O*NET-SOC 29-1126.00

Respiratory Therapists

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.

Preparation

ItemValue
Preparation zoneZone 3 – Medium preparation needed
What O*NET says the zone requiresPrevious work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required
Broad occupation in O*NETTrue (Yes)
Skills listed for this occupation6
Abilities listed for this occupation6
Tasks listed for this occupation5
Interest scores given for this occupation6

Skills

The 6 skills with the highest importance values in this occupation's records.

SkillO*NET elementImportanceDate
Active Listening2.A.1.b3.8807/2013
Critical Thinking2.A.2.a3.8807/2013
Monitoring2.A.2.d3.8807/2013
Speaking2.A.1.d3.7507/2013
Active Learning2.A.2.b3.6207/2013
Reading Comprehension2.A.1.a3.6207/2013

The importance value is what each record itself carries on O*NET's importance scale; the date is the date in each record.

Abilities

The 6 abilities with the highest importance values in this occupation's records.

AbilityO*NET elementImportanceDate
Inductive Reasoning1.A.1.b.54.007/2013
Oral Expression1.A.1.a.34.007/2013
Problem Sensitivity1.A.1.b.34.007/2013
Deductive Reasoning1.A.1.b.43.8807/2013
Information Ordering1.A.1.b.63.8807/2013
Oral Comprehension1.A.1.a.13.8807/2013

The importance value is what each record itself carries on O*NET's importance scale; the date is the date in each record.

Tasks

The tasks O*NET records for this occupation, with the type, respondent count and date each record carries.

TaskTypeIncumbents respondingDate
Provide emergency care, such as artificial respiration, external cardiac massage, or assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.Core11207/2013
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.Core11307/2013
Set up and operate devices, such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, or aerosol generators, following specified parameters of treatment.Core11207/2013
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.Core11307/2013
Maintain charts that contain patients' pertinent identification and therapy information.Core11207/2013

Work interests

The interest scores O*NET gives this occupation, on the six interest types.

InterestScoreDate
Social5.0511/2023
Realistic4.9211/2023
Investigative4.8111/2023
Conventional3.8411/2023
Enterprising1.7211/2023
Artistic1.011/2023

More occupations in preparation zone 3

Source: O*NET 29.1 Database (Occupation Data, Job Zones, Skills, Abilities, Task Statements, Interests), U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Data fetched 2026-10-31. See about and sources.