Respiratory Therapist

The primary purpose of this position is to provide direct Respiratory care to the residents to restore pulmonary function; alleviate pain; support life by planning and administering medically prescribed respiratory therapy. This is not a traveling position, the setting is in a skilled and long-term nursing care facility.

• This position requires a current valid Licensed Respiratory Therapist issued in the state where the person will practice.
• Must have thorough knowledge of respiratory techniques, and practices.
• Must have a thorough knowledge of the specialized procedures applied, and equipment used, in the assigned unit.
• Must be able to demonstrate leadership and organizational skills, and provide positive attitude, and direction for the nursing staff.
• Up-to-date physical assessment skills and comprehensive knowledge of respiratory principles are required.
• Must be CPR certified.
• Recent experience in geriatric or rehabilitative nursing and experience preferred.

• Meets the resident goals and needs and provides quality are by conducting pulmonary function tests; assessing and interpreting evaluations and test results; determining respiratory therapy treatment plans in consultation with physicians and by prescription.
• Helps resident accomplish treatment plan and supports life by administering inhalants, operating mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, and aerosol generators.
• Administers respiratory therapy treatments by performing bronchopulmonary drainage; assisting with breathing exercises; monitoring physiological responses to therapy, such as vital signs, arterial blood gasses, and blood chemistry changes; directing treatments given by nursing department.
• Evaluates effects of respiratory therapy treatment plan by observing, noting, and evaluating patient’s progress, recommending adjustments and modifications.
• Completes discharge planning by consulting with physicians, nurses, social workers, and other health care workers, contributing to patient care conferences.
• Assures continuation of therapeutic plan following discharge by designing home exercise programs; instructing patients, families, and caregivers in home exercise programs; recommending and/or providing assistive equipment; recommending outpatient or home health follow-up programs.
• Documents resident care services by charting in resident and department records.
• Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.
• Cooperate with other resident services when coordinating respiratory services to ensure that the resident’s total regimen of care is maintained.
• Participate in facility surveys and inspections made by authorized government agencies as may be requested.
• Manages conflict through effective problem-solving and communication skills.
• Shows initiative and seeks to improve.
• Addresses resident and family concerns.

• Meets patient's goals and needs and provides quality care by conducting pulmonary function tests; assessing and interpreting evaluations and test results; determining respiratory therapy treatment plans in consultation with physicians and by prescription.
• Helps patient accomplish treatment plan and supports life by administering inhalants, operating mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, and aerosol generators.
• Administers respiratory therapy treatments and/or directing treatments given by aides, technicians, and assistants.
• Evaluates effects of respiratory therapy treatment plan by observing, noting, and evaluating patient's progress, recommending adjustments and modifications.