Respiratory Care is a career for highly motivated individuals seeking to apply their technical, scientific, and human relation skills in the fast-paced environment of health care. Respiratory Care Practitioners (RCPs) are highly respected members of the health care team responsible for the prevention, treatment, management, and rehabilitation of people of all ages with lung and medical problems such as:

• emphysema
• chronic bronchitis
• cystic fibrosis
• croup
• heart attack
• paralysis
• pneumonia
• drug overdose
• asthma
• postoperative complication
• stroke
• respiratory distress and failure
  

Respiratory care practitioners' daily routine may involve:

• working with sophisticated equipment in the adult, pediatric, or newborn intensive care unit
• assisting patients in the recovery room or labor and delivery room
• administering drugs and breathing treatments
• performing pulmonary function testing,
• participating in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
• providing rehabilitation to patients in the hospital, subacute facility, or home
• and discussing patient care plans with physicians, nurses, and other members of the health care team. 

The RCP may choose to expand their expertise to the areas of management, research, medical sales, or education.