Can an LPN function as an RT?

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Specializes in Health Clinic.

I was wondering if anyone knew the answer to this question? I am taking my health science pre-reqs at a community college, and I recently heard a student saying she heard the hospitals/home health agencies used to allow the LPNs to perform RT duties. I was wondering if anyone knew if hospitals still practice this, or if the statement is even true to begin with?

I am a college freshman with a 3.4 GPA. I have already taken Anatomy/Physiology I & II, English, Med. Terminology, and Psychology. However, I am having a really tough time deciding on whether to major in respiratory care or nursing. I think my problem is I find all aspects of the medical field very interesting! (I started out as a surgical tech major, but I job shadowed last semester a few times and decided it was not for me.)

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if you check out the ads for jobs on Lincare, they accept RTs and LPNs.... also check sleep tech, they do the same thing. I think its just which company....

Regi

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Specializes in psych. rehab nursing, float pool.

The last two hospitals that I have worked at employ only RT for any respiratory treatment. Most of those have their bachelors degrees. The nurses both Rn and Lpn can and do suction patients who have trachs.

I realize in nursing homes the nurses both Rn and Lpn do the nebulizer treatments.

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Specializes in Cardiac, Med-Surg, ICU.

It really depends on what your state respiratory care board defines as "RT duties". For example, I don't know that you as an LPN could draw blood gases. RNs with training can do it, but it depends on your facility policy. If I were you, I would check out what would be allowed within your scope of practice.

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Specializes in LTC, Memory loss, PDN.

As mentioned before, some respiratory DME companies hire LPNs, but the pay is not top notch.

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Specializes in Mother-Baby, Rehab, Hospice, Memory Care.

Since LPNs cannot practice fully in the scope of RT, I would think we would not be able to fully function as one. Most LPNs have and do perform some of the same duties such as administering breathing treatments and o2, check o2 sats, assessing lungs, suctioning and trach care, but like others said we cannot do things like blood gases or intubation.

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I dont think so...

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