Registered Respiratory Therapist-PRN

Respiratory Therapist

The Respiratory Therapy Department is responsible for all respiratory needs for assigned patients of all ages, infants through adult. The therapist shall assume responsibility for implementing and assessing the rehabilitation needs of the patients and dispersing of respiratory interventions.

Primarily Interacts with: administration, physicians, employees, clinical and non-clinical departments, patients, visitors, and volunteers.

Essential Functions:

• Reads prescription, measures arterial blood gases, and review patient information to assess patient condition and determine requirements for treatment, such as type and duration of therapy, medication and dosages.
• Determines most suitable method of administering inhalants, precautions to be observed, and modifications which may be needed that will be compatible with physician's orders.
• Sets up and operates devices, such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, and aerosol generators.
• Operates equipment to ensure specified parameters of treatment, such as volume, gas concentration, humidity, and temperature, and to administer medical gases and aerosol drugs to patients.
• Monitors patient's physiological responses to therapy, such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, and blood chemistry changes.
• Performs bronchopulmonary drainage and assists patient in performing breathing exercises.
• Performs pulmonary function testing to be used by physician in diagnosis of case.
• Observes equipment function and adjusts equipment to obtain optimum results to therapy.
• Maintains established departmental policies and procedures. Objectives, quality assurance program, safety, environmental and infection prevention and control standards.
• Consults with physicians in the event of adverse reactions.
• Ensures adequate stock of supplies within department.
• Demonstrates respiratory care procedures to trainees and other healthcare personnel.
• Cooperates with other personnel to achieve departmental objectives and maintain good employee relations, inter-departmental objectives and infection control policies.
• Maintains patient's chart that contains pertinent identification and therapy information.
• Orders repairs when needed.
• Provide exemplary customer service.
• Maintain confidentiality and compliance with HIPAA.
• Cordially demonstrate timeliness and professionalism in appearance, communications, and actions during all interactions and with all individuals and entities.
• Solve practical problems, dealing with a variety of issues, and interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written and oral form.
• Enhances professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, current literature, in-service meetings and workshops.
• Attend meetings as required.
• Perform other duties as requested or assigned.

Requirements:

Ability to Use Equipment, Tools, Materials, Machines:
Computer, telephone, facsimile machine, copier, scanner, printer, calculator and other standard office equipment.

Education/Experience/Skills/Abilities:

• Must be a graduate of a two (2) year AMA approved RT program or equivalent and have successfully completed the registry exam administered by the NBRC.
• Must hold a current license in Respiratory Care approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services.
• Must obtain the required hours set forth by the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC) via cardiopulmonary seminars, conferences, online educational webinars, and all other acceptable educational tools on an annual basis.
• Must hold certifications for: BLS, ACLS, PALS, and NRP.

Experience:

• One year customer service experience required.
• Prefer one (1) year experience in acute care hospital with some experience working in intensive care areas.

Personal Job-Related Skills / Abilities:

• Must be committed to quality and patient safety at all times.
• Excellent command / highly proficient in spoken and written English; bilingual in Spanish preferred.
• Basic computer skills, including but not limited to:
  Microsoft Office, information security, scheduling and payroll systems, electronic medical documentation, and email.
• Must be effective at adjusting to change, prioritizing duties, handling stress and effectively communicating face-to-face and/or over the telephone.
• Must be able to work independently, and flexibly, and as a part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Must be able to manage several interruptions throughout the shift.
• Must have strong interpersonal and communication skills, verbal and written.
• Must have strong time management skills.
• Must be able to work under pressure while interacting in a helpful, courteous manner with a high degree of patient contact.
• Sufficient hearing, vision and dexterity to perform duties safely.

Physical and Mental Requirements:

Physical:

• Walking: 40
• Squatting: 1
• Standing: 60
• Pulling: 30
• Kneeling: 1
• Reaching: 30
• Sitting: 5
• Lifting up to 30lbs: 20
• Pushing: 5
• Wrist/Finger Movements: 90
• Bending: 10
• Climbing: 1

Mental:

• Stress Level Moderate to High

Individual position core competencies:

• Quality
• Service…