Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Respiratory Therapist PRN

🎯 Role Definition

A PRN (Pro Re Nata) Respiratory Therapist is a licensed and credentialed clinical professional who provides specialized respiratory care to patients on an as-needed, flexible basis. This role is absolutely vital for ensuring continuous, high-quality patient care during periods of high patient census, staff shortages, or leaves of absence. You are the expert reinforcement, stepping in to perform a full range of respiratory procedures, from life-support management in the ICU to therapeutic treatments on the medical-surgical floors. The PRN Therapist thrives on variety and challenge, demonstrating a high degree of autonomy, clinical confidence, and adaptability. You are a critical partner in the care team, relied upon for your expertise, flexibility, and commitment to excellent patient outcomes, even on short notice.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Staff Respiratory Therapist (Full-time or Part-time seeking supplemental work/flexibility)
Experienced Respiratory Therapist re-entering the workforce
Recent Graduate with strong clinical rotation experience (less common, as experience is preferred)

Advancement To:

Full-Time or Part-Time Staff Respiratory Therapist
Lead Respiratory Therapist or Shift Supervisor
Respiratory Therapy Department Manager
Clinical Educator or Instructor

Lateral Moves:

Pulmonary Function Technologist (PFT)
Sleep Lab / Polysomnographic Technologist
Clinical Application Specialist for a medical device company

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Administer a wide range of respiratory therapy modalities, including medicated aerosol therapy, chest physiotherapy, incentive spirometry, and suctioning, as prescribed by a physician.
Initiate, monitor, and manage invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation for adult, pediatric, and/or neonatal patients in critical care environments.
Perform comprehensive patient assessments to evaluate respiratory status, assess the effectiveness of treatments, and recommend modifications to the care plan.
Respond immediately and effectively to emergency situations, including Code Blue, Rapid Response Team calls, and traumatic airway events, providing critical airway and ventilation support.
Procure and analyze arterial blood gas (ABG) samples, interpret the results, and make appropriate, protocol-driven clinical adjustments to therapy or ventilation.
Meticulously document all patient assessments, therapies administered, ventilator checks, and patient responses within the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system.
Educate patients and their families about their respiratory condition, treatment plan, and the correct use of therapeutic devices like inhalers and home oxygen.
Collaborate effectively with an interdisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, and other allied health professionals to coordinate and optimize patient care.
Set up, operate, and troubleshoot a diverse array of complex respiratory equipment, including ventilators, BiPAP/CPAP devices, high-flow nasal cannula systems, and medical gas delivery systems.
Assist physicians during bronchoscopy procedures, including patient setup, sedation monitoring, and handling of specimens.
Perform and interpret bedside pulmonary mechanics (e.g., vital capacity, negative inspiratory force) to assess readiness for ventilator weaning.
Execute physician-ordered protocols for ventilator weaning, titrating support levels based on patient tolerance and clinical parameters.
Provide airway management, which includes assisting with intubations, performing extubations, and managing artificial airways like endotracheal and tracheostomy tubes.
Safely transport critically ill, mechanically ventilated patients to and from diagnostic imaging departments or for inter-unit transfers.
Perform electrocardiograms (EKGs) as needed and based on facility protocol.
Serve as a clinical resource and subject matter expert on respiratory care for nurses, physicians, and other hospital staff.
Adhere strictly to all departmental and hospital policies, including infection control, patient safety, and corporate compliance guidelines.
Maintain and clean respiratory care equipment according to manufacturer and hospital infection control standards.
Participate in patient care rounds, providing valuable input and updates on the patient's respiratory status.
Administer specialty medical gases, such as Heliox or Nitric Oxide, according to established protocols and physician orders.
Maintain professional competency by staying current with advancements in respiratory care through continuing education.

Secondary Functions

Assist with the management of departmental equipment inventory and stocking of respiratory supplies.
Participate in departmental quality assurance and performance improvement (QAPI) projects as needed.
Provide informal orientation and support to new staff members or students regarding department procedures.
Contribute to the review and updating of departmental policies and clinical protocols.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Mechanical Ventilation Management: Expertise in operating various ventilators (e.g., Dräger, Puritan Bennett, Hamilton) for both invasive and non-invasive support.
Airway Management: Proficiency in suctioning, managing tracheostomies, and providing skilled assistance during intubation.
Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) Puncture & Analysis: Skill in obtaining arterial samples and interpreting results to guide therapy.
Advanced Life Support: Current certification and ability to apply BLS, ACLS, PALS, and/or NRP protocols in real-time.
Patient Assessment: Strong ability to perform thorough respiratory assessments and identify subtle changes in patient condition.
Pulmonary Diagnostics: Experience performing bedside spirometry, EKGs, and assisting with bronchoscopies.
EHR Proficiency: Competence in navigating and documenting within electronic health record systems like Epic or Cerner.
Aerosol & Medical Gas Therapy: In-depth knowledge of various drug delivery devices and medical gas applications.
Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV): Skill in initiating and managing BiPAP and CPAP for patients with acute or chronic respiratory failure.
Troubleshooting Equipment: Ability to quickly diagnose and resolve common issues with respiratory care equipment.

Soft Skills

Critical Thinking: The ability to analyze complex clinical data and make swift, sound decisions under pressure.
Adaptability & Flexibility: Thriving in a dynamic environment, capable of shifting priorities and handling unexpected challenges seamlessly.
Communication: Clearly and concisely communicating patient information, treatment plans, and recommendations to the care team, patients, and families.
Teamwork & Collaboration: Working effectively and respectfully alongside nurses, doctors, and other colleagues to achieve shared patient goals.
Stress Resilience: Maintaining composure, focus, and professionalism during high-stress situations and medical emergencies.
Autonomy: Confidence to work independently, manage time effectively, and make appropriate clinical judgments with minimal supervision.
Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to patient care, documentation, and equipment management to ensure safety and accuracy.
Empathy & Compassion: Connecting with patients and families on a human level, providing comfort and reassurance during difficult times.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:
An Associate of Science (AS) or Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Respiratory Therapy from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).

Preferred Education:
A Bachelor of Science (BS) in Respiratory Therapy or a related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Respiratory Care
Cardiopulmonary Sciences

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1+ years of recent clinical experience in an acute care hospital setting.

Preferred:

2+ years of experience in a critical care environment (ICU, NICU, ER).
Credentials: Must hold the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential issued by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
Licensure: A current and unrestricted license to practice as a Respiratory Care Practitioner in the relevant state.
Certifications: Current Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are mandatory. Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) and/or Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certifications are often required, depending on the facility's patient population.