Respiratory Therapists are required to care, evaluate, and treat patients with cardiopulmonary disorders. They work under the direction of a physician and apply respiratory care therapeutic treatments to persons. Their duties are also related with supervision of respiratory therapy technicians and diagnostic procedures. They interview patients, perform some examinations, conduct diagnostic tests, and use chest physiotherapy, oxygen mixtures, and aerosol medications.

Respiratory Therapists usually perform many of the following tasks:
• Evaluating patients.
• Treating patients using oxygen mixtures.
• Performing diagnostic tests.
• Educating families about the use of ventilators.
• Developing healthcare plans.

• Being able to follow exact instructions.
• Having computer proficiency.
• Being able to work alone or with a team.
• Having interpersonal skills.
• Being responsible.
• Having good communication skills.
• Being detail-oriented.
• Having awareness of various methods to combat respiratory problems.
• Being able to work under stressful circumstances.
• Being able to recognize different types of respiratory problems.

Respiratory Therapist jobs demand applicants having an Associate Degree as a minimum educational requirement. A recommendation for this area is having also a Master´s or Bachelor´s degree related to this sector in order to have better job opportunities. Training schemes are offered by medical schools, universities, colleges, Armed Forces, and vocational-technical institutes. Among subjects in these programs are pharmacology, pathophysiology, chemistry, physics, physiology, mathematics, microbiology, diagnostic procedures, patient assessment, application of clinical practice guidelines, tests, etc. Many employers require certificated professionals for this area having a Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certification.