Respiratory Therapists

Typical job duties performed with this occupation include:

TASK DUTIES
Set up and operate devices, such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, or aerosol generators, following specified parameters of treatment.
Provide emergency care, such as artificial respiration, external cardiac massage, or assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Determine requirements for treatment, such as type, method and duration of therapy, precautions to be taken, or medication and dosages, compatible with physicians' orders.
Monitor patient's physiological responses to therapy, such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, or blood chemistry changes, and consult with physician if adverse reactions occur.
Inspect, clean, test, and maintain respiratory therapy equipment to ensure equipment is functioning safely and efficiently, ordering repairs when necessary.
Educate patients and their families about their conditions and teach appropriate disease management techniques, such as breathing exercises or the use of medications or respiratory equipment.
Demonstrate respiratory care procedures to trainees or other healthcare personnel.
Teach, train, supervise, or use the assistance of students, respiratory therapy technicians, or assistants.
Use a variety of testing techniques to assist doctors in cardiac or pulmonary research or to diagnose disorders.
Conduct tests, such as electrocardiograms (EKGs), stress testing, or lung capacity tests, to evaluate patients' cardiopulmonary functions.
Work as part of a team of physicians, nurses, or other healthcare professionals to manage patient care by assisting with medical procedures or related duties.
Transport patients to the hospital or within the hospital.
Perform endotracheal intubation to maintain open airways for patients who are unable to breathe on their own.
Monitor cardiac patients, using electrocardiography devices, such as a holter monitor.
Perform pulmonary function and adjust equipment to obtain optimum results in therapy.
Enforce safety rules and ensure careful adherence to physicians' orders.
Explain treatment procedures to patients to gain cooperation and allay fears.
Maintain charts that contain patients' pertinent identification and therapy information.
Make emergency visits to resolve equipment problems.
Perform bronchopulmonary drainage and assist or instruct patients in performance of breathing exercises.
Read prescription, measure arterial blood gases, and review patient information to assess patient condition.
Relay blood analysis results to a physician.
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*Note: Not all occupations will have a full list of Task Duties or associated programs

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Training for this occupational program or those in a similar family of programs can be located at the following postsecondary institutions in the State of Kansas. Please check with a program advisor at the postsecondary institution for more information on the particular focus of each program listed. Programs nearest the local area appear first. Click on the program to find more information.

INSTITUTION NAME	CITY	INSTITUTION TYPE	PROGRAM TITLE	AWARDS	HOURS
Washburn University	Topeka	Public	RESPIRATORY THERAPY	Associate Degree - AS	72
Kansas City Kansas Community College	Kansas City	Public	REGISTERED RESPIRATORY THERAPIST	Associate Degree - AAS	76
Johnson County Community College	Overland Park	Public	RESPIRATORY CARE	Associate Degree - AAS	65
Labette Community College	Parsons	Public	RESPIRATORY THERAPY	Associate Degree - AAS	76
Hutchinson Community College	Hutchinson	Public	RESPIRATORY THERAPIST	Associate Degree - AAS	73
Seward County Community College	Liberal	Public	RESPIRATORY THERAPY	Associate Degree - AAS	72
Northwest Kansas Technical College	Goodland	Public	RESPIRATORY THERAPY	Associate Degree - AAS	76
University of Kansas Medical Center	nMS 2015"	Public	RESPIRATORY THERAPY	Bachelor Degree - BS	120
Concorde Career Colleges Inc.	Kansas City	Private	RESPIRATORY THERAPY	Associate of Applied Science - AAS

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