Job Title: Respiratory Therapist

Department: Respiratory Therapy

Job Summary: Responsible for administering safe and competent respiratory care as ordered per physician, with emphasis in specialty areas (i.e., Emergency, Neonatal, Pediatric, Geriatric and Critical Care), monitoring mechanical ventilation, administering medications, patient assessment, understanding ramifications of hemodynamic monitoring, understanding blood work results, monitoring, teaching, and training.

Job Qualifications:

A. Education: Graduate of an AMA approved School for Respiratory Care or equivalent, passing score on the NBRC entry level examination, licensure by the State as a Respiratory Care Practitioner.

B. Personal Job-Related Skills: Able to concentrate and make quick judgments with a high level of skill, knowledge, understanding and accuracy. Ability to work without close supervision.

C. Licensure, Registry or Certification: State licensure as a Respiratory Care Practitioner. BLS certification required. ACLS preferred.

D. Experience:

1. Prior work experience: One year experience as a professional Respiratory Therapist preferred.

E. Physical and Mental Requirements: Duties of the position may require extended periods of standing and walking. Bending, stooping, twisting, reaching and lifting up to 50 pounds. Occasional heavy lifting when moving or supporting patients who may become weak or helpless.

Other Significant Requirements:

F. Maintains confidentiality while working with confidential matters on a daily basis.

G. Assists with direct patient care as needed.

H. Provides service direct to patients while maintaining a positive patient relations atmosphere.

I. Interacts with patients, family members, Medical Staff members and other department managers on a continuous basis.

J. Reports to work on time, always maintains professionalism, and performs duties with minimal supervision.

K. Utilizes aseptic procedures and maintains aseptic precautions when involved in direct patient contact or handling potentially infectious materials.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

A. Competent delivery of all Respiratory Care procedures as outlined in the department policy and procedure manual.

B. Maintain accurate and complete documentation of all Respiratory Care procedures per department policy and procedures.

C. Verify Respiratory Care physician’s orders. Initial, date, and time order after verification.

D. Receive and give accurate and complete report. Update and complete patient profile card to reflect patient's current clinical status. Be prepared and ready to receive/give report at the specified report times.

E. Attend and participate in department in-services, meetings, patient care rounds, and mandatory hospital meetings.

F. Keep Supervisor apprised of changes in workload and patient acuity.

G. Enter into the department's computer all daily services and charges given to patients.

H. Demonstrate excellent working knowledge of Respiratory Care instruments and equipment. Perform troubleshooting with appropriate problem resolution.

I. Perform effective airway management to include bag/mask ventilation. Assist physician/intubation certified therapist with intubation. Demonstrate safe and appropriate suction techniques and use of artificial airways.

J. Initiate and perform "CPR". Primarily responsible for airway management.

K. Initiate, maintain, monitor and document continuous mechanical ventilation.

L. Provide timely and accurate update information to the physicians and other hospital personnel. Make recommendations for changes or modification of patient therapy by contacting physicians.

M. Assist in orientation/training of new employees, respiratory/nursing students, and precept new employees during orientation.

N. Understand and institute advanced ventilator modalities such as IRV, SILV PC.

O. Work in all areas of the hospital.

P. Effectively discuss advanced respiratory pathophysiology with physicians, and can implement changes based on patient condition.

Q. Perform arterial blood gas sampling.

R. Evaluate chest x-ray for endotracheal placement and other clinical conditions optimizing Respiratory Care delivery.

S. Complete required continuous training and education, including department-specific requirements.

T. Comply with established personal protective equipment requirements necessary for protection against exposure to blood and other potentially infectious body fluids, chemical disinfectants, radiation, asbestos, and other hazardous substances.

U. Demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served within the unit.

V. Appropriately perform and properly place leads for Electrocardiograms throughout the facility.

W. Perform other duties as assigned.