Respiratory Therapist Asst

J  o  b    D  e  s  c  r  i  p  t  i  o  n

JOB INFORMATION

Effective Date:

8/13/2026

Entity:

Wisconsin

Job Code:

520003

Job Title:

Respiratory Therapist Asst

FLSA Exemption Status:

Non-Exempt

Management Level:

Individual Contributor

JOB SUMMARY

The UW Health Respiratory Therapist Assistant is responsible for performing multiple duties that require an expertise in the assembly, transport, disinfection, calibration and troubleshooting of respiratory related equipment.  The Respiratory Therapy Assistant works under the direction of a Respiratory Therapist.  The Respiratory Therapy Assistant is responsible for maintaining an appropriate level of equipment in the various respiratory work areas and assisting the Respiratory Therapists and physicians with various procedures and tasks, as directed.   Respiratory Therapy Assistants that have demonstrated proficiency in respiratory equipment handling may be trained to assemble, troubleshoot and assist with bedside bronchoscopy services.  The position may assist in training new Respiratory Therapy Assistants or Student Respiratory Therapists on routine therapy assistant functions. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

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Set-up, maintain and clean various types of respiratory care equipment in order to provide safe patient care

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Maintain supply of transport oxygen within the CSC and AFCH.

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Maintain the supply of oxygen cylinders on all inpatient units, emergency department, and clinic areas.

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Perform routine assembly, maintenance and cleaning of various types of Respiratory Care Equipment.

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Disinfect equipment prior to calibration and assembly.

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Transport dirty equipment to RT reprocessing area using appropriate infection control techniques.

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Appropriately handles and uses cleaning and disinfecting solutions and equipment.

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Demonstrates appropriate use of personal protective equipment

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Reports equipment malfunctions to the Respiratory Equipment Coordinator

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Recognize own needs for personal development and continuing professional growth.

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Recognizes the need for continued growth by attending staff development programs and workshops.

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Attends and participates in staff meetings.

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Completes required annual inservice and training programs including safety and infection control and CPR

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Transport equipment between in-patient units and procedure areas as directed by a Respiratory Therapist.

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Perform routine cleaning and maintenance of RT equipment bins and cupboards.

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Maintain appropriate levels of equipment in the various respiratory care work areas on a daily basis.

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Obtain needed equipment for Respiratory Care Practitioner when requested.

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On a monthly basis check all oxygen cylinders on in-patient units and outpatient clinics crash carts and replace them when needed.

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Inspect equipment for correct assembly, assure all parts are in proper working order, and perform preventative maintenance according to established protocols.

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Check equipment to ensure appropriate function.

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Calibrate equipment to department or manufactures specifications.

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Perform electrical safety inspection according to department and hospital policies and procedures.

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Document all inspections, safety checks, repairs, calibrations problems, etc. in the appropriate database

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Perform routine calibration of equipment used in the patient care areas to include but not limited to portable Spirometers, and arterial blood gas analyzers.

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Completes required annual inservice and training programs eg. Safety and infection control, CPR

As needed, additional responsibilities reasonably within the scope of duties and physical requirements may be assigned.  ALL DUTIES AND REQUIREMENTS MUST BE PERFORMED CONSISTENT WITH THE UW HEALTH PERFORMANCE STANDARDS AND RESPECT FOR PEOPLE COMMITTMENTS.

X

Non-Clinical

JOB REQUIREMENTS

No minimum education

Required

Previous experience with assembly and cleaning of respiratory care equipment preferred

Preferred

Formal training or experience in medical specailty MA, CNA or MA

Preferred

CPR Certified

Required

LICENSE, CERTIFICATIONS, AND REGISTRATIONS MUST BE MAINTAINED PER UW HEALTH POLICY. 

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Knowledge of, or ability to learn, set-up, maintenance and cleaning of various types of respiratory care equipment.

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Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

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Ability to work in a team environment and to collaborate with a variety of professionals

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Ability to comprehend and execute essential job functions, apply basic problem-solving skills, and maintain the level of accuracy and accountability necessary to support operational and organizational objectives.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS

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Sedentary: Sedentary work involves lifting no more than 10 pounds at a time and occasionally lifting or carrying articles like docket files, ledgers, and small tools. Although a sedentary job is defined as one which involves sitting, a certain amount of walking and standing is often necessary in carrying out job duties. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required occasionally and other sedentary criteria are met.

Up to 10#

Negligible

Negligible

☐

Light: Light work involves lifting no more than 20 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 pounds. Even though the weight lifted may be very little, a job is in this category when it requires a good deal of walking or standing, or when it involves sitting most of the time with some pushing and pulling of arm or leg controls. To be considered capable of performing a full or wide range of light work, you must have the ability to do substantially all of these activities. If someone can do light work, we determine that they can also do sedentary work, unless there are additional limiting factors such as loss of fine dexterity or inability to sit for long periods of time.

up to 20#

Up to 10# or requires significant walking or standing or requires pushing/pulling of arm/leg controls.

Negligible or constant push/pull of items of negligible weight

☒

Medium: Medium work involves lifting no more than 50 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 pounds. If someone can do medium work, we determine that they can also do sedentary and light work.

20-50#

10-25#

Negligible-10#

☐

Heavy: Heavy work involves lifting no more than 100 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 50 pounds. If someone can do heavy work, we determine that they can also do medium, light, and sedentary work.

50-100#

25-50#

10-20#

☐

Very Heavy: Very heavy work involves lifting objects weighing more than 100 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing 50 pounds or more. If someone can do very heavy work, we determine that they can also do heavy, medium, light, and sedentary work.

Over 100#

Over 50#

Over 20#

Other - list any other physical requirements or bona fide occupational qualifications not indicated above:

Over 50 lbs.

UW Health does not require, nor does it expect that its employees lift more than 50 lbs unassisted. Objects in excess of 50 lbs should be lifted or moved with mechanical means or through a team lift. Employees in patient care areas are expected to utilize mechanical lifts and adhere to the "Use of Mechanical Lifts (Liko)" policy in the Patient Services Policy and Procedure Manual.

Note: The purpose of this document is to describe the general nature and level of work performed by personnel so classified; it is not intended to serve as an inclusive list of all responsibilities associated with this position.

THE EMPLOYEE MUST BE ABLE TO COMPLETE ALL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB WITH OR WITHOUT AN APPROVED ACCOMODATION. Note: The purpose of this document is to describe the general nature and level of work performed by personnel so classified; it is not intended to serve as an inclusive list of all responsibilities associated with this position.