About the Respiratory Therapist II role
A career as a Respiratory Therapist II represents a significant step forward in the pulmonary care profession, offering experienced clinicians the opportunity to take on greater responsibility, mentorship roles, and advanced clinical challenges. These jobs are typically found in acute care hospitals and health systems where practitioners move beyond entry-level duties to manage complex cardiopulmonary cases across the full spectrum of patient populations. Respiratory Therapist II jobs involve assessing, evaluating, and administering life-supporting respiratory care to patients of all ages, from premature neonates in intensive care to elderly individuals with chronic lung disease.
In this role, professionals are responsible for executing physician orders and therapist-driven protocols while demonstrating mastery of a wide range of therapeutic modalities. Daily responsibilities include administering inhaled medications through various delivery systems, performing arterial blood gas punctures and analysis, initiating and managing mechanical ventilation, and responding to airway emergencies, rapid response calls, and cardiac arrests. Respiratory Therapists II also participate in daily interdisciplinary rounds, collaborate with physicians and nurses to develop patient care plans, and provide education to patients and their families on disease management. A hallmark of this level is the expectation to serve as a preceptor and mentor, training new staff and students under the guidance of a department educator. Additional duties encompass maintaining electronic health records, operating and troubleshooting respiratory equipment, assisting with bedside bronchoscopy procedures, and ensuring compliance with safety and infection control standards.
Typical skills required for these jobs include advanced knowledge of oxygen delivery methods, ventilator management, and age-specific care considerations for neonate, pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric populations. Strong critical thinking, communication, and documentation abilities are essential, as is the capacity to work effectively in high-pressure environments such as emergency departments and intensive care units. Most employers require an associate degree from an accredited respiratory care program, though additional experience may substitute for education in some cases. A minimum of one to three years of direct patient care experience is common, along with active state licensure and the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care. Certifications in Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) are typically required, with Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification often preferred. Respiratory Therapist II jobs offer a rewarding path for dedicated professionals seeking to deepen their clinical expertise, lead by example, and make a tangible difference in patient outcomes across diverse healthcare settings.