General
vent jockey
What does vent jockey mean?
Slang for the respiratory therapist who manages mechanical ventilators.
"Sats are dropping — get the vent jockey to tweak the settings."
Origin
US hospital slang; 'jockey' = operator.
Frequently asked questions
What is a 'vent jockey'?
It is slang for a respiratory therapist, the staff member who manages and adjusts mechanical ventilators.
Is 'vent jockey' offensive?
It is mostly affectionate or jokey slang rather than an insult, though tone varies by who is using it.
Where does the term come from?
US hospital slang, where 'jockey' means the operator of a piece of equipment — here the ventilator.
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