Occupation
Respiratory therapist
Respiratory therapists manage patients' breathing: ventilators, oxygen therapy, airway management, and pulmonary diagnostics. They are core members of intensive care, emergency, and anaesthesia teams and are often present at resuscitations and intubations. The role carries direct responsibility for equipment on which a patient's life immediately depends.
Also known as: Respiratory care practitioner · Respiratory therapy technologist · Cardiopulmonary technologist
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Occupation content
Part of Healthcare and clinical services
A visual day in the work
What the work involves
Set up, adjust, and troubleshoot mechanical ventilators against the clinical target.
Assess oxygenation and ventilation using blood gases, saturation, and clinical signs.
Manage airways and assist with intubation, extubation, and tracheostomy care.
Deliver aerosol and oxygen therapies and check that the patient tolerates them.
Perform pulmonary function and diagnostic testing and report the results.
Respond to codes and rapid-response calls as the airway and ventilation specialist.
Entry-route stepper
How people commonly enter
A respiratory therapy diploma or degree programme at a college, institute, or university.
A cardiopulmonary or anaesthesia-assistant programme recognised for respiratory practice.
A credential-assessment and examination route for therapists qualified in another jurisdiction.
Typical training: Certificate or college diploma
Licensing: Regulated in most jurisdictions. Confirm the current requirement with the regulator in your province, state, or country.
Work-context map
Typical work context
- Team based
- Fast paced
- Shift work
- High responsibility
- Public facing
Team based · Fast paced · Shift work · High responsibility · Public facing
Related interests
- Realistic (hands-on)
- Investigative (analytical)
- Social (helping)
Realistic (hands-on) · Investigative (analytical) · Social (helping)
Related aptitude preparation
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Skills to practise
Practice suites
Related learning
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Official sources
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Labour-market context (not part of exploration match)
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Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period
Healthcare and clinical services: licensing
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