When you talk to Chris Chapman, respiratory therapy supervisor at TriVent Healthcare at UAB Hospital in Birmingham, Ala., you’ll quickly learn one thing…he loves his job. 

That may not be what everyone expects in a field as demanding as respiratory therapy. But for Chapman – and many others who’ve made the move to TriVent – the difference is clear. At TriVent, respiratory therapists (RTs) aren’t running from room to room checking vitals or simply following orders. They’re spending real, quality time with patients. And that makes all the difference. 

More Time Equals Better Care 

One of the biggest differences Chapman notices between working at a traditional acute care hospital and TriVent is time. At most hospitals, RTs are overloaded with patient assignments and often forced to rush from one patient to the next with little time to connect with the patient one on one. 

At TriVent, Chapman says RTs spend 20 to 25% more time with their patients. That extra time doesn’t just improve the patient experience – it leads to better outcomes. RTs can educate patients and their families, answer their questions and tailor care plans based on real interactions and progress, not just a chart. 

“It’s not about just doing tasks,” says Chapman. “You really get to focus on the art of respiratory therapy here.” 

Another major difference? Decision-making power. At TriVent, RTs follow a Therapist-Driven Weaning protocol that’s been approved by each unit’s pulmonologists and medical director. This protocol allows RTs to work through the entire weaning process autonomously, without needing to pause for physician input at every step. The result? More responsive, efficient care—and a team that’s fully aligned and in sync when it matters most. 

That level of trust also leads to greater job satisfaction. RTs aren’t just part of the TriVent care team – they’re essential to it.  

Patients Remember You Here 

At TriVent,  the time and trust built between RTs and patients create lasting connections. Therapists don’t just treat symptoms – they witness progress, celebrate milestones and sometimes even reunite with former patients who return just to say thank you. In fact, Chapman recently reconnected with a patient who had been on a ventilator for three years. She came back – walking and breathing on her own – to visit the team that helped her reclaim her life. 

“You don’t really get that kind of closure in a hospital setting,” Chapman says. “But here, it happens. And it makes you proud of what you do.” 

TriVent’s multidisciplinary model is another reason RTs find their work so fulfilling. Respiratory therapists collaborate daily with physical therapists, occupational therapists and other specialists to treat the whole patient – not just the lungs. This approach helps ease patient anxiety and builds confidence across the board. 

 “When patients see the same faces – people who are focused on helping them get stronger – it changes their mindset,” says Chapman. “They feel safe…they feel supported…and that pushes themselves to improve.” 

More Purpose, Less Stress 

All of this leads to an environment where RTs are more fulfilled and less stressed. At TriVent, there’s a genuine sense of camaraderie among the team and a shared mission: helping patients recover and return to their lives. That mission is made possible by a model that prioritizes quality time, professional autonomy and a multidisciplinary approach to care.  

It’s not just patients who benefit from this approach – RTs do, too!