Respiratory Therapists

Respiratory therapists work directly with patients who have difficulty breathing due to conditions like asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or pneumonia. They evaluate patients by performing diagnostic tests to measure lung capacity and oxygen levels, then develop and implement treatment plans to improve respiratory function. Their daily work includes operating ventilators for patients who cannot breathe on their own, administering aerosol medications and oxygen therapy, and performing chest physiotherapy to help clear mucus from airways. They monitor patients' progress carefully, adjusting treatments as needed and responding quickly to emergencies when patients experience breathing crises.