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Respiratory Therapists

SOC 29-1126.00Job Zone 3 · Medium Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers respiratory therapists working across acute care, critical care, emergency, and specialty inpatient settings, from entry-level clinical practice through departmental leadership and organizational strategy.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Respiratory therapy equipment (ventilators, aerosol generators, oxygen delivery devices) — identify and set up under direct supervision in an inpatient clinical setting.
  2. Patient prescriptions and basic medical records — read and review with guidance to gather initial information about a patient's respiratory condition.
  3. Arterial blood gas collection procedures — perform foundational steps under close supervision in an acute care unit.
  4. Blood analysis results — relay accurately to the supervising physician or charge nurse using standard communication protocols.
  5. Patient vital signs and physiological responses — record and report changes to a supervising clinician during routine therapy sessions.
  6. Basic emergency response protocols (artificial respiration, CPR support) — recognize activation cues and assist credentialed staff during simulated or supervised emergency scenarios.
  7. Patient therapy charts — document pertinent identification data and treatment information under direction following departmental charting standards.
  8. Respiratory therapy equipment cleaning and inspection checklists — complete step-by-step under supervision to support equipment safety in a clinical environment.
  9. Healthcare team communications — participate in structured handoff and bedside rounds by listening actively and relaying observations in clear, concise language.
  10. Scheduling and electronic health record software — navigate basic functions to locate patient assignments and log therapy data under supervisory guidance.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Mechanical ventilators and therapeutic gas administration apparatus — set up, calibrate, and adjust within prescribed parameters for stable patients across general medical-surgical and step-down units.
  2. Arterial blood gases and blood chemistry results — measure, interpret within normal reference ranges, and consult the physician independently when values indicate adverse patient response.
  3. Patient physiological monitoring data — analyze trends in vital signs and respiratory indicators and adapt therapy delivery to maintain patient safety with routine oversight.
  4. Emergency care interventions (external cardiac massage, assisted ventilation) — execute established protocols during actual emergent events under a team-based hospital response structure.
  5. Patient condition assessments — integrate prescription review, arterial blood gas values, and clinical history to form a working clinical picture without step-by-step direction.
  6. Respiratory therapy equipment maintenance schedules — perform inspection, cleaning, and functional testing independently and initiate repair orders when equipment performance deviates from specifications.
  7. Multidisciplinary care teams — coordinate effectively with physicians and nurses during procedures and care-plan discussions, contributing respiratory-focused clinical observations.
  8. Therapy documentation — maintain complete and accurate patient records in medical software platforms, applying departmental standards with minimal correction needed.
  9. Active learning strategies — apply updated clinical guidelines and continuing education content to daily practice in familiar patient-care contexts.
  10. Time management tools (scheduling software, task lists) — organize a multi-patient caseload across a shift to ensure timely therapy delivery in a busy inpatient department.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Complex ventilator management — autonomously optimize mode, pressure, volume, and weaning parameters for critically ill patients across ICU and emergency department environments.
  2. Comprehensive patient assessments — integrate prescription data, arterial blood gas analysis, chest imaging context, and clinical observations to formulate and execute individualized respiratory care plans.
  3. Non-routine physiological events — apply inductive and deductive reasoning to identify atypical patient responses and implement evidence-based interventions without physician prompting.
  4. Advanced emergency interventions — lead or fully participate in resuscitation efforts, including coordinating CPR, airway management, and cardiac support within a rapid-response team.
  5. Environmental control and specialty aerosol therapy systems — operate and troubleshoot across diverse clinical settings including neonatal, pediatric, and adult populations.
  6. Clinical judgment and decision-making — independently evaluate risk-benefit tradeoffs when standard protocols do not clearly apply, escalating appropriately and documenting clinical rationale.
  7. Interdisciplinary collaboration — take a primary role in care-coordination discussions, translating respiratory data into actionable clinical recommendations for physicians, nurses, and allied health colleagues.
  8. Equipment safety programs — oversee the full lifecycle of respiratory devices, identifying systemic maintenance issues and recommending procurement or process changes to department leadership.
  9. Complex problem solving — diagnose multifactorial causes of treatment failure (patient, equipment, and protocol factors) and implement corrective plans with measurable outcomes.
  10. Patient and family education — design and deliver clear, empathetic explanations of respiratory conditions and home therapy devices, adapting communication style to health literacy level.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Departmental respiratory care standards and clinical protocols — develop, revise, and implement evidence-based guidelines that govern practice across an entire respiratory therapy department.
  2. Respiratory therapy staff — mentor, supervise, and evaluate emerging and developing therapists, designing individualized learning strategies to accelerate competency growth.
  3. Organizational quality-improvement initiatives — lead data-driven projects targeting ventilator-associated events, readmission rates, or therapy utilization, presenting findings to hospital leadership.
  4. Interdisciplinary care models — champion respiratory therapy integration into ICU liberation bundles, rapid-response teams, and care-transition programs at the institutional level.
  5. Advanced clinical education programs — design and deliver orientation curricula, simulation training, and continuing-education sessions that elevate team-wide clinical performance.
  6. Healthcare technology selection — evaluate and advocate for acquisition of respiratory equipment and medical software platforms, applying technical expertise and cost-benefit analysis for executive decision-makers.
  7. Regulatory and accreditation compliance — ensure departmental practices meet Joint Commission, state licensure, and professional credentialing requirements, leading audit readiness activities.
  8. Strategic workforce planning — assess staffing models, recruitment pipelines, and retention strategies to sustain a competent respiratory therapy workforce aligned with organizational growth.
  9. Cross-functional leadership — represent respiratory therapy perspectives on hospital committees, policy bodies, and community health partnerships, influencing care delivery beyond the department.
  10. Research and knowledge translation — evaluate emerging evidence in respiratory medicine, synthesize findings into practice recommendations, and disseminate insights through professional channels or institutional publications.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Authoritative source data identified for 998 occupations

How a worker at each mastery level uses, directs, and evaluates AI tools in this occupation. Each statement cites its evidence inline; click a citation chip to verify the source.

Emerging
  1. AI-assisted patient documentation — uses AI tools to draft and populate routine therapy records and charts, reducing manual transcription time while verifying all entries against direct patient observation WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  2. Ventilator parameter lookup — queries AI assistants for reference ranges and protocol summaries to support setup of mechanical ventilators, confirming recommendations against institutional guidelines before applying them.
Developing
  1. Physiological data pattern recognition — submits arterial blood gas trends and vital sign logs to AI-assisted monitoring tools to surface early warning signals, then interprets flagged deviations using clinical judgment before consulting a physician Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  2. Care team communication support — uses AI to draft structured handoff notes and inter-team communications, editing output to ensure accuracy of patient-specific therapy details WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  3. Protocol decision support — applies AI-generated treatment pathway suggestions as a secondary reference during therapy planning, cross-checking recommendations against physician orders and patient status.
Proficient
  1. Active listening augmented by AI transcription — leverages AI transcription tools during patient intake and care-team rounds to capture spoken clinical details accurately, while maintaining direct engagement with patients and colleagues to assess emotional and contextual cues that AI cannot interpret Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  2. Adverse-reaction triage support — routes complex sets of patient vitals and lab results through AI clinical decision tools to prioritize which deviations require immediate physician consultation, retaining responsibility for the final escalation decision Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  3. Therapy outcome tracking — directs AI analytics tools to aggregate longitudinal patient response data across multiple treatment sessions, then synthesizes trends to adjust aerosol generator settings and therapeutic gas parameters in collaboration with the care team.
Advanced
  1. Critical-thinking governance over AI recommendations — evaluates AI-generated ventilator weaning protocols and respiratory therapy plans against patient-specific contraindications, anatomy, and comorbidities, overriding or modifying AI output when clinical evidence demands it Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  2. AI tool integration leadership — guides department adoption of AI-assisted monitoring and documentation systems, defining validation checkpoints and staff competency standards to ensure AI outputs are used as augmentation of clinical expertise rather than substitutes for it WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  3. Emergency scenario AI boundary-setting — establishes clear procedural protocols distinguishing tasks that remain fully human-executed — such as manual cardiopulmonary resuscitation and real-time emergency airway management — from tasks where AI monitoring tools provide decision support, maintaining patient safety under time-critical conditions Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
Evidence pack
SAFI positioning
Top skill: Active Listening
Score: 42.2 / 100
Quadrant: Q2_ai_augmented
precision: exact
WEF cluster
Human-Technology Interaction
human_technology_interaction
Sources:WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.

Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework

Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Ten durable-skill domains mapped to four proficiency/role levels for each occupation. Each statement is aligned to the Pathsmith taxonomy, derived from trusted grounding data and mapped to occupation-specific O*NET tasks and skills.

1Communication12 statements
Emerging
  1. Patient history intake — collects basic respiratory symptoms and medication use through structured questioning during initial patient assessment Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Blood gas result relay — communicates arterial blood gas values to supervising physician using standard clinical terminology under direct guidance O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Therapy documentation — records patient identification and treatment parameters in charts with support from experienced staff O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Physician consultation — relays adverse patient reactions and physiological changes to physicians using precise clinical language during routine monitoring Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Patient education delivery — explains breathing exercises, inhaler technique, and home oxygen use to patients and families with increasing clarity and independence O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Interdisciplinary reporting — contributes relevant respiratory findings during team rounds, adapting technical language for nurses and physicians Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Emergency scenario communication — issues clear, rapid verbal instructions to care team members during cardiopulmonary resuscitation and respiratory emergencies Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Written clinical documentation — maintains complete and accurate ventilator settings, therapy responses, and blood chemistry results in patient charts with full independence O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Cross-disciplinary translation — conveys complex arterial blood gas interpretations and ventilator weaning rationale to non-respiratory clinicians in accessible terms Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Staff communication coaching — models precise clinical reporting standards for new respiratory therapists and student externs across diverse patient scenarios Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Institutional protocol authorship — drafts and refines departmental documentation templates and communication protocols for respiratory therapy services Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Patient advocacy communication — articulates patient respiratory needs and treatment rationale persuasively in multidisciplinary care conferences and escalation situations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
2Leadership10 statements
Emerging
  1. Equipment readiness ownership — takes personal responsibility for inspecting and preparing assigned respiratory devices before patient contact without being prompted Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Peer assistance — supports fellow students or new colleagues in locating supplies and navigating department procedures during orientation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Care coordination initiative — proactively identifies patients due for reassessment and flags concerns to the supervising therapist or physician before condition deteriorates Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Student orientation support — guides clinical students through ventilator setup procedures and documentation practices under supervisor oversight Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Emergency team leadership — directs respiratory care activities during codes and rapid-response events, assigning tasks to support staff and coordinating with physicians Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Shift accountability — accepts full responsibility for the respiratory status and equipment integrity of an assigned patient load across an entire shift Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Protocol adherence leadership — models correct ventilator management and infection-control practices that set the standard for unit-wide compliance Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Departmental program leadership — leads quality-improvement initiatives targeting ventilator-associated event reduction or weaning protocol optimization across the respiratory therapy department Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Mentorship of junior therapists — guides developing respiratory therapists through complex cases, professional challenges, and career development planning Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Interdepartmental influence — represents respiratory therapy perspectives in hospital-wide committees addressing critical care policy and resource allocation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
3Metacognition8 statements
Emerging
  1. Self-assessment of skill gaps — identifies areas of uncertainty in ventilator management or blood gas interpretation and seeks direct supervision proactively Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Reflection on patient outcomes — reviews outcomes of therapy sessions to identify what monitoring signs were missed or misread Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Learning strategy adaptation — adjusts personal study and skill-building approach based on feedback from clinical supervisors after complex case reviews Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Error recognition — detects own miscalculations in oxygen delivery settings and self-corrects before adverse patient effects occur Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Clinical reasoning audit — evaluates own assessment process after ambiguous patient presentations to identify where diagnostic reasoning diverged from best evidence Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Competency monitoring — tracks personal performance across ventilator weaning, emergency response, and aerosol therapy to identify domains requiring continued development Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Reflective practice modeling — facilitates structured case debriefs with junior therapists that build team-wide metacognitive habits around respiratory patient monitoring Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Knowledge currency evaluation — systematically assesses own alignment with emerging evidence in mechanical ventilation and adjusts clinical practice accordingly Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
4Critical Thinking9 statements
Emerging
  1. Prescription review — reads and verifies physician orders for respiratory therapy against patient weight and diagnosis before initiating treatment O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Basic blood gas interpretation — identifies normal versus abnormal arterial blood gas values using reference ranges under direct supervision O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Adverse reaction analysis — evaluates patient physiological responses during therapy to determine whether observed changes reflect expected outcomes or require physician notification Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Equipment troubleshooting — diagnoses common mechanical ventilator alarms by systematically ruling out patient-side and equipment-side causes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Ventilator weaning judgment — integrates oxygenation indices, patient effort, and hemodynamic data to determine readiness for ventilator liberation in complex ICU patients Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Differential assessment — distinguishes between obstructive, restrictive, and mixed pulmonary patterns from spirometry and clinical data to guide therapy selection O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Evidence evaluation — appraises clinical literature on new aerosolization or ventilation modalities to determine applicability to unit patient population Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Protocol critique and refinement — analyzes institutional respiratory care protocols against current clinical evidence and proposes evidence-based modifications to department leadership Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Complex case synthesis — integrates multisystem physiological data to advise physicians on respiratory management strategies for patients with concurrent cardiac, neurological, and pulmonary compromise Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
5Collaboration8 statements
Emerging
  1. Care team participation — attends physician-led rounds and contributes respiratory therapy observations when invited by supervising staff Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Equipment handoff communication — coordinates with oncoming shift therapist to transfer accurate ventilator settings and patient status information O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Multidisciplinary procedure support — assists physicians and nurses with bronchoscopy, intubation, and tracheostomy care by anticipating equipment and supply needs Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Nursing collaboration — coordinates aerosolized medication timing with nursing medication schedules to optimize therapeutic effect and patient compliance O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Rapid-response team integration — functions as the respiratory expert within rapid-response and code teams, executing airway management while physicians and nurses manage other systems simultaneously Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Shared care planning — collaborates with pulmonologists, intensivists, and physical therapists to design ventilator weaning and early mobilization plans for long-term ventilated patients Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Cross-unit collaboration leadership — builds collaborative workflows between the respiratory therapy department, ICU, and emergency department to standardize acute respiratory failure response Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Interprofessional education facilitation — co-leads simulation training with nursing and physician educators to rehearse team-based respiratory emergency management Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
6Character9 statements
Emerging
  1. Patient confidentiality adherence — handles patient charts and blood analysis results with strict attention to privacy protocols from first clinical placement Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Accountability for equipment — reports equipment malfunctions or failed safety checks immediately rather than deferring the issue to another shift Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Ethical boundary maintenance — declines to perform or document procedures outside personal scope of competency and escalates appropriately to supervisors Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Professional reliability — completes full equipment inspection, patient monitoring rounds, and documentation responsibilities consistently across every assigned shift Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Patient advocacy integrity — raises clinical concerns on behalf of vulnerable patients, including ventilator-dependent individuals who cannot self-advocate, through appropriate institutional channels Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Error disclosure accountability — reports own clinical errors or near-miss events through incident reporting systems without minimization or deflection Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Culturally respectful care — adapts communication and care delivery to honor patient cultural, linguistic, and religious preferences during respiratory treatment Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Ethical culture modeling — demonstrates and articulates professional integrity standards to junior therapists through behavior and structured mentorship conversations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Institutional accountability leadership — leads departmental efforts to reduce documentation discrepancies and equipment lapses through transparent peer accountability structures Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
7Creativity8 statements
Emerging
  1. Adaptive positioning — identifies alternative patient positioning strategies to improve oxygenation when standard positioning is contraindicated by other clinical factors Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Equipment improvisation — applies approved substitute equipment or delivery mechanisms when preferred respiratory devices are unavailable in urgent situations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Patient-specific protocol adaptation — modifies standard aerosol therapy delivery techniques to accommodate pediatric, geriatric, or anatomically complex patients Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Teaching method innovation — develops patient-friendly analogies and visual demonstrations to explain lung physiology and breathing exercises to low-health-literacy patients Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Weaning strategy customization — designs individualized ventilator liberation plans for patients who have failed standard protocols, drawing on combined modalities and nontraditional pacing Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Simulation scenario development — creates realistic respiratory emergency scenarios for departmental training exercises using available equipment and clinical case data Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Clinical innovation leadership — pilots novel respiratory care interventions, such as high-flow nasal cannula applications in non-traditional settings, and evaluates outcomes for broader adoption Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Quality improvement design — engineers creative departmental workflows that reduce ventilator-associated events while maintaining clinician efficiency and patient safety Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
8Growth Mindset8 statements
Emerging
  1. Feedback receptivity — accepts corrective guidance from supervising respiratory therapists on blood gas interpretation and ventilator management without defensiveness Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Skill development effort — practices unfamiliar aerosol device setups and spirometry procedures repeatedly until procedural proficiency is achieved Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Continuing education engagement — pursues additional training in specialized areas such as neonatal ventilation or pulmonary rehabilitation beyond minimum required competencies Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Setback recovery — returns to clinical performance standards after a difficult patient outcome or procedural error by seeking debriefing and focused remediation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Evidence-based practice adoption — integrates newly published ventilator management or oxygen therapy guidelines into personal clinical practice without waiting for mandatory departmental updates Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Complexity seeking — voluntarily accepts assignment to the most clinically complex ventilated patients as a deliberate strategy for accelerating professional mastery Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Growth culture cultivation — creates a psychologically safe environment in the respiratory therapy department where junior staff view errors as learning events and seek continuous improvement Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Credential pursuit leadership — champions advanced certification pathways such as NPS or ACCS within the department and mentors colleagues through examination preparation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
9Mindfulness8 statements
Emerging
  1. Alarm attentiveness — maintains consistent focus on ventilator and monitor alarms during patient observation periods without distraction Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Pre-procedure centering — pauses to verify patient identity, prescription parameters, and equipment settings before initiating any respiratory therapy intervention Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Emotional regulation under pressure — maintains calm and methodical procedural execution during patient respiratory distress events without allowing urgency to produce error Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Workload awareness — monitors personal fatigue and cognitive load during high-census shifts and adjusts task sequencing to maintain patient safety standards Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Intentional patient presence — dedicates undivided attention to each patient interaction, detecting subtle changes in breathing effort, color, and distress level that inform therapy adjustments Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Stress-state management — applies self-regulation techniques between high-acuity patient contacts to sustain clinical accuracy and interpersonal effectiveness across full shifts Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Team mindfulness modeling — coaches colleagues on attention management practices that reduce clinical errors during high-volume and high-acuity periods in critical care settings Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Systemic safety awareness — maintains broad situational awareness of unit-wide patient acuity, equipment status, and staffing levels to anticipate and prevent respiratory emergencies before they escalate Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
10Fortitude9 statements
Emerging
  1. Code exposure resilience — maintains functional performance during first exposures to cardiopulmonary resuscitation events by focusing on assigned procedural tasks Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Ambiguity tolerance — continues systematic patient assessment when clinical data is incomplete or conflicting, rather than deferring all action until full clarity is achieved Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Sustained high-acuity endurance — maintains clinical accuracy and professionalism across extended shifts managing multiple ventilator-dependent patients simultaneously Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Difficult family interaction perseverance — continues compassionate and clear communication with distressed family members of critically ill ventilated patients despite emotional difficulty Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Prolonged emergency engagement — sustains effective respiratory care leadership across extended resuscitation events, including multi-hour mechanical ventilation management in unstable patients Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Moral distress navigation — maintains professional function and ethical practice when clinical decisions conflict with personal values or when patient outcomes are poor despite optimal care Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Resource-constrained performance — delivers safe respiratory therapy when equipment, staffing, or supply resources are limited by prioritizing interventions and improvising within approved scope Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Organizational resilience leadership — guides the respiratory therapy department through institutional crises such as mass casualty events or pandemic surge by maintaining team morale and operational standards Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Chronic adversity mentorship — supports junior therapists experiencing burnout or compassion fatigue by modeling sustainable clinical resilience practices and providing structured professional support Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
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Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Respiratory Therapist · Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Respiratory Therapist · Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) · Hospital Respiratory Therapist · Inhalation Therapist · NICU Respiratory Therapist (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Respiratory Therapist) · Oxygen Therapist · Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) · Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) · Respiratory Therapist (RT) · Staff Respiratory Therapist · Staff Therapist
RAPIDS apprenticeships
0280 · Respiratory Therapist
O*NET skills
Active ListeningCritical ThinkingMonitoringSpeakingActive LearningSocial PerceptivenessService OrientationReading ComprehensionJudgment and Decision MakingCoordinationComplex Problem SolvingInstructingWritingLearning StrategiesTime ManagementOperations MonitoringQuality Control AnalysisScience
Knowledge domains
Customer and Personal ServiceMedicine and DentistryEnglish LanguageEducation and TrainingPsychologyBiologyComputers and ElectronicsChemistryMathematics
Abilities
Inductive ReasoningProblem SensitivityOral ExpressionDeductive ReasoningInformation OrderingOral ComprehensionWritten ComprehensionNear VisionWritten ExpressionSpeech Clarity
Work styles
Attention to DetailDependabilityStress ToleranceCooperationSelf-ControlEmpathy
Technology
Calendar and scheduling softwareData base user interface and query softwareMedical softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareElectronic mail softwarePresentation softwareWord processing software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Provide emergency care, such as artificial respiration, external cardiac massage, or assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
  2. 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.
  3. Set up and operate devices, such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, or aerosol generators, following specified parameters of treatment.
  4. 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.
  5. Maintain charts that contain patients' pertinent identification and therapy information.
  6. Read prescription, measure arterial blood gases, and review patient information to assess patient condition.
  7. Relay blood analysis results to a physician.
  8. Inspect, clean, test, and maintain respiratory therapy equipment to ensure equipment is functioning safely and efficiently, ordering repairs when necessary.
CIP education codes
51.0908

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.