A Respiratory Therapist (RT) is a specialized healthcare professional who assesses, treats, and manages patients with breathing or cardiopulmonary disorders. They work alongside physicians to develop treatment plans and manage life-support equipment for patients in critical conditions. assist patients who have breathing difficulties. These include chronic respiratory diseases, such as emphysema and asthma. Patients include infants with undeveloped lungs to adult patients with lung disease. They may also give emergency aid for a breathing problem, heart attack, drowning, and shock.

They may also be called a respiratory therapy technician.