Respiratory Therapist

Overview

This position, independently or in consultation with a physician, administers medications, performs various types of therapeutic modalities and diagnostic testing for and of the cardio-pulmonary system, responds to arrest and emergency situations and provides CPR and life support systems.

• (25%) Performs Respiratory care to evaluate and treat protocol evaluations.
• (25%) Delivers medications via aerosol and metered dose inhalers.
• (25%) Responds to all Rapid Responses, arrest or STAT situations immediately, maintaining artificial airways, and respiration and cardiac compressions.
• (25%) Sets up and maintains all oxygen according to protocol.
• OTHER
  
  DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
  
  

• Manages the physiological and mechanical aspects of a patient that requires life support.
• Weans patients off the ventilator.
• Performs chest physiotherapy and airway clearance.
• Assesses patient to recommend appropriate therapy.
• Performs special procedures for diagnostic and therapeutic reasons, i.e., PFT, bronchoscopes, drawing/analyzing arterial blood gas samples, EKGs, Holter monitoring and oximetry.
• Provides supplemental oxygen throughout the hospital and maintains and changes equipment.
• Maintains inpatient charts and clarifies physician's orders for the department.
• Performs chart auditing and participates in the quality assurance program.
• Assists in orientation of new employees.
• My Michigan Health is a technology driven organization and employees need to demonstrate competency in Microsoft Windows.
• An employee may be required to participate in further learning opportunities offered by My Michigan Health.

Credential: ACLS:
Advanced Cardiac Life Support

Equivalent

Experience:

ACLS certification within 12 months of hire or transfer date effective 1/1/2017. This is a new requirement for casual employees as of 10/01/2023. Casual employees hired prior to 10/01/2023 will have 12 months from this date to complete ACLS training.

Credential: BLS:
Basic Life Support

Equivalent

Experience:

Upon Hire.

Credential: NBRC:
National Board Respiratory Care

Equivalent

Experience:

Employees who received credentials prior to July 1, 2002 are not required to participate in NBRC recertification programs.

Credential: RT:
Licensed Respiratory Therapist

Equivalent

Experience:

Credential: PALS:
Pediatric Advanced Life Support

Equivalent

Experience:

Required within 12 months of hire or 12 months from 10/1/2023 for anyone hired prior to this date.

Credential: TEAM ADVANCED:
Techniques for Effective Aggression Management

Equivalent

Experience:

Within 6 months of hire or transfer (Employees who are in this position on or before 8/1/2024 will have 24 months to complete this certification)

Education: ASSOC

Equivalent

Experience:

Education Specialization:

Essential: true

Must be a graduate of a school Respiratory Therapy with at least a 2 year Associate’s Degree (exception: any therapist who has the RTT credential on or before July 1, 2004 is not required to have an Associate’s Degree)

Current State of Michigan License in Respiratory Care required.

Current Basic Life Support required upon hire.

Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) and Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification required within 12 months of hire.

Ability to troubleshoot malfunctioning equipment (ventilators, ABG analyzers, etc.).

Interpersonal skills needed to communicate successfully with individuals and groups and interact with people at all levels to communicate ideas and concepts in a clear and understandable manner.

Mandatory Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) training must also be completed annually according to the Exposure Control Plan.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS AND TYPICAL

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Exposure to stressful situations, including those involving public contact, as well as trauma, grief and death.

Able to wear personal protective equipment that includes latex materials or appropriate substitute if required for your position.

Is able to move freely about facility with or without an assisted device and must be able to perform the functions of the job as…