What exactly does a respiratory therapist do?

Respiratory Therapy: This is my favorite question so far. I was first a respiratory therapist before i became a physician. I learned much of my compassion for patients from the many hours i spent treating asthma, cystic fibrosis, monitoring patients on life support and loving their families. Respiratory therapists do treatments for those suffering from asthma and emphysema. They are a backbone to the ICU team.