What is Respiratory Therapy?

Respiratory Therapy is a specialized healthcare field focused on assessing, diagnosing, and treating patients with breathing and cardiopulmonary issues. Respiratory Therapists play a vital role in helping individuals breathe more easily, especially those suffering from conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other lung-related disorders. These professionals work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and home care settings, using various medical equipment to monitor, support, and stabilize patients’ respiratory functions. 

Their responsibilities include interpreting diagnostic tests such as X-rays, arterial blood gases (ABGs), pulmonary function tests (PFTs), and CT scans to create effective treatment plans. This dynamic career path combines scientific knowledge, critical thinking, and compassionate care, making it a strong fit for individuals seeking a hands-on, interactive healthcare role that directly impacts patients’ lives.

What Does a Respiratory Therapist Do?

Becoming a Respiratory Therapist can be extremely rewarding. The career provides an opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of all age groups who experience and live with breathing problems. Common services include:

  • Administering oxygen therapy and treatment modalities to improve breathing difficulties.
  • Managing mechanical ventilators for patients who need mechanical assistance to breathe.
  • Performing diagnostic testing, such as pulmonary function testing, and analyzing laboratory data to determine the abnormality from normal.
  • Educating patients on how to manage their respiratory condition or disease effectively.

Helping Patients Breathe Easier

One of the main duties of a Respiratory Therapist is to assess, determine, and help patients breathe normally. They assist the medical team in stabilizing patients with respiratory medication and equipment based on diagnostic testing. Interviewing and assessing patients are vital roles performed by the Respiratory Therapist, including asking questions and utilizing the appropriate equipment to treat the airway problem.

Utilizing Breathing Machines

Respiratory Therapists have various respiratory equipment to help stabilize the patient’s breathing. Some of this equipment includes oxygen adjuncts, nebulizers, non-invasive positive pressure machines, and mechanical ventilators. Additional specialized services are available.

Working in Emergency Situations

Externally, firemen are considered first responders. However, in hospitals, nursing homes, and outpatient centers, Respiratory Therapists are considered to be first responders. Respiratory Therapists are trained to respond to every emergency when someone is having difficulty breathing or experiencing a heart problem that may lead to breathing problems. For example, if someone is having a stroke or heart attack, resuscitation may be needed by the medical team, including the Respiratory Therapist, to stabilize the airway or heart by applying oxygen therapy or an airway tube (endotracheal tube).

Running Breathing Tests

Respiratory Therapists perform a variety of tests, which include arterial blood gas testing to determine acid–base status, spirometry testing to diagnose COPD, laboratory testing to determine electrolyte imbalance, sleep studies to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea versus central sleep apnea, and x-ray evaluations to monitor the amount of pulmonary congestion within the lungs.

Working with All Ages

Respiratory Therapists work with all ages, from premature infants with underdeveloped lungs to the elderly population with respiratory problems, such as asthma, COPD, or pneumonia. They play a vital role in managing the care of all ages in the hospital setting, nursing home, and outpatient centers.

Keeping Records and Working with Teams

Respiratory Therapists maintain patient outcomes using electronic records (EPIC software, Cerner software). They track patient progress and measure values, assessments, and general results. The Respiratory Therapist’s patient evaluation notes are saved in the patient’s electronic records and provide data to support the decisions made by the healthcare team.

Teaching Patients and Families

Respiratory Therapists are trained to communicate and explain to patients how to manage their breathing and utilize their equipment effectively at home, long-term care facilities, and rehabilitation centers. They also educate the family members on the proper breathing techniques and use of the equipment so they can get involved in their family member’s care.

Conditions Treated by Respiratory Therapists

Respiratory Therapists assess, monitor, and treat patients with difficulty breathing and cardiopulmonary problems. Many diseases and conditions may lead to breathing problems, such as chronic bronchitis, asthma, bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, and emphysema. Additional diseases and conditions include restrictive patterns that also cause breathing problems.

Where Do Respiratory Therapists Work?

Hospitals

Hospitals are the most common place for Respiratory Therapists to work. They work in emergency rooms, intensive care units (ICU), floor care, and operating rooms. Their duties include patient assessment, oxygen therapy, and advancing invasive and noninvasive ventilation. They are also responsible for patients’ respiratory care needs in the surgical department or during serious illness. The Respiratory Therapist works closely with the doctor, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, and nurses. They are a valued part of the team in making fast, informed decisions.

Outpatient Centers

In outpatient centers, respiratory therapists work with patients with long-term chronic problems like asthma or COPD. They assess, monitor, and run diagnostic tests to measure lung function and to help adjust and determine medication and therapeutic requirements. Patient education and management of their disease or condition are vital in this setting.

Home Health Care

Some Respiratory Therapists work in home health care, which requires visiting the patient’s home to assess, monitor, treat, and educate. They monitor oxygen therapy, nebulization, mechanical ventilation, or sleep apnea. The ultimate goal is to verify that the patient follows the discharge plan by performing therapy and utilizing the therapy/ equipment effectively.

Rehabilitation Centers

In Rehab centers, Respiratory Therapists assist patients with long-term disabilities and those recovering from surgeries, injuries, or illnesses that affect their lungs. They strive to improve breathing strength and endurance. They are also involved in the 6-minute walk while monitoring oxygenation to determine the distance the patient can walk.

Nursing Homes and Long-Term Care Facilities

In nursing homes, respiratory therapists care for the elderly and long-term care patients who need long-term mechanical ventilation. They assess, monitor, and troubleshoot respiratory equipment and breathing techniques to prevent hospital visits.

Air and Ground Transport

Some Respiratory Therapists are a crucial part of the critical care transport team. They help move patients by inter-hospital or intra-hospital transport for those patients with serious illnesses. Many of these transports take place by ambulance, helicopter, or plane. They respond swiftly and work under controlled, stressful conditions.

Sleep Centers

In sleep centers, Respiratory Therapists help conclude, with the physician’s assistance, the diagnosis and treatment for sleep-related breathing problems like obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea. They set up the equipment needed and monitored the patient’s overnight sleep studies. During these studies, they track how patients breathe and may recommend or adjust the CPAP or BiPAP machines.

Respiratory Therapy at Florida National University

Florida National University’s Respiratory Therapy program prepares students to pass the National Boards for Respiratory Care Entry and Advanced Level Exams. The program offers the knowledge and skills necessary for the Respiratory Therapist to function competently as a healthcare team member in a respiratory therapy department, anesthesia department, pulmonary rehab center, pulmonary lab, nursing home, or home health agency.

Mechanical Ventilation 1 & 2

These courses teach you how to operate and manage ventilators for patients who cannot breathe independently. In Mechanical Ventilation 1, you will learn about the mechanical ventilator and the different modes of ventilation and modalities available for patients who cannot breathe independently, how to set up and adjust them, and the basic principles/ concepts of assisted breathing. Mechanical Ventilation 2 builds on this knowledge, focusing on advanced ventilation strategies, troubleshooting equipment issues, and adjusting parameters for critically ill patients.

Final Thoughts

Florida National University offers a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy (BS-RRT) (Advanced) program and an Associate of Science in Respiratory Therapy program to teach you everything you need to know to become a successful Respiratory Therapist.

Eager to Learn More?

Let Florida National University answer your questions about earning a Respiratory Therapy Degree. Contact us today to learn more about our programs.