Respiratory Therapist

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive respiratory assessments for adult and pediatric patients, including evaluation of airway patency, respiratory effort, oxygenation, ventilation, breath sounds and vital signs.
• Assess newly referred or transferred patients from external facilities for potential admission to NMC Pro Vita, reviewing ventilator settings, airway requirements, respiratory stability and overall suitability for safe transfer.
• Perform point‑of‑care testing (POCT) such as arterial blood gas (ABG) sampling, analyse, interpret and communicate results to the medical team, and integrate findings into treatment planning.
• Conduct diagnostic respiratory tests such as lung capacity tests, peak flow, pulse oximetry, capnography and electrocardiograms as appropriate for different age groups.
• Determine patient‑specific requirements for respiratory care, including indications, precautions and treatment modifications based on age and comorbidities.
• Set up and operate respiratory therapy equipment (e.g., invasive and non‑invasive ventilators, HFNC, CPAP, BiPAP, aerosol generators, nebulisers, airway clearance devices) for both adults and children according to prescribed parameters.
• Provide emergency respiratory intervention across all age groups, including artificial ventilation, airway support, suctioning and participation in code blue or rapid response events.
• Manage mechanical ventilation according to physician orders, adjusting parameters, optimising synchrony and supporting safe ventilator weaning for adults and pediatric patients.
• Administer aerosolised medications, oxygen therapy, airway humidification and bronchial hygiene therapies tailored to patient age and condition.
• Perform airway clearance techniques (CPT, vibration percussion, suctioning, assisted cough techniques) for adults and pediatric patients.
• Assist with tracheostomy care, routine changes and emergency management, ensuring age‑appropriate safety measures.
• Continuously monitor patient response to respiratory therapy, including ventilator synchrony, oxygenation levels, ABG trends, chest expansion, breath sounds and overall clinical stability.
• Recognise early signs of respiratory deterioration or adverse reactions in adult and pediatric patients and promptly elevate concerns to the medical team.
• Report concerns related to clinical deterioration, neglect, abuse or safeguarding risks in line with organisational policies, DOH regulations and mandatory reporting requirements.
• Maintain clear professional and clinical boundaries when working with both adult and pediatric populations, ensuring interventions are developmentally appropriate, ethically sound and aligned with family‑centred and culturally sensitive care principles.
• Review and modify treatment plans in consultation with the physician based on patient progress and diagnostic results.
• Ensure daily quality checks of ventilator settings, alarms, circuits and patient‑device interaction.
• Provide age‑appropriate respiratory care education to patients, families and caregivers, including guidance on respiratory conditions, equipment handling, medications, breathing techniques and home‑care management for both adult and pediatric patients.
• Offer focused training to parents and caregivers of pediatric patients on airway precautions, safe suctioning practices, tracheostomy care, emergency‑response steps and developmentally appropriate respiratory home‑management strategies.
• Deliver clear explanations of treatment procedures and provide hands‑on instruction in respiratory therapies such as pulmonary exercises, bronchopulmonary drainage, airway‑clearance techniques and breathing‑training programmes.
• Teach and demonstrate respiratory procedures to nurses and other healthcare personnel to ensure consistent application of safe and effective practices.
• Inspect, clean, disinfect and maintain respiratory therapy equipment to ensure safe and efficient functioning.
• Troubleshoot ventilator and device malfunctions and initiate repairs when necessary.
• Enforce safety rules and ensure adherence to infection control and equipment‑handling protocols.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of assessments,…