This study's objectives were to explore and analyze task interrelationships among department personnel; determine what specific tasks are currently performed in inhalation therapy/respiratory care departments; propose a series of appropriate tasks for occupational titles; and report future plans of the AHPP in the area of study. Contents include the study procedures, a sample survey, data analysis, results, conclusions, and implications. Fifty pages of appendixes include the health care facilities surveyed, tasks involved in maintenance functions, a respiratory care survey and task list, background information, percentage of respondents, and mean scores for administrative and supervisory tasks. Major findings and implications were: (1) there is no major quantitative differentiation between job title and the set of tasks an individual may perform; (2) no evidence of a career ladder was observed within the occupational field; (3) most daily activities of inhalation therapy/respiratory care personnel center on therapeutic tasks; (4) a specific set of tasks is proposed for each group of employees identified in the survey; and (5) education and training programs should be structured so each higher level incorporates all preceding levels. (NH)