Introduction
Why does knowing what does a respiratory therapist do matter for interviews
If you're preparing for a job interview, college interview, or a sales call related to respiratory care, being able to answer "what does a respiratory therapist do" precisely and confidently separates good candidates from great ones. Respiratory therapy is a growing field — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes continued demand for respiratory therapists as healthcare needs expand — and interviewers expect more than a generic reply like "I help people breathe" [BLS]. Demonstrating knowledge of specific duties such as ventilator management, arterial blood gas analysis, and patient education signals clinical competence, teamwork ability, and a patient-first mindset [Cleveland Clinic][Mayo Clinic].
Core Duties
What are the core duties that answer what does a respiratory therapist do
Below are the core categories that summarize what does a respiratory therapist do. Bolded items are high-impact duties you should memorize and reference in interviews to show critical thinking or teamwork.
Patient assessment and diagnostics: Interview or examine patients with breathing disorders, measure lung capacity, analyze arterial blood gases (ABGs), and test cardiopulmonary function. These tasks show your clinical reasoning when an interviewer asks about diagnostic decisions [Cleveland Clinic][BetterTeam].
Treatment administration: Set up and manage mechanical ventilators, deliver aerosolized medications and therapeutic gases, perform chest physiotherapy, and provide emergency respiratory care such as CPR and manual ventilation. Use examples that show judgment under pressure [Mayo Clinic][BetterTeam].
Monitoring and collaboration: Track vital signs and patient responses to therapy, consult physicians on treatment plans, communicate changes, and assist in procedures like intubation or bronchoscopy. This emphasizes teamwork and reporting accuracy [Cleveland Clinic].
Equipment management: Inspect, clean, maintain, and troubleshoot respiratory devices; respond to equipment failures and emergency calls. Mentioning proactive maintenance practices demonstrates reliability [BetterTeam].
Patient education and support: Explain therapies, coach patients on inhaler or oxygen use, and provide discharge instructions to reduce readmissions. This highlights communication and teaching skills [Mayo Clinic].
Documentation and teamwork: Maintain accurate charts, update care plans, and coordinate with nurses, physicians, and allied health staff — showing both attention to detail and collaborative practice [Cleveland Clinic][BetterTeam].
When asked "what does a respiratory therapist do" in interviews, tying one or two of these duties to a concrete outcome — fewer ventilator days, improved ABG results, or better patient adherence — makes answers credible and memorable.
Key Skills and Qualities
What key skills and qualities relate to what does a respiratory therapist do
Hiring managers look for a mix of technical knowledge and bedside manner. Below is a compact comparison you can memorize and adapt to interview prompts.
| Skill/Quality | Description | Interview Tie-In |
|---|---:|---|
| Problem-solving | Evaluate symptoms, choose ventilator strategies, respond to alarms | "Describe resolving a ventilator alarm in an ICU shift" |
| Communication | Explain complex procedures to patients and use precise handoffs with staff | "Teach a fearful patient how to use oxygen at home" |
| Compassion/Patience | Deliver long treatments and calm anxious families | "Share how you comforted a COPD patient during exacerbation" |
| Technical knowledge | Respiratory anatomy, ABG interpretation, ventilator modes | "Discuss weaning protocols you’ve followed" |
| Teamwork & emotional stability | Coordinate under pressure and support colleagues during codes | "Example of collaborating with an MD during emergency intubation" |
Use the STAR format (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure answers about these skills: when asked what does a respiratory therapist do, lead with the situation, focus on your action with equipment or communication, and finish with measurable results (reduced hospital stay, fewer readmissions) [BetterTeam][Mayo Clinic].
A Day in the Life
What does a respiratory therapist do in a day and how can that help interview answers
A typical shift varies by setting (ICU, ED, neonatal, outpatient pulmonary rehab), but emphasizing variety helps interviewers see your adaptability.
Morning rounds: review ventilator settings, check ABG results, update care plans with the team. Mention a specific ventilator change you recommended and why.
Procedures block: assist with intubations, set up aerosol treatments, and perform chest physiotherapy for multiple patients. Highlight your role in a successful extubation.
Education/outpatient hours: teach inhaler technique, fit home oxygen, and run pulmonary rehab sessions. Show how education reduced follow-up visits.
Equipment checks: inspect suction units, tubing, and ventilator alarms; document maintenance and make emergency repairs as needed. Emphasize proactive safety checks.
Example snippets you can use in interviews:
When answering "what does a respiratory therapist do" in an interview, narrate a short, vivid day-in-the-life story that aligns with the role you want.
Common Interview Challenges
How can knowing what does a respiratory therapist do help you overcome common interview challenges
Anticipate these common pitfalls and use RT-specific content to counter them:
Lack of specifics: Vague answers like "I help with breathing" don’t convince. Instead, say, "I manage ventilator settings for ARDS patients and interpret ABGs to guide weaning," which shows both scope and depth [Cleveland Clinic].
High-pressure recounts missing detail: When asked about emergencies, include your actions (CPR, manual ventilation, communication with the code team) and the measurable result (patient stabilized, transfer to ICU). Avoid skipping technical details.
Failing to connect fit: For college or sales interviews, explicitly connect your strengths to RT duties — e.g., your desire to learn physiology to improve ventilator management or how a device reduces downtime in equipment management.
Jargon overload: If the interviewer is non-clinical (admissions officer or sales prospect), translate terms: "arterial blood gas" becomes "a blood test that tells us how well lungs exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide," then give an example.
Underselling soft skills: Balance high-stress clinical stories with compassion examples (calming a patient, teaching a caregiver), demonstrating the breadth of what does a respiratory therapist do beyond machines [Mayo Clinic][BetterTeam].
Actionable Advice
How should you prepare answers about what does a respiratory therapist do like a pro
Make this your interview playbook — follow these numbered steps and keep reusable lines ready.
Master 5–7 key duties. Memorize the bolded duties earlier and pair each with a 1-sentence example: "Ventilator management — adjusted PEEP for an ARDS patient, which improved oxygenation within 12 hours." Create flashcards and rehearse them daily [BetterTeam][Cleveland Clinic].
Develop 3 STAR stories. Aim for one acute (code/ventilator change), one teaching (patient education leading to fewer readmissions), and one teamwork (collaboration during a multi-disciplinary procedure). Keep each story within 45–60 seconds.
Tailor examples to the scenario:
Job interview: emphasize technical outcomes and certifications (RCP license, ACLS/NRP if relevant) [BetterTeam].
College admissions: stress curiosity about physiology, clinical exposure, and long-term goals in respiratory care [Mayo Clinic].
Sales calls: cite workflows (ventilator downtime, maintenance calls) and how the product integrates into RT routines [BetterTeam].
Practice aloud and record. Do 2-minute pitches that start with, "When people ask what does a respiratory therapist do, I explain..." This helps you be succinct and audience-aware.
Research the employer. Know unit types, patient mix, and typical equipment brands — tie your experience to what they use. Mentioning familiar ventilator models or protocols shows readiness.
Prepare a weakness story that turns into a growth example: "I once hesitated troubleshooting an unfamiliar ventilator; now I complete daily checklists and simulation drills."
Use visuals for confidence. Make a one-page "RT Daily Workflow" diagram for interviews where visual aids are acceptable (career fairs, graduate interviews).
Sample Script Examples
When asked "what does a respiratory therapist do," try these short scripts and adapt them:
Job interview (clinical): "A respiratory therapist assesses lung function, manages ventilators, and interprets ABGs to guide therapy. For example, I adjusted ventilator settings for an ARDS patient, coordinated with the ICU team, and helped achieve successful weaning within three days."
College interview: "Respiratory therapists diagnose and treat breathing disorders while educating families. I'm drawn to this because I love physiology and want to combine bedside care with technical skill, especially in neonatal work."
Sales pitch: "Respiratory therapists juggle ventilation management and emergency response. Our device reduces setup time and integrates with existing ventilator protocols, lowering maintenance calls and improving clinical workflow."
Conclusion
How can you stand out by speaking the language of what does a respiratory therapist do
Short answer: Be specific, structured, and outcome-driven. When you can answer "what does a respiratory therapist do" with clear duties, a STAR story, and an outcome, you show competence, fit, and a patient-centered approach. Practice, tailor, and quantify results where possible — interviewers remember numbers and concise clinical impact.
How can Verve AI Copilot help you with what does a respiratory therapist do
Verve AI Interview Copilot helps you practice RT-specific interview scenarios by generating tailored STAR prompts, feedback on clinical phrasing, and mock interviews. Verve AI Interview Copilot provides instant coaching on how you explain ventilator management and ABG interpretation in two-minute answers. Try Verve AI Interview Copilot at https://vervecopilot.com to rehearse job, college, or sales interviews with context-aware suggestions and scoring.
Citations
Key facts and duties cited here are summarized from industry and clinical overviews: the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on respiratory therapist demand [BLS], clinical role descriptions and duties from the Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic, and practical job descriptions from BetterTeam Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic, BLS, BetterTeam.
What Are the Most Common Questions About what does a respiratory therapist do
Q: What does a respiratory therapist do day to day
A: Assess breathing, manage ventilators, give meds, educate patients
Q: How do RTs handle emergencies
A: They perform CPR, manage airway/ventilators, coordinate code teams
Q: Is technical knowledge required for RT roles
A: Yes; ABGs, ventilator modes, and pulmonary function tests are core
Q: Can RTs work outside hospitals
A: Yes; clinics, home care, pulmonary rehab, and equipment service
Q: How should I answer what does a respiratory therapist do
A: Use 1-2 duties plus a STAR story showing outcome
Q: What certifications matter for RT interviews
A: RCP credential, and certifications like ACLS/NRP are beneficial
Final tips
When preparing for any interview, keep a one-page cheat sheet with the 5–7 duties above, two STAR stories, and one concise elevator pitch that answers "what does a respiratory therapist do" in 15–20 seconds. That preparation demonstrates clinical depth, communication skill, and readiness to contribute from day one.
