29-1126.00 · Task explorer
Respiratory Therapists: reported tasks and exploration worksheet
Assess, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders. Assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care modalities, including the supervision of respiratory therapy technicians. Initiate and conduct therapeutic procedures; maintain patient records; and select, assemble, check, and operate equipment.
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Read the task inventory
This source lists 23 tasks, including 22 marked Core and 1 marked Supplemental. Labels and dates are retained below. Employers can combine or divide these responsibilities differently; explore the task itself before assuming it belongs in every version of the role.
Task source dates: 08/2026.
23 tasks shown
Core · Task 397 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Set up and operate devices, such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, or aerosol generators, following specified parameters of treatment.
Core · Task 400 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Monitor patient's physiological responses to therapy, such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, or blood chemistry changes, and consult with physician if adverse reactions occur.
Core · Task 401 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Read prescription, measure arterial blood gases, and review patient information to assess patient condition.
Core · Task 408 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Relay blood analysis results to a physician.
Core · Task 398 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Provide emergency care, such as artificial respiration, external cardiac massage, or assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Core · Task 403 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Enforce safety rules and ensure careful adherence to physicians' orders.
Core · Task 18522 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Work as part of a team of physicians, nurses, or other healthcare professionals to manage patient care by assisting with medical procedures or related duties.
Core · Task 404 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Maintain charts that contain patients' pertinent identification and therapy information.
Core · Task 414 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Make emergency visits to resolve equipment problems.
Core · Task 399 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Determine requirements for treatment, such as type, method and duration of therapy, precautions to be taken, or medication and dosages, compatible with physicians' orders.
Core · Task 405 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Inspect, clean, test, and maintain respiratory therapy equipment to ensure equipment is functioning safely and efficiently, ordering repairs when necessary.
Core · Task 407 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Explain treatment procedures to patients to gain cooperation and allay fears.
Core · Task 410 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Perform bronchopulmonary drainage and assist or instruct patients in performance of breathing exercises.
Core · Task 411 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Demonstrate respiratory care procedures to trainees or other healthcare personnel.
Core · Task 409 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Perform pulmonary function and adjust equipment to obtain optimum results in therapy.
Core · Task 406 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Educate patients and their families about their conditions and teach appropriate disease management techniques, such as breathing exercises or the use of medications or respiratory equipment.
Core · Task 415 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Conduct tests, such as electrocardiograms (EKGs), stress testing, or lung capacity tests, to evaluate patients' cardiopulmonary functions.
Core · Task 20410 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Perform endotracheal intubation to maintain open airways for patients who are unable to breathe on their own.
Core · Task 412 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Teach, train, supervise, or use the assistance of students, respiratory therapy technicians, or assistants.
Core · Task 413 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Use a variety of testing techniques to assist doctors in cardiac or pulmonary research or to diagnose disorders.
Core · Task 20411 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Monitor cardiac patients, using electrocardiography devices, such as a holter monitor.
Core · Task 20409 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Transport patients to the hospital or within the hospital.
Supplemental · Task 24033 · 08/2026 · Incumbent
Attend high-risk and caesarian section infant deliveries to provide neonatal respiratory care as needed.
Make the shortlist useful
- Choose one to three activities that tell you something different about the work. Avoid selecting several ways of describing the same interest.
- For each, write an example you can discuss or a question that would change your understanding of the role.
- Keep source task IDs with your notes so you can return to the same description. Do not include private employer or customer information.
The exported worksheet distinguishes the reported task from your own notes. It supports exploration, not a hiring decision or a validated assessment.
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Source and practice material
Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.
Skill Workbench selected and adapted the occupational information and added its own fictional cases, calculations, guidance and worksheets. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these additions. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.