Description

Respiratory therapists assist physicians in the evaluation, diagnosis, treatment and care of patients with respiratory and cardiopulmonary disorders. Clinical perfusionists provide technical support to patients undergoing cardiac surgery and patients requiring cardio-respiratory support. Cardiopulmonary technologists assist physicians in the technical aspects of diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular and pulmonary disease. Respiratory therapists are employed in hospitals, extended care facilities, public health centres, sleep, private or dental clinics and respiratory home care companies. Clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists are primarily employed in hospitals. Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists who are supervisors or instructors are included in this unit group.

Job Titles

• Registered respiratory therapist (RRT)
• Respiratory therapist

Main Duties

• Perform diagnostic tests, such as arterial blood gas analysis and cardiopulmonary functions tests
• Operate and monitor respiratory equipment to administer treatments such as oxygen, oxygen-air mixtures, humidified air or specialty medical gases
• Operate, monitor, maintain and test a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic equipment
• Perform or assist with interventions such as airway maintenance, line insertions, inductions and intubations, and manage patients and associated equipment
• Execute anesthesia assistance services
• Perform artificial respiration and external cardiac massage
• Evaluate and monitor patients’ cardiorespiratory conditions
• Provide and optimize patients’ mechanical ventilation
• Assist with transport of high-risk patients
• May prepare and administer authorized medications
• Supervise and train students and other respiratory therapists
• Participate in home care programs for chronic respiratory patients and provide patient and family education
• Participate in research related to cardiac and pulmonary disorders.

Workplaces

• Extended care facilities
• Hospitals
• Public health centres
• Respiratory home care companies

Skills

• Monitoring
• Operation and Control
• Operation Monitoring of Machinery and Equipment
• Oral Communication: Oral Expression
• Critical Thinking

Abilities

• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Auditory Attention
• Categorization Flexibility
• Colour Perception
• Control of Settings

Personal Attributes

• Adaptability
• Attention to Detail
• Concern for Others
• Stress Tolerance
• Active Learning

Similar Occupations

• Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment (32109)

Source: OaSIS