Respiratory Therapy Job Roles and Responsibilities
| 8 Min Read
Respiratory therapists are frontline healthcare professionals who help patients breathe. They diagnose and treat breathing disorders, manage ventilators for critically ill patients and work alongside physicians and nurses across some of the most demanding settings in medicine. If you are considering a career in respiratory therapy or want to understand what the role involves before advancing your credentials, this guide covers the full scope of the job.
Carlow University’s online Bachelor’s in Respiratory Therapy Degree Completion program is designed for certified and registered respiratory therapists who are already working in the field and want to build the leadership and clinical skills needed to move into advanced roles. Before exploring how the degree fits your goals, here is a clear picture of what respiratory therapists do and what the career demands. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of respiratory therapists is projected to grow 12% from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations, with about 8,800 openings projected each year.
What Does a Respiratory Therapist Do?
A respiratory therapist is a licensed healthcare professional who assesses, treats and manages patients with breathing disorders and cardiopulmonary conditions. Their patients range from premature infants whose lungs have not fully developed to older adults managing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, pneumonia and other serious conditions.
Respiratory therapists work under physician direction but carry significant clinical responsibility day to day. They administer oxygen therapy, manage mechanical ventilators, conduct diagnostic tests and develop treatment plans in coordination with the broader care team. Respiratory therapists work with doctors and nurses to treat patients of all ages, providing oxygen, managing ventilators and administering drugs to the lungs. The American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) describes the profession as one that offers continued challenge and variety, with respiratory therapists staying ahead of the latest trends in technology and patient care.
What Are the Core Respiratory Therapy Job Responsibilities?
The core responsibilities of a respiratory therapist span patient assessment, treatment administration, diagnostic testing, emergency response and patient education. No two shifts are identical; the work adapts to patient condition, care setting and the level of acuity on any given day. The duties below reflect the full scope of responsibilities of respiratory therapists across clinical settings.
Patient Assessment and Care Planning
Patient assessment is the starting point for every respiratory therapy intervention. Respiratory therapists interview patients, review medical histories and conduct physical evaluations to establish baseline cardiopulmonary status. They use the findings to develop individualized treatment plans in consultation with the supervising physician.
Assessment tools include spirometry, arterial blood gas analysis and pulmonary function tests. These diagnostics provide therapists with the data they need to measure lung capacity, identify gas-exchange problems and track changes in patient condition over time.
Oxygen Therapy and Mechanical Ventilation
Administering and monitoring oxygen therapy is among the most routine and critical tasks a respiratory therapist performs. Therapists select the appropriate delivery system, such as nasal cannula, face mask, high-flow devices or ventilator, based on the patient’s oxygen saturation and clinical needs.
For patients who cannot breathe independently, respiratory therapists manage mechanical ventilation. This includes setting ventilator parameters, monitoring patient response and making real-time adjustments to optimize breathing support. Ventilator management is one of the most technically demanding aspects of the role and is central to care in intensive care units.
Diagnostic Testing and Monitoring
Respiratory therapists perform a range of diagnostic procedures that inform initial treatment decisions and ongoing care. Arterial blood gas analysis measures oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood, a critical indicator of how well the lungs and heart are working together. Pulmonary function tests measure airflow and lung volume.
BLS notes that respiratory therapists interview and examine patients with breathing or cardiopulmonary disorders and consult with physicians about conditions and treatment plans. Accurate diagnostic work is foundational to everything that follows.
Emergency and Critical Care Response
In emergency and critical care settings, respiratory therapists provide life-saving intervention. They assist with intubation, operate resuscitation equipment and respond to respiratory failures and cardiac arrests alongside emergency medical teams. About 82% of respiratory therapists are employed by hospitals, and hospital-based therapists regularly rotate through intensive care units, emergency departments and neonatal units where acute intervention is the norm.
Patient and Family Education
Patient education is a core part of the respiratory therapist’s role that extends beyond the clinical encounter. Therapists teach patients with chronic conditions, including asthma, COPD and sleep apnea, how to manage their condition at home, use inhalers correctly and recognize warning signs that require medical attention.
The AARC describes this as an important function that helps patients prevent complications and reduces hospital readmission rates. Effective education requires clear communication, patience and the ability to tailor information to patients with varying levels of health literacy.
What Skills Does a Respiratory Therapist Need?
Respiratory therapists need a blend of clinical technical skills, critical thinking ability and strong interpersonal skills to perform the role effectively. BLS identifies several key qualities as essential for the occupation.
Critical thinking and problem-solving are at the center of the job. Patient conditions change rapidly, and respiratory therapists must evaluate new information quickly and adjust treatment accordingly. A therapist managing a deteriorating patient on a ventilator has seconds, not minutes, to identify the problem and respond.
Detail orientation is equally important. Respiratory therapists must stay focused to ensure patients receive appropriate treatments and medications. Small errors in dosing, ventilator settings or gas concentrations can have serious consequences. Compassion shapes every patient interaction. BLS notes that respiratory therapists must be sympathetic to patients’ needs and provide emotional support to patients undergoing treatment, including those with chronic or terminal conditions. Technical proficiency is required across a broad range of equipment, such as ventilators, oxygen delivery systems, diagnostic devices and monitoring technology. O*NET OnLine classifies monitoring processes and materials and analyzing data or information as core work activities for respiratory therapists. As medical technology evolves, therapists must commit to ongoing learning to remain competent in their practice. Communication skills are essential for collaborating with physicians, nurses and other members of the care team, as well as for delivering clear instructions to patients and families.
Where Do Respiratory Therapists Work?
Respiratory therapists work across a wide range of healthcare settings, with hospitals being the largest employer by a significant margin. Within hospitals, they work in emergency departments, intensive care units, neonatal units, surgical recovery and general medical floors.
Beyond hospitals, respiratory therapists work in cardiopulmonary diagnostic labs, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation centers, home health agencies, long-term care facilities and sleep centers. Home care is a growing area of practice as more patients with chronic conditions manage their treatment outside traditional inpatient settings.
Some respiratory therapists specialize in areas such as neonatal and pediatric care, sleep medicine, pulmonary rehabilitation or critical care. Specialization often requires additional credentials and expands both the scope of practice and earning potential. The National Board for Respiratory Care awards the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) and Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credentials required for practice in most states, as well as specialty credentials in areas such as neonatal care and sleep disorders.
How Do You Become a Respiratory Therapist?
To become a respiratory therapist, you need an accredited degree in respiratory therapy, passing scores on the NBRC credentialing exams and a state license. Most entry-level therapists begin with an associate degree, though employers increasingly prefer bachelor’s degree holders for advanced and leadership roles.
The education path starts with completion of a respiratory therapy program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). Programs cover anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, patient assessment, mechanical ventilation and clinical practicum hours in supervised healthcare settings.
After graduation, candidates sit for the NBRC exams. Students typically take the CRT exam first, establishing basic credentials for practice. Therapists who pass the advanced CRT exam and meet additional requirements can earn RRT certification, a credential that many employers now require for hire or expect within a defined period of employment. Licensure is required in all states except Alaska, and requirements vary by state. Continuing education is mandatory for license renewal and credential maintenance.
For registered and certified respiratory therapists already working in the field, a bachelor’s degree completion program builds on existing credentials to develop the leadership, management and advanced clinical skills that position therapists for supervisory, management and specialty roles. BLS notes that with additional training and experience, some therapists advance to staff therapist or administrative positions.
Advance your respiratory therapy career with Carlow University’s online Bachelor’s in Respiratory Therapy, a flexible degree completion program built for working RTs.
About Carlow University’s Online BS in Respiratory Therapy
Carlow University’s online Bachelor’s in Respiratory Therapy is a degree-completion program designed for working respiratory therapists who hold CRT or RRT credentials and an associate degree from a CoARC-accredited program. The 100% online, asynchronous format allows students to complete coursework on their own schedule while maintaining full-time employment. The program can be completed in as few as 18 months.
The curriculum advances clinical knowledge in areas including mechanical ventilation, pulmonary pathology and arterial blood gas interpretation while building management and leadership skills grounded in Carlow’s Sisters of Mercy values. Learn more about Carlow University’s online Bachelor’s in Respiratory Therapy Degree Completion program.