View Position Qualification

12-509-1080

Name

Respiratory Therapist

Status

Published

Version

1.4

Updated

1/4/2019 4:43:23 PM

Original Release

03/04/2008

Last Major Release

01/04/2019

NQS Position

Resource Category

Medical and Public Health

Primary Core Capability

Public Health, Healthcare, and Emergency Medical Services

Secondary Core Capability

Public and Private Services and Resources

Resource Kind

Personnel

Overall Function

The Respiratory Therapist provides respiratory care to patients

Single resource

In conjunction with a NIMS typed team

NIMS Typed Team

In conjunction with a NIMS typed unit

NIMS Typed Unit

Description Notes

Not Specified

Supporting Core Capabilities
None

Types
Type 1	The Respiratory Therapist is an allied health professional that: 1. Provides a wide range of therapeutic and diagnostic services to patients with heart and lung disorders 2. Works under the direction of a licensed physician 3. Initiates and performs complex respiratory care treatments to patients for breathing analysis and capability 4. Administers oxygen 5. Administers medications and treatments that help patients breathe 6. Monitors patients and equipment 7. Connects patients to ventilators and assists with patient ventilator settings 8. Examines patients and perform tests to determine changes in patient's respiratory status 9. Measures lung functions and assists in monitoring cardiopulmonary systems

Type 1

The Respiratory Therapist is an allied health professional that: 1. Provides a wide range of therapeutic and diagnostic services to patients with heart and lung disorders 2. Works under the direction of a licensed physician 3. Initiates and performs complex respiratory care treatments to patients for breathing analysis and capability 4. Administers oxygen 5. Administers medications and treatments that help patients breathe 6. Monitors patients and equipment 7. Connects patients to ventilators and assists with patient ventilator settings 8. Examines patients and perform tests to determine changes in patient's respiratory status 9. Measures lung functions and assists in monitoring cardiopulmonary systems

Education

Not Specified

Component Types
Type	Criteria
Type 1	Graduate of an accredited respiratory therapist program

Training

Not Specified

Type 1

Completion of the following: 1. IS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System, ICS-100 2. IS-200: Incident Command System for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents 3. IS-700: National Incident Management System, An Introduction 4. IS-800: National Response Framework, An Introduction 5. Training in accordance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1910.120: Hazardous Materials Awareness 6. Training in accordance with OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910.134: Respiratory Protection 7. Training in accordance with OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910.1030: Bloodborne Pathogens

Experience

Not Specified

Component Types
Type	Criteria
Type 1	Two years of experience in a practice setting such as a hospital, health system, agency, or service commensurate with the mission assignment

Physical/Medical Fitness

PPE is mission-specific and may vary by working environment, including protective footwear, protective clothing for skin exposures, eye and hearing protection, respirators, gloves, and masks.

Type 1

1. Performs duties under moderate circumstances characterized by working consecutive 12-hour days under physical and emotional stress for sustained periods of time 2. Is able to work while wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) 3. Maintains immunizations in accordance with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s immunization recommendations for emergency responders

Currency

Provider must carry out and use any background checks as applicable law specifies. This may include a background check completed within past 12 months; sex-offender registry check; and a local, state, and a local, state, and national criminal history.

Component Types
Type	Criteria
Type 1	1. Functions in this position in a disaster incident response, operations based exercise, drill, or simulation at least once every three years 2. Immunizations up-to-date and commensurate with mission assignment 3. Background checks as applicable law permits or requires

Professional and Technical Licenses and Certifications

Not Specified

Component Types
Type	Criteria
Type 1	1. State, the District of Columbia, or US territory-granted active status of legal authority to function as a Respiratory Therapist without restrictions 2. Certification as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) or Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT)

Composition and Ordering Specifications
Specification
Discuss logistics for deploying this position, such as security, lodging, transportation, and meals, prior to deployment
This position typically works 12 hours per shift, is self-sustainable for 72 hours, and is deployable for up to 14 days

883

Notes

References
Reference
FEMA, NIMS 508: Emergency Care Task Force
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Immunization Recommendations for Disaster Responders
National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG), National Incident Management System Wildland Fire Qualification System Guide, PMS 310-1, Physical Fitness Levels, October 2016
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 29 Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) Part 1910.120: Hazardous Materials Awareness, latest edition adopted
OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910.134:Respiratory Protection, latest edition adopted
OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910.1030: Bloodborne Pathogens, latest edition adopted

Version	Publish Date	Document Type
Published Versions
1.4	1/4/2019 4:43:23 PM	PDF
1.3	9/28/2018 5:14:49 PM	PDF
1.2	11/7/2017 5:46:17 PM	PDF
1.1	4/8/2014 7:07:12 PM	Unavailable
1.0	1/22/2014 4:12:59 PM	Unavailable