Respiratory Therapists in Sleep Medicine in US and Canada

A respiratory therapist is a specialized healthcare practitioner trained in critical care and cardio-pulmonary medicine in order to work therapeutically with people who have acute critical conditions, cardiac and pulmonary disease.

RTs provide healthcare to people of all stages of life, from newborns who are having difficulty breathing to respiratory support to those critically ill or severely injured.  RTs provide support to those with chronic heart and lung diseases, for those who may require long-term respiratory care for disease or disability, and for those dealing with Obstructive Sleep Apnea and sleep issues.

Respiratory therapists working in sleep medicine are clinicians trained in cardiopulmonary care who specialize in sleep-disordered breathing. Many start as hospital-based RTs and transition into sleep labs, sleep centers, or DME environments where breathing, airflow, oxygenation, and ventilation are central.

Most hold credentials such as RRT (Registered Respiratory Therapist) and may also earn sleep-specific certifications like RPSGT or RST, often maintaining credentials through the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists.

Starting in 1943, Dr. Edwin R. Levine established a primitive inhalation therapy program with on-the-job training of technicians for post-operation care in Chicago. Just three years later, Dr. Levine’s students and associates created the Inhalation Therapy Association (ITA) and in 1950 that the profession was born as it was recognized by a report published by New York Academy of Medicine. In 1973, the professional organization became known as the American Association for Respiratory Therapy (AART), which is now known as the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC).

What is the mission of the AARC? “The American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) is the leading national and international professional association for respiratory care. The AARC encourages and promotes professional excellence, advances the science and practice of respiratory care, and serves as an advocate for patients and their families, the public, the profession and the respiratory therapist.” – AARC.org

In 1982, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first National Respiratory Care Week, which takes place annually on the third week each October.  In 2003, the AARC launched Lung Health Day to promote better lung health to consumers, which now occurs every Wednesday during National Respiratory Care Week.