Breathing is one of the most fundamental human functions, but many people have conditions that make it difficult. Respiratory therapists help patients manage breathing problems and provide life-saving care in emergencies.
If you’re interested in this healthcare career, you’ll want to develop some essential respiratory therapist skills to provide safe, effective, and compassionate care. This article will break down the essential skills you can learn to help you succeed as a respiratory therapist.
What Does a Respiratory Therapist Do?
Respiratory therapists (RTs) provide care to patients who have difficulty breathing. They help patients of all ages, from babies born with underdeveloped lungs to elderly adults with respiratory problems. RTs also work with people who have asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchitis, emphysema, pneumonia, and other conditions.
A respiratory therapist’s duties can vary widely from day to day, but they typically perform these tasks:
- Assess patients with pulmonary disease and other breathing issues
- Conduct diagnostic tests, such as stress tests
- Administer medications and treatments, like chest physiotherapy
- Operate ventilators and other equipment
- Monitor patients’ progress and update medical records
- Educate patients and their families about taking medications, using equipment, and managing diseases
7 Respiratory Therapist Skills to Develop for This Career
Respiratory therapists have a versatile role in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. To do this job well, RTs rely on a mix of hard skills, like operating medical equipment, and interpersonal strengths, such as compassion and problem solving.
These are seven respiratory therapist personality traits and skills you can develop to help you succeed in this career:
1. Knowledge of Medical Equipment
Respiratory therapists operate advanced medical equipment to evaluate and treat patients with breathing problems. They must understand how to set up, use, and troubleshoot these devices, which can include:
- Mechanical ventilators
- Nebulizers
- Pulse oximeters
- Spirometers
- Suction devices
- Endotracheal tubes
- Aerosol generators
- Oxygen delivery systems
New RTs usually learn how to use medical equipment and field-specific math during a respiratory therapy program. Once they start working, RTs take continuing education classes to stay updated on new technological advancements in the field.
2. Medical Terminology
During a shift, a respiratory therapist works closely with doctors, nurses, and other specialists. They use proper medical terminology to communicate effectively with other healthcare team members. Respiratory therapists also use their knowledge of medical terminology to update records accurately, which helps patients receive safe, consistent care.
3. Emergency Care
Most respiratory therapists work in hospitals, commonly in emergency rooms or critical care units. In these environments, RTs often provide life-saving care to patients, such as artificial respiration, external cardiac massage, and CPR assistance. Respiratory therapists also manage ventilators to help patients struggling to breathe on their own.
When working with critically ill patients, RTs need to know how to provide emergency care, even in stressful or high-pressure situations.
4. Patient Assessment
Respiratory therapists assess, observe, and monitor patients to provide the best possible care and treatment. They need to know how to perform diagnostic tests, such as stress tests and lung capacity tests. RTs also monitor vital signs and analyze blood samples to make sure patients are responding well to therapies.
With these skills, RTs can make treatment decisions and respond quickly to changes in patients’ conditions.
5. Compassion
When people have trouble breathing, they often feel anxious or scared. Respiratory therapists can offer compassion and emotional support during difficult times in patients’ lives. By listening with empathy and understanding, RTs can also build trust with patients, leading to better health outcomes.
6. Problem Solving
Every patient is different and requires personalized care. Respiratory therapists use problem-solving skills to assess symptoms, interpret test results, and make treatment decisions. These skills also allow them to respond quickly in emergency situations. They rely on their knowledge and expertise to make decisions in a patient’s best interests.
7. Communication
Respiratory therapists spend most of their time interacting with people, including patients, family members, and other healthcare providers. They use communication skills to break down complex medical information for patients in clear, understandable language. They also teach patients and families how to use equipment or take medications.
When consulting with doctors and nurses, RTs need to communicate effectively to explain patient information and coordinate care plans.
How to Become a Respiratory Therapist
While some respiratory therapist personality traits, like compassion and communication, may come naturally to you, other skills require instruction and practice to learn. If you’re interested in becoming a respiratory therapist, here are the steps you can take:
- Graduate high school. During high school, take plenty of science and math classes, like biology, anatomy, and algebra, to help prepare for a future career in healthcare.
- Complete a respiratory therapy program. In an RT degree program, you’ll take classes in different subjects, such as respiratory procedures and cardiopulmonary anatomy, and have the opportunity to gain hands-on clinical training.
- Earn your license. Every state except Alaska requires respiratory therapists to be licensed. To become licensed in California, you’ll need to earn the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential by passing two certifying exams.
- Maintain licensure. Once you’ve earned your license, you can complete continuing education to keep it active. This ongoing education can also help you keep your skills current, so you can continue providing excellent care to patients.
Build Your Respiratory Therapist Skills at American Career College
Respiratory therapists provide critical, life-saving care to people of all ages. With a combination of technical skills and interpersonal strengths, you can pursue this rewarding healthcare career, helping people breathe easier and live healthier lives.
The first step to becoming a respiratory therapist is completing a degree program. At American Career College, you can earn an associate degree in respiratory therapy in as little as 20 months. The program is offered in a blended learning format, combining online classes with clinical instruction at our campuses in Los Angeles, Ontario, and Anaheim. You’ll also get real-world experience through a 720-hour externship and prep for the CRT and RRT certification exams — helping you gain both the hard and soft skills you’ll need to succeed as a respiratory therapist.
Want to learn more? Reach out today to request more information about ACC’s Respiratory Therapy program!
