Do you want to work in a hospital but do not want to become a doctor or nurse? Consider the job of a respiratory therapist. They are a vital part of the patient care team. In this article, we will discuss what respiratory therapists are and where they work. We will also take a deep dive into the respiratory therapist job in a hospital setting.
What is a Respiratory Therapist?
A respiratory therapist can assess, diagnose, and treat patients with breathing difficulties. They work with patients of all ages, from older adults to infants. They collaborate with physicians and nurses to develop a treatment plan. The respiratory therapist is a critical care specialist.
Where Do Respiratory Therapists Work?
Respiratory therapists mainly work in hospital settings, acute care, and post-acute (rehabilitation) hospitals. They may also work in other medical facilities, the pharmaceutical industry, an agency specialized in Home Care services, or the equipment sales industry. In addition, case management is another opportunity for respiratory practitioners.
To be familiar with some of these facilities:
Doctor’s Office
A respiratory therapist may work in a multi-physician doctor’s office. If they do Stress Test, Pulmonary Function Test, or Blood gasometry, there may be an opportunity.
Urgent Care Facility
Similar to large doctors’ offices, if the urgent care facility is large enough and manages specialty conditions, they may hire many different positions like an occupational therapist, ear, nose, and throat doctor, or a respiratory therapist.
Pulmonary Rehab Clinics
Respiratory therapists who work in pulmonary rehab centers perform checkups, treatment, and breathing therapy in an outpatient and in-patient setting. They also help counsel, educate, and rehabilitate patients with breathing difficulties. After the COVID pandemic, Pulmonary Rehab has grown, offering more services and expanding access.
In addition to doctor’s offices, urgent care facilities, and pulmonary rehab clinics, 81% of respiratory therapists work in the hospital environment.
What is the Job of a Respiratory Therapist in a Hospital Setting?
The job of a respiratory therapist will differ depending on the department in which you work. If you work in emergency or intensive care, you will be on call to help when a patient has airway obstruction. On the other hand, a respiratory therapist who works with non-critical patients may periodically assess a patient’s ability to breathe without needing additional oxygen. Some of the specific tasks they do in a hospital include:
Interview and Examine Patients
Breathing difficulties and disorders are common reasons for patients to seek medical treatment at a hospital. They are also symptoms of many diseases and disorders. Plus, breathing difficulties may be a side effect of medication. For example, some medicines may swell up the throat or cause asthma. Understanding what medications a patient takes will help the respiratory therapist know what to look for. They will make notes and report to the physician in charge.
Develop A Treatment Plan
After reporting back to the physician, the respiratory therapist will devise a plan to improve the patient’s breathing difficulties and work with the physician and nurse to administer the treatment.
Perform Diagnostic Tests
There are different tests that a respiratory therapist can administer to assess a patient. Some of the tests include:
Oxygen Saturation Test – A measurement of the amount of oxygen in the patient’s blood. The oxygen saturation test is administered by placing a sensor on the end of a patient’s finger. It measures the light wavelengths to determine the current level of oxygenated hemoglobin to deoxygenated hemoglobin. A reading above 95% saturation is considered healthy.
Pulmonary Function Test – Assesses a patient’s lung capacity by having them breathe into an instrument to measure the volume and flow of oxygen while they inhale and exhale.
Blood Gas Analyzer – This helps the respiratory therapist know the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood.
Testing for Sleep Apnea – Some respiratory therapists may assist patients with sleep apnea and administer sleep studies to determine the severity of the disorder.
Peak Flow Test – To diagnose acute obstruction in asthma and COPD patients.
Treat Patients for Breathing Difficulties
A respiratory therapist treats patients by clearing airways and strengthening throat muscles for improved breathing. For example, they may perform chest physiotherapy to remove mucus from the lungs. An inhaler may help a patient breathe easier. Also, if not enough oxygen is inhaled during regular breathing, a patient may be prescribed continuous oxygen.
In an emergency setting, patients who are unable to breathe on their own can be connected to a ventilator to deliver oxygen to the lungs. Additional emergency procedures that a respiratory therapist may administer include endotracheal intubation, airway management, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Endotracheal Intubation – A medical procedure performed on patients who cannot breathe independently. A tube is placed in the trachea through the mouth or nose. This helps oxygen fill the lungs and circulate to critical organs in the body.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation – A lifesaving technique to help a patient breathe if their heart stops, usually from a heart attack or drowning. Respiratory therapists are trained in CPR and other lifesaving measures, like ACLS advanced lifesaving.
Record Patient Progress
The respiratory therapist records the patient’s progress in their electronic health records so that physicians can access the information and make better treatment decisions. They also keep track of the progress a patient makes on the treatment plan and note any recommended changes.
Educate Patients on Medications and Equipment
Patients may use ventilators and other life-support systems after leaving the hospital. The respiratory therapist is responsible for educating the patient on proper use, cleaning, and sterilization. During a visit, the respiratory therapist may inspect the equipment, check the home for environmental hazards, and ensure that the patient is taking appropriate medications.
What Diseases and Disorders Cause Respiratory Problems?
There are many diseases and disorders that can cause respiratory problems. You will learn about these diseases and disorders during your Respiratory Therapist program at Florida National University (FNU). Some of them include:
Asthma
Asthma is an allergic, chronic condition that inflames and narrows a patient’s airway, leading to the lungs. When the airway is inflamed, it is harder for a person to breathe. Common causes of asthma include pollen, exercise, viral infections, and cold air.
Sleep Apnea
Patients with sleep apnea stop breathing for a few seconds periodically throughout the night. This can cause stress and a lack of oxygen to the body, which can cause many side effects, like headaches and brain cell damage. A physician can prescribe medication or a CPAP machine to help patients manage their sleep apnea.
COPD
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes airflow to the lungs to be obstructed. This disease is caused by smoking.
Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disorder that causes severe lung and digestive system damage. This disorder affects the cells that produce mucus, causing it to become thick and sticky. The mucus plugs up the lung tubes, making it hard for the patient to breathe.
Bronchitis
Bronchitis irritates a person’s bronchial tubes, which carry air to the lungs. The lungs swell and mucus builds up along the lining. The mucus buildup narrows the tube’s opening, causing the patient to have a hard time breathing in and out.
Emphysema
Emphysema is a breakdown of the wall of the alveoli at the end of the bronchial tube. The alveoli or air sacs transfer oxygen into the blood and remove carbon dioxide. Emphysema can destroy the walls of the air sacs, making it hard to breathe fully.
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that causes the air sacs in the lungs to fill up with fluid. A common cause of pneumonia is bacteria. Someone with pneumonia may have a high fever, yellow or green mucus, fatigue, rapid breathing, shortness of breath, sweating or chills, rapid heart rate, or chest pain.
Final Thoughts
The field of respiratory care is a rapidly expanding specialty in the medical profession. This program prepares the students to pass the Entry and Advance Level Exam National Board for Respiratory Care. The program offers the knowledge and skills necessary for a position as a healthcare team member in a hospital, respiratory care department, anesthesiology or pulmonary rehab, pulmonary diagnostics, nursing homes, and home health agencies. The program also includes credit-hour components of general education/liberal arts courses. FNU awards an Associate of Science Degree in Respiratory Therapy upon graduation.
Eager to Learn More?
Did learning about the job of a respiratory therapist in a hospital setting interest you? If the answer is yes, you are ready to contact us to learn more about the Respiratory Therapist degree program and the steps you can take to start working in this life-long career.
Contact us today to delve deeper into our Associate Degree programs.
