RRT

Registered Respiratory Therapist

Provides Respiratory Care services in accordance with department policies. Administers monitors controls and evaluates complex life support systems that ventilate acute or chronically ill patients. Participates in hospital initiatives and projects.

Position:
Registered Respiratory Therapist

Department: IP Respiratory Therapy

Schedule:

Full Time Nights 36 hours

Conducts Respiratory Care services according to department policy and procedure as assigned to ensure the quality of care provided to patients. Reviews the patient chart and accurately interprets the physician's orders. Sets up appropriate equipment and medication needed for each test and therapy treatment correctly as observed by observation and documentation. Administers all tests treatments and therapy as ordered as evidenced by hospital documentation self audit and supervisory review.

Such therapy will include oxygen administration humidity therapy airway management resuscitation mechanical ventilation and EKG testing. Documents every patient treatment administered in patient charts noting response to therapy as evidenced by review of patient documentation. Delivers sets up and safely operates mechanical ventilators and monitors patients receiving mechanical ventilation. Performs endotracheal suctioning and tracheal suctioning as needed. These standards will be reviewed by supervisory observation and hospital documentation.

Makes patient rounds according to assigned department schedules. Observes patient condition checks operation of equipment and makes adjustments as necessary. Resolves problems and discontinues therapy as ordered. Removes equipment from patient rooms and disassembles equipment following department policies. Recognizes medical problems (i.e. adverse reactions to therapy) discontinues treatment if indicated and notifies physician immediately. Applies emergency protocols as needed and alerts Respiratory Care supervisor.

Proceeds to location and assists physicians with establishment and maintenance of patient airway in the event of a cardiac arrest. Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age groups of neo-natal pediatric adolescent adult and geriatric patients regularly served. Notifies supervisor when patients in age groups not regularly served are present and seeks assistance from individuals with the knowledge of the specialized needs of such patient age groups.

Performs advanced Respiratory Therapy assignments. Attends and participates as directed in activities of collaborative clinical committees. Assists in development and implementation of protocols clinical pathways policies and procedures. Provides in-service education to members of Respiratory Therapy Department at least annually. Assists in development of quality improvement indicators collecting data analyzing results and suggests corrective action. Performs advanced clinical and technical assignments with critical care patients.

Attends as directed and completes Advanced Cardiac Life Support. Assists with bronchoscopy following department policy and procedure. Performs pulmonary function testing as directed. Performs tracheotomy tube changes. Performs Arterial Blood Gases punctures and/or arterial line samples. Analyzes blood gas samples according to policy. Reports results and problem with results and/or equipment to the appropriate personnel. Performs endotracheal intubation following department policy and procedure.

Maintains clinical competency in areas of Respiratory Care to ensure ability to utilize up to date methods in care giving (the following standards will be reviewed based on self audit hospital documentation and supervisory review). Maintains current Massachusetts License as a Respiratory Therapist and registration by the National Board of Respiratory Care as a Respiratory Therapist. Attends all mandatory continuous education classes as assigned during the year.

Assumes Charge Therapist responsibilities when and as directed by supervisor. Participates in non-assigned service related continuing education classes to ensure professional development and license requirements. Attends all scheduled staff meetings or if unable accepts responsibility for reading staff meeting minutes. Accepts membership in all assigned department or hospital committees or task forces. Demonstrates knowledge of patient's clinical needs and contacts appropriate personnel to meet identified needs as documented by problem reporting and QI system.

Manages work time in a generally productive and reliable manner. Ensures maintaining work area clean and organized daily. Operates assigned equipment and performs all procedures in a safe manner as instructed. Demonstrates proper body mechanics in all functions as required. Performs electrocardiograph tests on patients in the various units to discover variations in the heart muscle's electrical activity associated with diseased state in accordance with departmental…