What does a Respiratory Care Practitioner do?
Published 4 min read
A respiratory care practitioner is a health care professional who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory disorders. They work closely with pulmonologists, physicians who specialize in the treatment of lung diseases, and other health care professionals to provide comprehensive care for patients with respiratory disorders.
Respiratory Care Practitioner job duties include:
- Assess patients’ respiratory status and design individualized therapy plans
- Educate patients and families about respiratory care and disease management
- Perform diagnostic testing, such as spirometry and arterial blood gas analysis
- Initiate and maintain mechanical ventilation in critically ill patients
- Manage airway suctioning and tracheostomy care
- Administer inhaled medications and breathing treatments
- Perform chest physiotherapy to remove secretions from the lungs
- Monitor patients’ progress and adjust therapy accordingly
- Keep detailed patient records
Respiratory Care Practitioner Job Requirements
A Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) is a health care professional who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory disorders. RCPs must have at least an associate's degree in respiratory therapy from an accredited program. In addition, they must be certified by the National Board for Respiratory Care and must have at least one year of experience working in the field.
Respiratory Care Practitioner Skills
- Assessment
- Airway management
- Ventilator management
- Medication administration
- Patient education
- Infection control
- Therapeutic interventions
- Emergency care
- Critical care
- Pulmonary function testing
- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
- Teamwork
Related: Top Respiratory Care Practitioner Skills: Definition and Examples
How to become a Respiratory Care Practitioner
A Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) is a health care professional who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory disorders. RCPs are trained in both the medical and scientific aspects of respiratory care and have a thorough understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system.
There are several ways to become an RCP. The most common route is to complete an accredited respiratory therapy program at a community college or university. These programs typically take two to three years to complete and include both classroom and clinical instruction. Upon completion of an accredited program, students must pass a national credentialing exam in order to become certified as an RCP.
Some individuals choose to enter the field of respiratory care through a more traditional medical route by completing a pre-med undergraduate degree followed by medical school. After completing medical school, these individuals would then complete a residency in pulmonary medicine or critical care medicine. While this route takes longer to complete, it provides physicians with a more comprehensive understanding of respiratory disorders and their treatment.
Once an individual has completed the necessary training, they can apply for state licensure as an RCP. Each state has its own requirements for licensure, but most states require passing scores on both the national credentialing exam as well as a state-specific exam. Some states also require completion of continuing education credits on an annual basis in order to maintain licensure.
RCPs play an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory disorders. They use their knowledge of anatomy and physiology to assess patients and develop individualized treatment plans. In addition, RCPs often serve as educators for patients and their families, providing information on how to manage respiratory disorders and prevent exacerbations.
Related: Respiratory Care Practitioner Resume Example
Related: Respiratory Care Practitioner Interview Questions (With Example Answers)