Respiratory therapists are commonly found in intensive-care units, emergency
rooms, critical care transport teams and operating room environments, as well
as other areas of a hospital setting. Respiratory therapists treat virtually
every patient population, and often the most critically ill patients in the
hospital. They may work in sleep diagnostic facilities, cardiac catheterization
labs, cardiac stress testing labs, and pulmonary function testing labs. Respiratory
therapists are also a critical part of the code team and perform CPR. Particularly,
establishing a patent airway. The respiratory therapist's duties include delivery
of oxygen via all types of oxygen delivery devices, administration of aerosolized
drugs, Endotracheal Intubation (emergent and elective)suctioning, management
of life support, weaning of ventilation or life support, insertion of arterial
lines, management of tracheostomies, drawing and interpretation of arterial
blood gas samples.