Education and Experience

• Certification by the National Board of Respiratory Care as a Respiratory Technician is required. Licensure as a Respiratory Care practitioner by the Maryland Board of Physician Quality Assurance is required. CPR certification is required.
• Six months to one year performing didactic and clinical respiratory care procedures is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• General knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system, biology, microbiology, technical mathematics, and pharmacology are required. Knowledge of medical terminology, and moderate level of proficiency in operation of equipment, such as, various types of ventilators, nebulizers, aerosol masks, nasal cannulas, mist tents, oxyhoods and other oxygen delivery devices.
• Ability to draw and evaluate arterial blood gases.
• Ability to determine quality of patient performance, judge degree of patient discomfort or failing medical status, and the inability of patient to perform during treatment process.
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the patient population(s) served. Ability to demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and ability to assess data reflective of the patient's requirements relative to his or her population-specific and age specific needs.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills are necessary in communicating with patients, doctors, other respiratory staff and nursing staff throughout the medical system, and in maintaining accurate and complete documentation of testing procedures.