A respiratory therapist is a licensed healthcare professional who assesses, treats, and manages patients with breathing or cardiopulmonary disorders. These clinicians work across a range of settings, including hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and outpatient clinics.
As specialists in airway management and pulmonary function, respiratory therapists play a critical role in both emergency care and long-term management of chronic conditions. Their clinical decisions can directly affect patient survival, especially in critical care situations.
"Every breath you restore is a life you've touched." - Anonymous
Explore PRN respiratory therapist jobs available near you through Nursa’s platform.
History of respiratory therapy
The respiratory therapy profession emerged during the 1940s in response to widespread respiratory complications seen in post-operative patients and polio outbreaks. Early practitioners, known as “oxygen orderlies,” administered oxygen tanks and monitored patients with limited formal training.
By the 1960s, formal education programs were established, and the profession gained structure with the creation of the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) and credentialing exams through the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
As medical technologies evolved, so did the profession. Today, respiratory therapists are licensed professionals who provide specialized care with increasing levels of autonomy.
What does a respiratory therapist do?
Respiratory therapists treat patients of all ages—from premature infants with underdeveloped lungs to elderly individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Their core functions include:
- Performing pulmonary function tests and arterial blood gas analyses
- Initiating and managing ventilator support
- Providing airway clearance techniques and breathing treatments
In emergency situations, they may assist with intubation, manage artificial airways, and provide advanced life support. Their expertise is crucial during codes and rapid response scenarios, especially in intensive care units (ICUs) and emergency departments.
Daily tasks of a respiratory therapist
A typical shift includes a mix of direct patient care, diagnostics, and equipment management. Daily responsibilities often include:
- Checking ventilators and monitoring oxygen levels
- Performing respiratory assessments
- Delivering treatments such as nebulizer therapy or chest physiotherapy
- Educating patients on inhaler use and disease management
- Maintaining and calibrating respiratory equipment
- Documenting care in electronic medical records
Tasks may vary depending on the facility and unit. For example, therapists in neonatal ICUs work with incubators and specialized ventilators, while those in home health settings provide patient education and monitor compliance with therapy.
Where do respiratory therapists work?
While hospitals remain the primary workplace, respiratory therapists are also employed in the following settings:
- Skilled nursing and long-term care facilities
- Pulmonary rehabilitation centers
- Sleep study laboratories
- Home health agencies
- Emergency medical transport units (e.g., helicopter or ambulance teams)
- Outpatient clinics and physician offices
In rural or underserved areas, respiratory therapists may also support telehealth efforts, performing remote diagnostics or providing virtual education.
Interested in earning more or supplementing your income? Picking up PRN shifts through Nursa gives respiratory therapists more flexibility.
Roles of a respiratory therapist in a hospital
In hospital environments, respiratory therapists take on multiple responsibilities:
- Responding to trauma activations and codes
- Managing ventilators in intensive care units
- Conducting weaning trials and extubation
- Assisting with tracheostomy care and decannulation
- Educating patients pre-discharge on respiratory management
They often serve as the first responders for patients in respiratory distress, making rapid assessments and initiating interventions that can stabilize a patient’s condition.
Respiratory therapist job description
Respiratory therapists are responsible for evaluating, managing, and treating patients who have difficulty breathing or suffer from cardiopulmonary disorders. Depending on the setting job descriptions vary somewhat but will typically include the following tasks:
- Assess patients using diagnostic tools
- Administer therapeutic interventions
- Monitor treatment responses and adjust plans accordingly
They work closely with physicians, nurses, and other allied health professionals, often participating in multidisciplinary teams to support critical care, surgical recovery, and chronic disease management.
Learn more about why interprofessional collaboration in healthcare matters.
Respiratory therapist duties
Therapists use clinical judgment and advanced equipment to care for patients with compromised pulmonary function. Common duties include:
- Administering aerosol medications
- Managing mechanical ventilation and non-invasive ventilation (BiPAP, CPAP)
- Suctioning airways and performing bronchial hygiene therapy
- Measuring lung capacity and analyzing gas exchange
- Monitoring oxygen saturation and titrating oxygen delivery
They also assist in setting up and managing life-support systems for patients undergoing surgery or experiencing acute respiratory failure.
Respiratory therapist skills
To succeed in this role, respiratory therapists must demonstrate a mix of clinical, technical, and interpersonal skills, including the following:
- Critical thinking and decision-making in high-pressure situations
- Proficiency with complex ventilator systems
- Patient education and communication
- Compassion and emotional resilience
- Attention to detail and data interpretation
- Manual dexterity and physical stamina
These competencies are especially vital in acute care environments where rapid changes in patient condition demand swift and accurate responses.
Types of respiratory therapy equipment
Respiratory therapists are trained to operate and troubleshoot a wide range of equipment. This includes:
- Ventilators (invasive and non-invasive)
- Oxygen delivery systems (nasal cannula, masks, high-flow devices)
- Nebulizers and metered-dose inhalers
- CPAP/BiPAP machines
- Suctioning equipment
- Capnography and pulse oximeters
- Arterial blood gas analyzers
- Peak flow meters and spirometers
Knowledge of how to calibrate, clean, and maintain these devices is critical to patient safety and treatment efficacy.
How to become a respiratory therapist
Becoming a respiratory therapist requires formal education, clinical training, and licensure. The process typically involves:
- Earning a degree from a Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)-accredited program (associate or bachelor's level)
- Completing clinical rotations to gain hands-on experience
- Passing certification exams through the NBRC
- Obtaining state licensure
Associate degree programs are more common and generally take about two years. However, bachelor’s degrees may offer more advancement opportunities and are increasingly preferred by employers.
For more about respiratory therapist careers, visit Nursa’s guide on respiratory therapist licensure.
Respiratory therapist licensing
After completing an accredited program, graduates take the NBRC’s Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) exam. Many continue to pursue the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential, which requires passing additional exams and often leads to higher pay and greater clinical responsibility.
Most U.S. states require licensure to practice. Requirements vary but typically include:
- Passing the NBRC exam(s)
- Submitting background checks
- Completing continuing education for renewal
Continuing education for respiratory therapists
Ongoing education is essential to maintaining licensure and staying current with industry standards. This may involve:
- Attending conferences and workshops
- Completing online CEU courses
- Gaining advanced certifications (e.g., ACCS, NPS, SDS)
- Participating in hospital in-services and training modules
Continuing education also supports career advancement, whether into leadership, education, or specialized clinical roles.
Average salary of a respiratory therapist
What’s the average respiratory therapist salary?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data for 2024, the national median salary for respiratory therapists is $80,450 per year, or about $36.68 per hour.
Pay varies by state, setting, and experience level.
Visit Nursa’s detailed guide on how much respiratory therapists make for a full breakdown.
Benefits of being a respiratory therapist
The profession offers several tangible and intangible benefits:
- Strong job outlook: Demand is growing due to chronic disease and aging populations.
- Meaningful work: Therapists see direct results from their interventions.
- Variety of work settings: Hospitals, clinics, transport teams, and more.
- Opportunities for advancement: Specialization and leadership roles are available.
Challenges of a respiratory therapist
Like many allied healthcare professions, respiratory therapy comes with its share of challenges:
- Emotional strain: Working with critically ill or dying patients
- Shift work: Nights, weekends, and holidays
- Exposure risk: Airborne pathogens and infectious diseases
- Physically demanding: Long shifts and patient repositioning
Some therapists use PRN shifts to supplement income and manage burnout more effectively.
Respiratory therapist versus nurse
While respiratory therapists and nurses often collaborate, they focus on different aspects of patient care and as such each profession’s scope of practice is different.
Respiratory therapists focus on the cardiopulmonary system, while nurses provide holistic care across body systems.
Learn more about related specialties like respiratory nursing and their overlapping roles.
Scope of practice for respiratory therapists
The scope of practice is defined by state regulations and facility protocols. Generally, respiratory therapists are permitted to do the following:
- Administer medications
- Manage mechanical ventilation
- Perform diagnostic testing
- Conduct airway clearance procedures
- Participate in emergency interventions
The scope of practice for respiratory therapists may vary slightly by state, clinical setting, and certification level.
Where do you want to work as a respiratory therapist?
Respiratory therapists are vital to patient care in both acute and chronic settings. Their expertise in cardiopulmonary management saves lives and supports recovery across the healthcare continuum.
Whether you're new to the field or exploring ways to earn more through PRN work, Nursa provides clinicians with tools and access to flexible shift opportunities without needing to become a travel clinician.
You don’t have to be a travel nurse to travel.
Source:
