呼吸治疗师将科学知识和理论应用于呼吸道护理的实际临床问题。呼吸治疗师有资格对所有呼吸护理方式承担主要责任。呼吸治疗师可能需要在医生的监督下，进行大量独立的临床判断。呼吸保健医生可以执行以下呼吸保健方式：先进的气道管理，儿科和新生儿重症监护，血液动力学监测，代谢推车研究，心肺压力测试和其他先进程序。<br> <br>成功完成要求后对于心肺科学学位，学生有资格申请入学，以参加由美国国家呼吸道管理局进行的三项考试。要求考生通过认证的呼吸治疗师入门级考试，作为两项高级从业人员考试的前提。
The Respiratory Therapist applies scientific knowledge and theory to practical clinical problems of respiratory care. Respiratory Therapists are qualified to assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care modalities. The Respiratory Therapist may be required to exercise considerable independent clinical judgment, under the supervision of a physician in the treatment of patients with respiratory dysfunction. The Respiratory Care Practitioner may perform the following respiratory care modalities: advanced airway management, pediatric and neonatal critical care, hemodynamic monitoring, metabolic cart studies, cardiopulmonary stress testing, and other advanced procedures.