Per-diem Respiratory Therapist

Overview

To be part of our organization, every employee should understand and share in the YNHHS Vision, support our Mission, and live our Values. These values — integrity, patient-centered, respect, accountability, and compassion — must guide what we do, as individuals and professionals, every day.

The Respiratory Care Practitioner provides restorative and interventional care to patients requiring respiratory care for chronic or acute conditions. They deliver various treatment modalities, monitor efficacy, and identify when modality changes are needed. As a member of the critical care team, the therapist provides resuscitative measures when necessary and serves as a resource to patient care providers, given their education in pulmonary medicine.

The therapist also performs EKG, ABG, and related duties.

EEO/AA/Disability/Veteran

• Reviews all physician orders prior to administering therapeutic modalities, monitors for appropriateness and contacts nurses or physicians for clarification as needed.
• Performs patient assessment prior to and upon completion of all therapies according to established policies.
• Administers various modalities of respiratory care according to established departmental policies to achieve desired outcomes and documents patient response.
• Evaluates all patients for response to therapy and refers those with unusual or adverse responses immediately to appropriate personnel per department policy.
• Suggests modification of treatment plans based on assessment of patient responses.
• Participates in patient/family education regarding therapy goals, medication use, breathing techniques, oxygen and equipment, and other identified areas.
• Collects appropriate data for use in clinical treatment and updates shifts accordingly, documenting per department policy.
• Utilizes the clinical information system.
• Keeps knowledge of equipment operation and troubleshooting across settings per policies.
• Performs in emergency situations, using resuscitative techniques, airway management, and equipment.
• Provides respiratory care and support for patients requiring transport from NICU to adults.
• Provides support during oxygen system failure.
• Participates in CQI.
• Performs EKGs.
• Collects arterial blood specimens for analysis.
• Cross‑trained staff: performs diagnostic testing and completes paperwork; pulmonary rehabilitation staff assess, manage, and educate patients in the pulmonary rehabilitation program.
• Safely operates all equipment per manufacturer specifications, follows safe patient interaction and body‑mechanics procedures, obtains and maintains required vaccines and immunizations, and adheres to hazardous‑material handling protocols.
• Meets performance expectations for customer service, teamwork, resource utilization, and staff/self development as outlined in performance reviews.
• Performs other duties as assigned or directed to ensure smooth operation of the department/unit.

Graduate of an accredited School of Respiratory Therapy with the credential of Registered Respiratory Therapist or Certified Respiratory Therapist; must obtain RRT credential within eighteen months.

May begin as entry‑level practitioner with no experience; must successfully attain necessary skills during orientation and probationary period.

Current State of Connecticut license is required.

Cross‑trained staff in cardiology, pulmonary lab, and/or pulmonary rehabilitation.