# Respiratory Therapists > Assess, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders. Assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care modalities, including the supervision of respiratory therapy technicians. Initiate and conduct therapeutic procedures; maintain patient records; and select, assemble, check, and operate equipment. - Code: 29-1126.00 (O*NET-SOC; SOC 2018 29-1126) - Family: [Healthcare Practitioners](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations#family-29), one of its 96 occupations - Tasks: 22 tasks (20 core and 2 supplemental) - Page: https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1126.00 - JSON: https://foundation.org.ai/data/tasks/29-1126.00.json ## What the work is made of 1. Provide emergency care, such as artificial respiration, external cardiac massage, or assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Core task · Task 398 · Rated by 112 people who do the job, July 2013 2. 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. Core task · Task 400 · Rated by 113 people who do the job, July 2013 3. Set up and operate devices, such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, or aerosol generators, following specified parameters of treatment. Core task · Task 397 · Rated by 112 people who do the job, July 2013 4. 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. Core task · Task 18522 · Rated by 113 people who do the job, July 2013 5. Maintain charts that contain patients' pertinent identification and therapy information. Core task · Task 404 · Rated by 112 people who do the job, July 2013 6. Read prescription, measure arterial blood gases, and review patient information to assess patient condition. Core task · Task 401 · Rated by 111 people who do the job, July 2013 7. Relay blood analysis results to a physician. Core task · Task 408 · Rated by 112 people who do the job, July 2013 8. Inspect, clean, test, and maintain respiratory therapy equipment to ensure equipment is functioning safely and efficiently, ordering repairs when necessary. Core task · Task 405 · Rated by 113 people who do the job, July 2013 9. Explain treatment procedures to patients to gain cooperation and allay fears. Core task · Task 407 · Rated by 113 people who do the job, July 2013 10. Make emergency visits to resolve equipment problems. Core task · Task 414 · Rated by 113 people who do the job, July 2013 11. Determine requirements for treatment, such as type, method and duration of therapy, precautions to be taken, or medication and dosages, compatible with physicians' orders. Core task · Task 399 · Rated by 112 people who do the job, July 2013 12. Enforce safety rules and ensure careful adherence to physicians' orders. Core task · Task 403 · Rated by 112 people who do the job, July 2013 13. 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. Core task · Task 406 · Rated by 112 people who do the job, July 2013 14. Perform bronchopulmonary drainage and assist or instruct patients in performance of breathing exercises. Core task · Task 410 · Rated by 112 people who do the job, July 2013 15. Conduct tests, such as electrocardiograms (EKGs), stress testing, or lung capacity tests, to evaluate patients' cardiopulmonary functions. Core task · Task 415 · Rated by 112 people who do the job, July 2013 16. Perform pulmonary function and adjust equipment to obtain optimum results in therapy. Core task · Task 409 · Rated by 113 people who do the job, July 2013 17. Demonstrate respiratory care procedures to trainees or other healthcare personnel. Core task · Task 411 · Rated by 112 people who do the job, July 2013 18. Use a variety of testing techniques to assist doctors in cardiac or pulmonary research or to diagnose disorders. Core task · Task 413 · Rated by 112 people who do the job, July 2013 19. Transport patients to the hospital or within the hospital. Core task · Task 20409 · Rated by 111 people who do the job, July 2013 20. Teach, train, supervise, or use the assistance of students, respiratory therapy technicians, or assistants. Core task · Task 412 · Rated by 112 people who do the job, July 2013 21. Perform endotracheal intubation to maintain open airways for patients who are unable to breathe on their own. Supplemental task · Task 20410 · Rated by 112 people who do the job, July 2013 22. Monitor cardiac patients, using electrocardiography devices, such as a holter monitor. Supplemental task · Task 20411 · Rated by 112 people who do the job, July 2013 ## More in Healthcare Practitioners - [Acupuncturists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1291.00): 18 tasks - [Acute Care Nurses](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1141.01): 26 tasks - [Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1141.02): 24 tasks - [Allergists and Immunologists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1229.01): 16 tasks - [Anesthesiologist Assistants](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1071.01): 16 tasks - [Anesthesiologists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1211.00): 18 tasks - [Art Therapists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1129.01): 25 tasks - [Athletic Trainers](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-9091.00): 23 tasks - [Audiologists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1181.00): 22 tasks - [Cardiologists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1212.00): 26 tasks - [Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-2031.00): 21 tasks - 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[Ophthalmic Medical Technicians](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-2057.00): 20 tasks - [Ophthalmic Medical Technologists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-2099.05): 31 tasks - [Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1241.00): 18 tasks - [Opticians, Dispensing](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-2081.00): 21 tasks - [Optometrists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1041.00): 10 tasks - [Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1022.00): 14 tasks - [Orthodontists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1023.00): 11 tasks - [Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1242.00): 15 tasks - [Orthoptists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-1299.02): 16 tasks - [Orthotists and Prosthetists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-2091.00): 15 tasks - [Paramedics](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-2043.00): 13 tasks - [Patient Representatives](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/29-2099.08): 13 tasks - 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Nothing on this page is written by the Org.AI Foundation.