Respiratory Therapist

Respiratory Therapist

The Respiratory Therapist performs basic and advanced therapeutic, diagnostic and life support respiratory care procedures in general and in intensive patient care areas, or home care environment.

Schedule:

Full-Time, Days / Nights

Essential Duties And Responsibilities:

• Assesses, plans, implements and evaluates patient care in order to achieve optimum patient outcomes for patients of all ages as appropriate to service area.
• Age specific ongoing assessments are completed, documented and used to develop a plan of care.
• Collaborates with members of the health care team/patient/family to develop, implement, and evaluate an age-specific interdisciplinary plan of care. Revises plan according to changes in patient status.
• Treatments and medications for patients of all ages are accurately administered and documented.
• Patient/family (caregiver) educational needs are identified in a timely manner, incorporated into the plan of care, implemented and documented appropriately.
• Actively participates in performance improvement program by obtaining desired outcomes.
• Assures personal and professional development through participation in educational activities and completion of annual competency validation.
• Consistently demonstrates the role of patient advocate, protector of patient's rights, and provider of psychological/social/cultural support.
• Applies knowledge of growth and development to appropriately care for patients served.

Qualifications:

• Associate degree and / or certification required from CoARC (Committee on Accreditation of Respiratory Care Education) approved school of respiratory therapy.
• Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner by the VA State Board of Medicine.
• Certified / Registered Respiratory Therapist (C/RRT) by the National Board for Respiratory Care.
• 1-5 years of experience is preferred.

Physical And Mental Demands:

• Work requires moderate effort for such activities as bending, stretching, stooping, pushing or walking.
• Occasional heavy lifting.
• Occasional exposure to seasonal unpleasant environmental conditions or cramped workspace.
• Occasional exposure to serious injury or environmental hazards to include blood and bodily fluids requiring standard precautions.
• May be exposed to infectious diseases, bio-hazardous materials and combative patients.
• Work is performed in patient care environment and is often fast-paced, requiring use of prioritization skills.