Chapter 2 Practice
Article 7
For the purpose of practicing, respiratory therapists shall apply to the local competent authority at the municipality/city/county level for practice registration and obtain a practice license before being able to practice.
Regulations governing the qualifications, criteria, and required documents for applying for practice registration, as set forth in the preceding paragraph, issuance, re-issuance, or renewal of a practice license, and other compliance-related matters shall be established by the central competent authority.
Article 8
For the purpose of practicing, respiratory therapists shall receive continuing education and provide proof of completion of continuing education every six years to renew their practice licenses.
Regulations governing the contents of continuing education courses taken by respiratory therapists as set forth in the preceding paragraph, credits, implementation methods, proof of completion of continuing education, renewal of a practice license, and other compliance-related matters shall be established by the central competent authority.
Article 9
In any of the following circumstances, the practice license shall not be issued; any license already issued shall be revoked or annulled:
1. A respiratory therapist certificate has been revoked or annulled.
2. A respiratory therapist practice license was annulled within one year.
3. The respiratory therapists has been determined by a team of specialist physicians, respiratory therapists and scholars/experts invited by the municipal or county (city) competent authority to be unable to practice due to objective facts.
After the cause listed in subparagraph 3 of the preceding paragraph is eliminated, the respiratory therapists may still apply for practice license in accordance with this Act.
Article 10
Respiratory therapists shall limit their practice locations to one, and shall practice at a medical institution approved by and registered with the local competent authority or any other institution that has been approved and required by the competent authority to employ respiratory therapists. However, this rule does not apply in the cases of inter-institutional support or practice with prior permission.
Article 11
In case of termination or suspension of practice, respiratory therapists shall, within thirty days of occurrence of the fact, report such termination or suspension of practice to the authority that issued their practice licenses for recordation purposes.
In the event that respiratory therapists change their practice locations or resume practice, the regulations governing the practice thereof shall apply on a mutatis mutandis basis.
If respiratory therapists are deceased, the authority that issued their practice licenses shall cancel their practice licenses.
Article 12
Respiratory therapists shall join a local respiratory therapist association for the purpose of practicing.
Respiratory therapist associations shall not reject applicants who are eligible for membership.
Article 13
The duties of a respiratory therapist are as follows:
1. Evaluations and tests for respiratory therapy;
2. Mechanical ventilation;
3. Medical gas therapy;
4. Respiratory function improvement therapy;
5. Other respiratory therapies approved by the central competent authority.
Respiratory therapists shall carry out their duties under the instructions of physicians.
Article 14
In the course of carrying out their duties, respiratory therapists shall compile records, affix their signatures or seals to the records, and indicate the following:
1. Name, sex, date of birth, and address of the patient;
2. The method for carrying out respiratory therapy and the date and time when it is carried out;
3. Instructions given by the physician.
The aforesaid records shall be retained by the institutions where respiratory therapists practice for a period of at least seven years. However, if the party concerned is a minor, such records shall be retained for a period of at least seven years after the party concerned attains adulthood.
Article 15
Respiratory therapists shall not make false statements or reports when being inquired by health officials, judicial officials, or judicial policemen.
Article 16
Respiratory therapists shall not disclose, without any reason, the confidential information about others acquired or possessed by them in the course of practicing.