Description
Assess, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders. Assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care modalities, including the supervision of respiratory therapy technicians. Initiate and conduct therapeutic procedures; maintain patient records; and select, assemble, check, and operate equipment.
Interests
- Social
- Realistic
- Investigative
Work Values
- Relationships
- Support
- Recognition
Work Styles
- Cooperation
- Concern for Others
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Integrity
Tasks
- Provide emergency care, such as artificial respiration, external cardiac massage, or assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
- 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.
- Set up and operate devices, such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, or aerosol generators, following specified parameters of treatment.
- 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.
- Maintain charts that contain patients' pertinent identification and therapy information.
Work Activities
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Getting Information
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Detailed Work Activities
- Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
- Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
- Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Technology Skills
- Medical software
- Presentation software
- Spreadsheet software
- Electronic mail software
- Office suite software
Abilities
- Inductive Reasoning
- Oral Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
- Deductive Reasoning
- Information Ordering
Skills
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Speaking
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- Medicine and Dentistry
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Psychology
Most Common Education Level
The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.
Certificates
Certificate name
Sleep Disorders SpecialistCertifying Organization
National Board for Respiratory Care
Type
Specialty
Certificate name
Certified Respiratory TherapistCertifying Organization
National Board for Respiratory Care
Type
Core
Certificate name
Certificate of Completion - BronchoscopyCertifying Organization
American College of Chest Physicians
Type
Specialty
Certificate name
Certified Respiratory TherapistCertifying Organization
National Board for Respiratory Care
Type
Specialty
Certificate name
Associate - Infection Prevention and ControlCertifying Organization
Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc.
Type
Core
Income Percentile
The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.
| Income Percentile | Annual Income |
|---|---|
| Low (10%) | $55,243 |
| Median (50%) | $73,070 |
| High (90%) | $89,827 |
Income by Experience
This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–5 years), to senior level (6–8 years), to expert level (8+ years).
| Experience | Income |
|---|---|
Entry Level  | $71,745 |
| Mid Level | $76,532 |
| Senior Level | $85,157 |
| Expert Level | $86,995 |
Employability
There are currently 133,900 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to increase to 151,400 positions, reflecting a projected growth of 13%.
The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.
Projected Job Growth of 13%
Related Careers
The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services, Lightcast, CareerOneStop, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For more details regarding the data sources and the specific information sourced, click here.
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