Respiratory Therapist

Overview

Provide respiratory care services that are covered under the employee's limited license to practice respiratory care.

• Equipment storage, assembly, disassembly, and maintenance.
• Gas cylinder transport.
• Administration of oxygen.
• Administration of hand held nebulizer treatments.
• Instruction of incentive spirometers.
• Instruction of metered dose inhalers.
• Sputum inductions.
• Subsequent applications of CPAP and BiPAP.
• Blood gas analysis.
• Pulmonary function testing.
• Ventilator application and maintenance (only with direct observation by preceptor).
• Ventilator application and maintenance (without direct observation).
• Arterial punctures.
• Hemodynamic line draws.
• Manual ventilation during CPR and transport.
• Naso-tracheal suctioning.
• Responsible for the safe and effective administration of medically prescribed medication, knowing their indications and contraindications.
• Knows and follows the indications and contraindications, the policy and procedures in administering therapeutic modalities to include IPPB, IS, USN, HHN, MDI.
• Sets up and monitors oxygen administration.
• Sets up oxygen cylinders and assures proper usage and safety measures are in place.
• Performs bedside PFT tests. May be requested to perform test in PFT lab following adequate training and/or orientation.
• Be a member of the “code team” responding to arrest situations. As part of the team may be expected to perform CPR (compression). Must be certified in CPR procedures annually.
• Daily/weekly preventive maintenance and calibration, quality controls of ABG and co-oximeter analyzers.
• Familiar with oxygen delivery systems (i.e., nasal, venturi mask).
• Familiar with measuring devices to include, but not limited to, pulse oximeter, Wrights respirometer, oxygen blenders.
• Responsible for the set-up, safety check, monitoring, and troubleshooting of mechanical ventilators in collaboration with a respiratory therapist.
• Familiar with CPAP and BIPAP set-up and administration of CPAP and BIPAP.
• Maintains accurate and legible records, documenting clinical notes in patient’s charts.
• Participation in reporting patient progress, and prioritizing patient condition to the next shift.
• Proper documentation in department records.
• Participates in staff meetings, attends lectures, conferences, and seminars.
• Attends all required safety training programs and can describe his/her responsibilities related to general safety, department/service safety, and specific job-related hazards.
• Follows the hospital exposure control plans/blood borne and airborne pathogens.
• Demonstrates respect and regard for the dignity of all patients, families, visitors, and fellow employees to ensure a professional, responsible, and courteous environment.
• Promotes effective working relations and works effectively as part of a department/unit team inter- and interdepartmentally to facilitate the department's/unit's ability to meet its goals and objectives.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Complies with all policies and standards.

Education

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Associate's Degree in Respiratory Care required.

Experience

• No specific work experience requirement listed.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Must be eligible to provide respiratory care services under a limited license to practice respiratory care.
• Knowledge of respiratory therapy procedures, equipment, and patient care practices.
• Ability to perform diagnostic testing, therapeutic treatments, and patient education activities under appropriate supervision.
• Strong communication, documentation, and teamwork skills.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and comply with departmental policies, procedures, and safety standards.