific types of national certifications are required?
• Certification through the national board for respiratory care (NBRC), along with their
degree
• Neonatal nurse, cardiovascular nurse, critical care nurse
• Why are these certifications important in doing your job?
• You get more education on how to do your job on different levels. You are more able to
care for patients because you have more education
• More training allows him to do his job better
References
Gwynedd Mercy University. (n.d.) How to become a respiratory therapist. Retrieved October 27, 2020 from
https://www.gmercyu.edu/academics/learn/become-a-respiratory-therapist
MaineHealth. (n.d.). Respiratory Therapy & Pulmonary Function Testing. Retrieved
https://www.mainehealth.org/Maine-Medical-Center/Services/Pulmonary-Critical-Care/ Respirator-Therapy-
Pulmonary-Function-Testing
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics . (2020, September 1). Respiratory Therapists. Retrieved
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/respiratory-therapists.htm#tab-2
