Respiratory Therapist

Class Specifications – H.20
Respiratory Therapist V – 9045
Respiratory Therapist IV – 9046
Respiratory Therapist III – 9047
Respiratory Therapist II – 9048
Registered Respiratory Therapist I – 9049
Respiratory Therapist I – 9050
Respiratory Care Practitioner Technician – 9054
Respiratory Care Practitioner Applicant – 9055

October 1990

Series Concept

Respiratory Therapists, under medical direction, assist in the evaluation of pulmonary dysfunction in patients; provide care, treatment and rehabilitation to patients with pulmonary disorders by means of respiratory therapy, physical therapy, and ventilatory assistance; and perform other related duties as required.

Incumbents administer therapeutic gasses, aerosols and humidity utilizing a variety of techniques and equipment; administer pressure breathing and chest physical therapy; perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation; monitor and measure such parameters as pulmonary and cardiovascular function, blood gas values, and oxygen concentration; draw arterial and capillary blood gasses; perform intubation upon request from a physician; assist with bronchoscopies; service and maintain equipment; demonstrate equipment and techniques to trainees, nurses, physicians, and other hospital personnel; record therapy services; prepare patient charges; evaluate equipment and supplies; and may requisition and/or purchase equipment and supplies.

The Respiratory Therapy series recognizes supervisory responsibilities in levels II through V. Positions allocated to the supervisory title must meet the criteria for supervision as defined in the Supplemental guidelines for Supervisor Classes (SAM 12).

Class Concepts

Respiratory Therapist V

Under general medical direction, incumbents plan, organize and direct a large and complex respiratory therapy program which typically provide 24- hour, 7-day-a-week service and may offer a training program.

Typically at this level, incumbents are assigned responsibility for planning the budget and staffing requirements; purchase of equipment and supplies; control of expenditures; evaluation of on-going programs; and planning long-range goals and objectives. Work is reviewed in terms of meeting overall goals and objectives.

Respiratory Therapist IV

Under general direction, incumbents (a) in a large and complex unit are assigned continuing responsibility for the management of a special program or functional area such as therapeutics, training, equipment and maintenance, or (b) function as the first assistant to the Respiratory Therapist V, normally with supervisory responsibility over other supervising Respiratory Therapists, or (c) plan, organize and direct a respiratory therapy program with limited day and shift coverage. At this level, program or unit supervisors coordinate the inter-shift and intradepartment activities within a unit typically having seven-day coverage, and more than a one-shift operation; serve as the coordinator and chief instructor for a Respiratory Therapy Training Program; or maintain and modify equipment, and supervise and train students and staff in the operation and simple maintenance of respiratory therapy equipment, and make technical recommendations regarding the purchase of new equipment. As the first assistant to the Respiratory Therapist V, incumbents typically are assigned responsibility for broad administrative areas and may conduct surveys and studies, make cost analysis, provide staff work for special projects and supervise Respiratory Therapist III’s.

Respiratory Therapist III

Under direction, incumbents are assigned continuing supervisory responsibility over a group of Respiratory Therapists (usually a shift) engaged in treating patients. Typically at this level, incumbents maintain records, statistics and charges; schedule and evaluate staff; assist with the teaching of trainee Respiratory Therapists; administer treatments; and are assigned continuing responsibility for the quality of respiratory services being provided on the shift. The class may also be used as the full-time assistant to the coordinator or chief instructor of a Respiratory Therapy Program, providing supervision to usually 20 or more students.

Respiratory Therapist II

Under direction, incumbents are assigned regular recurring supervisory responsibility for a shift during the absence of the shift supervisor for a seven-day a week operation. Typically at this level, incumbents are assigned shift responsibility approximately 50% of the time, provide staff with procedural instruction, assist in the orientation and training of RCPs, Registered Nurses, and medical staff, and perform the duties of a journey level Respiratory Therapist, when not serving in a supervisory capacity.

Registered Respiratory Therapist I

Under general supervision and in addition to performing the full range of respiratory therapy duties as outlined in the Series concept, registered incumbents are typically assigned the most difficult patient care cases; participate to a greater degree in training students and new therapists; and assist in developing and refining patient care techniques. Examples of the more difficult assignments which might be found at this level include but are not limited to neonatal and pediatric care, pulmonary rehabilitation, and adult critical care.

Respiratory Therapist I

Under supervision, unregistered incumbents perform the full range of respiratory therapy duties as outlined in the Series Concept. This would include assignments in intensive care such as Neonatal, Cardio-Thoracic, Medical and Pediatric units.

Respiratory Care Practitioner Technician

Under close supervision of a Respiratory Therapist, incumbents perform the more routine respiratory therapy duties and the least complex case assignments as outlined in the Series Concept. Incumbents are not assigned to patients in specialty units such as Neonatal-ICU, Cardio-Thoracic-ICU, Medical ICU, and Pediatric ICU.

Respiratory Care Practitioner Applicant

Under close supervision of a Respiratory Therapist, incumbents perform the most routine respiratory therapy duties as outlined in the Series concept.

Minimum Qualifications

An approved school is one approved by the American Medical Association Council on Medical Education for Training of Respiratory Therapists or one supported by the Joint Review Committee for Respiratory Therapy Education.

Respiratory Therapist v

Graduation from an approved school of respiratory therapy; licensed by the State; registered as a Respiratory Therapist as determined by the National Board of Respiratory Therapy; and possess knowledge and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position.

Respiratory Therapist IV

Respiratory Therapist III

Respiratory Therapist II

Graduation from an approved school of respiratory therapy; licensed by the State; registry eligible or registered as a Respiratory Therapist as determined by the National Board of Respiratory Therapy; and possess knowledge and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position.

Registered Respiratory Therapist I

Graduation from an approved school of respiratory therapy; licensed by the State; and registered as a Respiratory Therapist as determined by the National Board of Respiratory Therapy; and possess knowledge and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position.

Respiratory Therapist I

Graduation from an approved school of respiratory therapy; licensed by the State; eligible for registration as a Respiratory Therapist as determined by the National Board of Respiratory Therapy; and possess knowledge and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position.

Respiratory Care Practitioner Technician

Incumbent must be at least a 1-year graduate from an approved school of respiratory therapy; licensed by the state; and possess knowledge and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position.

Respiratory Care Practitioner Applicant

Incumbents must have completed a 1- or 2-year training program in respiratory therapy from an approved school and possess knowledge and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position. Appointment to this class is made on a temporary basis while the unlicensed applicant is awaiting test results from the state administered Respiratory Care Practitioner exam. Incumbents are typically appointed to the Respiratory Therapist I level upon receipt of State licensure.

Note: Specific qualification requirements are approved for positions by the Personnel Manager in accordance with the provisions of Staff Personnel Policies 210.8 and 210.9.