Respiratory Therapy Technicians

Provide specific, well defined respiratory care procedures under the direction of respiratory therapists and physicians.

Job Task

• Use ventilators and various oxygen devices and aerosol and breathing treatments in the provision of respiratory therapy.
• Work with patients in areas such as the emergency room, neonatal/pediatric intensive care, and surgical intensive care, treating conditions including emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asthma, cystic fibrosis, and pneumonia.
• Read and evaluate physicians' orders and patients' chart information to determine patients' condition and treatment protocols.
• Keep records of patients' therapy, completing all necessary forms.
• Set equipment controls to regulate the flow of oxygen, gases, mists, or aerosols.
• Provide respiratory care involving the application of well-defined therapeutic techniques under the supervision of a respiratory therapist and a physician.
• Assess patients' response to treatments and modify treatments according to protocol if necessary.
• Prepare and test devices such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, aerosol generators and EKG machines.
• Monitor patients during treatment and report any unusual reactions to the respiratory therapist.
• Explain treatment procedures to patients.
• Clean, sterilize, check and maintain respiratory therapy equipment.
• Perform diagnostic procedures to assess the severity of respiratory dysfunction in patients.
• Follow and enforce safety rules applying to equipment.
• Administer breathing and oxygen procedures such as intermittent positive pressure breathing treatments, ultrasonic nebulizer treatments and incentive spirometer treatments.
• Recommend and review bedside procedures, x-rays, and laboratory tests.
• Interview and examine patients to collect clinical data.
• Teach patients how to use respiratory equipment at home.
• Teach or oversee other workers who provide respiratory care services.

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