RESPIRATORY THERAPY TECHNICIAN
In New Jersey, Respiratory Therapy Technician is filled through the competitive process: candidates take a civil service exam and are hired off a ranked list, not picked at will.
Qualifying takes an associate's degree, 1 year of relevant experience, and a professional license. The FY 2027 range lands between $52,696 and $76,518, and state payroll currently lists 2 people in the title, most of them at Human Services.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
See every real route in, and where to apply. One agency employs it. We don't track live vacancies.
See where to apply for this title →Who employs this title
Respiratory Therapy Technician appears on the State payroll at one department, Department of Human Services.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Department of Human Services | 2 |
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 2 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $70,478. The agencies employing the most are:
- Human Services (2)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under the direction of a Physician, or the supervision of a Supervising Respiratory Therapist in a hospital or other institution under the jurisdiction of the Department of Human Services, performs respiratory therapy and gives treatments as prescribed by a Physician; does related work as required.
Examples of work
- Sets up, operates, and maintains mechanical ventilators and various types of oxygen and other therapeutic gas and mist inhalation equipment such as tents, masks, catheters, and cannulas to administer prescribed doses of medicinal gases and aerosolized drugs to hospitalized patients.
- Reads and notes prescriptions of Physicians and personally evaluates the respiratory status of patients to determine requirement for treatment, such as the type and duration of therapy and medication and dosages ordered.
- Draws arterial blood for the purpose of blood gas analysis by machine and interprets the results of such analysis.
- Obtains sputum specimens as needed for cytolic and bacterial examination.
- Gathers materials and equipment required for therapy and transports them to the patient's bedside; confers with the patient, explaining treatment and breathing procedures to allay fears and anxieties associated with procedures and equipment.
- Observes the patient during therapy to instruct in breath control; notifies medical or nursing personnel of any adverse reactions; reads equipment gauges to ensure that specified pressures are being maintained.
- Operates an Intermittent Positive Pressure Breathing Machine (IPPB) which delivers medicinal gases and drugs in aerosolized mist concentrations to the patient's respiratory system.
- Visits all respiratory therapy cases to see that the Physician's orders are being carried out effectively and that the apparatus is in good working condition; observes the patient's comfort and general condition, noting the rate of respiration, pulse, and color, and reports and records unusual findings.
- Carries out or supervises the carrying out of physical therapy and rehabilitation services, including postural drainage and percussion treatments, corrective breathing exercises, and oxygen supported ambulatory exercises.
- Maintain essential records, reports, and files.
- May be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Education
Graduation from an accredited training program approved by eiuther the Joint Review Committee for Respiratory Therapy Education or the Committee on Allied Health Education of the American Medical Association.
Experience
One (1) year of experience in providing respiratory care.
License
Appointee will be required to possess a current and valid Repiratory Care Practitioners license issued by the State Board of Respiratory Care Practitioners, NJ Department of Law and Public Safety, Division of Consumer Affairs.
Appointee will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
KNOWLEDGES AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of mechanical ventilation equipment and the various types of oxygen and other therapeutic gas and mist respiratory equipment including tents, masks, catheters, and cannulas.
Knowledge of the materials and equipment needed for bedside respiratory therapy.
Knowledge of modern respiratory therapy equipment, procedures, and techniques.
Knowledge of the adverse reactions likely to occur during respiratory therapy.
Knowledge of the operation of the Intermittent Positive Pressure Breathing Machine (IPPB).
Knowledge of blood gas analysis equipment, including interpretation of the analyses made by such equipment.
Knowledge of the facts and reactions to be recorded on patient's charts.
Knowledge of respiratory therapy safety rules and precautions including the posting of appropriate signs.
Knowledge of infection control procedures required for respiratory therapy.
Ability to enforce safety regulations.
Ability to prepare factual reports and maintain essential records, reports, and files.
Ability to participate in Individual Habilitation Planning meetings, as required, and to take that responsibility for continuation of the plan for individual patients undergoing respiratory care.
Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
CODES: H16- JMR 08/7/93