Respiratory Therapist

SUMMARY

Administer and evaluate a wide variety of therapeutic and diagnostic procedures to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of primary pulmonary disease and other medical problems that may affect a patient's pulmonary status. Perform other related duties as required. Brown University Health employees are expected to successfully role model the organization's values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence as these values guide our everyday actions with patients, customers and one another.

In addition to our values, all employees are expected to demonstrate the core Success Factors which tell us how we work together and how we get things done.

• Instill Trust and Value Differences
• Patient and Community Focus and Collaborate

• Perform according to the Respiratory Services Policy & Procedures Manual (204-211) a variety of therapeutic procedures, including:
  • Intermittent positive pressure breathing
  • Chest physiotherapy
  • Postural drainage
  • Nebulizer/erosol therapy
  • Incentive Spirometry
  • Breathing exercises
  • Tracheal irrigation and aspiration
• Administer all inhalant medications with a scientific understanding of actions, expected responses, and adverse reactions, including:
  • Bronchodilators, Mucolytics, Antibiotics, Wetting agents, Steroids, Chromalin drugs, Anti-fungal agents
• Set up and perform CPAP, Bi-PAP, and non-invasive ventilation. Provide and monitor continuous oxygen and humidification therapy. Instruct patient on the use of equipment and monitor equipment function, proper use of equipment, and compliance with written physician's orders.
• Initiate, monitor, and provide respiratory care to all patients dependent on mechanical ventilation for life support (P&P Manual, Section 301-310), including adult mechanical ventilation and neonatal/pediatric ventilation.
• Perform equipment check-out procedures prior to use to ensure proper function, adjust all ventilatory parameters, initiate and monitor mechanical ventilation, and make adjustments to coordinate the ventilator with the patient.
• Demonstrate knowledge of all ventilator modes.
• Nebulize fluids, irrigate airway, and perform deep tracheal suction and cuff care as needed.
• Monitor oxygen concentration, ventilatory volumes, muscular strength, humidification, ventilating pressures, sputum collection and characteristics, breath sounds, and changes in respiratory/pulmonary condition and ability.
• Monitor equipment for proper function.
• Demonstrate ability to properly perform arterial blood gas analysis when authorized by the physician (P&P Manual, Section 401-407).
• Accurately transcribe ABG results and correlate results with the clinical situation. Make arrangements to improve oxygenation and acid‑base balance. Call physician with critical values.
• Interpret and execute all orders prescribed by a physician. Review history and physical, lab and X‑ray reports, and interdisciplinary progress notes to assess patient’s condition and therapeutic needs.
• Work within the physician's order to deliver appropriate therapy.
• Determine best methods for therapy such as appropriate pressure and flow rates for intermittent positive pressure breathing, positions for chest physiotherapy/postural drainage, types of breathing exercises, sensitivity, flow rates, pressure limits/control, ventilatory waveforms, suction or irrigation needs for patients on mechanical ventilation.
• Respond to hazards of therapies appropriately, including life‑threatening situations.
• Instruct patient on rationale and proper procedures for all therapies.
• Monitor pulmonary and cardiac response and results of all therapies.
• Perform accurate and complete documentation of all findings to physician via medical record.
• Evaluate changes in patient’s condition and determine if current therapy is successful in meeting therapeutic objectives.
• Accept verbal/telephone orders from physicians when appropriate and transcribe accurately in the medical record (see P & P Manual, Section 106A).
• Perform Respiratory Therapy Protocols/Consults upon certification (P & P Manual, Section 220).
• Obtain respiratory history and perform patient assessment, including inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation, and review of diagnostic…