Respiratory Therapist
Class Specifications – H.20
Respiratory Therapist 1 – 9050
Respiratory Therapist Per Diem – 9052
Registered Respiratory Therapist 1 – 9049
Registered Respiratory Therapist Per Diem – 9051
Respiratory Therapist 2 – 9048
Respiratory Therapist 2 Per Diem – 4649
Respiratory Care Practitioner Technician – 9054
Respiratory Care Practitioner Technician Per Diem – 9056
Respiratory Care Practitioner Applicant – 9055
October 1990, Updated July 2026
Series Concept
Under medical direction, Respiratory Therapists assist in evaluating pulmonary dysfunction in patients; provide care, treatment, and rehabilitation to patients with pulmonary disorders through 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 level 2. Positions allocated to this title must meet the criteria for supervision as defined in the supplemental guidelines for Supervisor Classes (SAM 12).
Class Concepts
Respiratory Therapist 1
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.
Registered Respiratory Therapist 1
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 2
Under direction, incumbents are assigned regular, recurring supervisory responsibility for a shift during the shift supervisor’s absence. 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.
Respiratory Care Practitioner Technician
Under close supervision of a Respiratory Therapist, incumbents perform 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 in intensive care units (ICUs).
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. Appointment to this level is temporary 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.
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 1
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.
Registered Respiratory Therapist 1
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 2
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.
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 one or two-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.