What is a Respiratory Therapist? (Explained)

What is a respiratory therapist, and what are their job duties? What do RTs do while at work? Watch this video to find out

A respiratory therapist is responsible for assessing, diagnosing, and treating patients with cardiopulmonary disorders. They often provide care to patients in the hospital setting but may also work in clinics, nursing homes, or other outpatient facilities.

➡️ Job Duties
The job duties of a respiratory therapist may vary depending on their work environment. However, there are some common tasks that RTs typically perform on the job, including:
- Assessing patients for lung disease
- Administering aerosol medications
- Oxygen therapy
- Lung expansion therapy
- Chest physical therapy (CPT)
- Airway clearance therapy to remove mucus
- Endotracheal intubation

➡️ Where Do Respiratory Therapists Work?
Respiratory therapists have the opportunity to work in a variety of settings, including:
- Hospitals
- Nursing homes
- Rehabilitation centers
- Sleep Labs
- Home health

➡️ Hospitals
Hospitals are by far the most common workplace for respiratory therapists. In addition, there are several different departments within the hospital where they can work, including:
- Inpatient (medical-surgical)
- Emergency room (ER)
- Intensive care unit (ICU)
- Operating room (OR)
- Neonatal ICU (NICU)
- Labor and delivery
- Pulmonary rehabilitation

➡️ Nursing Homes
Respiratory therapists who work in nursing homes provide care for a population of elderly patients with chronic cardiopulmonary conditions, such as COPD or emphysema.

➡️ Rehabilitation Centers
Rehabilitation centers are another common workplace for respiratory therapists. In this setting, RTs work with patients who are recovering from an acute illness or injury and need help regaining their strength and mobility.

➡️ Sleep Labs
Respiratory therapists also work in sleep labs and provide care for patients with sleep-related breathing disorders, such as sleep apnea. This includes performing polysomnography, which is a comprehensive sleep study used for the assessment and diagnosis of sleep disorders.

➡️ Home Health
Home health is a rapidly growing field for respiratory therapists. In this setting, RTs are required to make home visits to patients with chronic lung diseases.

➡️ Conditions Respiratory Therapists Help Treat
RTs generally provide care for patients with conditions of the heart and lungs. Some of the most common examples include:
- Asthma
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Congestive heart failure (CHF)
- Cystic fibrosis
- Emphysema
- Chronic bronchitis
- Interstitial lung disease (ILD)

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🚑MEDICAL DISCLAIMER
This content is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with a physician with any questions that you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you watch in this video. We strive for 100% accuracy, but errors may occur, and medications, protocols, and treatment methods may change over time.

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⏰TIMESTAMPS
0:00 - Intro
1:00 - Job Duties
2:25 - Where Do Respiratory Therapists Work?
2:48 - Hospitals
3:45 - Nursing Homes
3:59 - Rehabilitation Centers
4:23 - Sleep Labs
4:51 - Home Health
5:17 - Conditions Respiratory Therapists Help Treat
6:04 - Skills for Being a Respiratory Therapist
6:46 - How to Become a Respiratory Therapist
7:34 - How Much Do Respiratory Therapists Make?
7:56 - How Long Does it Take to Become a Respiratory Therapist?
8:49 - What’s the Worst Part About Being a Respiratory Therapist?

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🖼CREDIT FOR MUSIC AND GRAPHICS:

#RespiratoryTherapy #RespiratoryTherapist #RespiratoryCare

[tommydub]

Great video breakdown. I cannot wait to wear the badge of honor being a Respiratory Therapist 💯

[uttaraniyogi]

It’s an informatory add .Please send another information, how can we use castor oil in different diseases Thanks for half information.

[faizasaleem]

Can I share the software which you use for creating this video?

[srikanthkodari]

Syllabus of respiratory therapy student in usa ..am from India

[k.k]

hello thanks for such good videos I need to know what the best sitting for my father's bipap it's BMC my father is 78 over weight has respiratory problems where the ABJs reading is high pco2 is high 66
so what's a moderate sitting would be thanks again

[roxyali]

We are anesthesia tech, sharing same work !!

[tipsforhealthylife]

It is an excellent video, Thanks for sharing this information!

[shoaibmehmood]

After graduation in respiratory therapy in which subject should i go for mphil or phd?

[Rezyster]

Blow dart gun my friend !!! It's amazing