Navy NEC · Medical
L32A Respiratory Therapist
A Navy Enlisted Classification: a skill designation sailors hold in addition to their rating.
Overview
Respiratory Therapists assist medical officers with respiratory care for patients ranging from premature infants to older adults, including pulmonary function testing, medical gas therapy, blood gas sampling, and nebulized medications. They assess respiratory issues, develop care plans, provide life support services, and help manage invasive and noninvasive mechanical ventilation in military treatment facilities and expeditionary medicine platforms.
Minimum clearance: Secret
Core Skills
- respiratory patient assessment
- mechanical ventilation management
- pulmonary function testing
- arterial blood gas sampling
- medical gas therapy
- nebulized medication delivery
- airway management
- critical care respiratory support
- respiratory care planning
Civilian Software & Tools
- eClinicalWorks EHR software
- MEDITECH software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- Database software
Civilian Career Paths
- Emergency Medicine
- Clinical Technician
- Rehabilitation
Training & Development
Getting Started
- Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT)
- Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider Certification
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
Career Growth
- Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)
- Adult Critical Care Specialist (RRT-ACCS)
- Neonatal/Pediatric Specialist (NPS)
- Sleep Disorders Specialty (SDS)
Also Common
- National Board for Respiratory Care Adult Critical Care Specialty (ACCS)
- National Board for Respiratory Care Neonatal Pediatric Specialty (NPS)
- National Board for Respiratory Care Sleep Disorders Specialty (SDS)
- BLS Provider Certification
What the Work Involves
- Provide emergency care, such as artificial respiration, external cardiac massage, or assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
- Monitor patient's physiological responses to therapy, such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, or blood chemistry changes, and consult with physician if adverse reactions occur.
- Set up and operate devices, such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, or aerosol generators, following specified parameters of treatment.
- Maintain charts that contain patients' pertinent identification and therapy information.
- Work as part of a team of physicians, nurses, or other healthcare professionals to manage patient care by assisting with medical procedures or related duties.
Related Occupations
- Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
- Paramedics
- Acute Care Nurses
- Radiation Therapists
Typical preparation for these civilian roles: vocational training or an associate degree.
Equivalent Roles in Other Branches
Descriptions may be summarized for clarity. Verify all information with your branch career counselor or official military documentation before making career decisions.
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