Respiratory Therapist

Therapists are responsible for performing specific and specialized duties as outlined for patients on the Ventilatory/Trach Unit.

Primary duties are to ensure adequate ventilation, oxygenation, and airway maintenance and pulmonary hygiene to patients who have artificial airway devices in use. Facility and Department policies and standards of professionalism must be maintained.

Staff Therapist are generally responsible to the Respiratory Services Manager and work under the Supervision of the Medical Director of the Ventilator/Trach Unit.

Therapist is expected to perform the duties and responsibilities outlined below with minimal or indirect supervision and will be frequently required to make independent decisions.

Education, Training & Experience:

Staff Therapist must be recognized by the NBRC as a Certified Therapist or be eligible for the CRT Examination, or have equivalent education and training as determined by the department.

Graduation from AMA accredited educational program for Respiratory Therapist

Previous clinical experience is preferred. Therapist must also maintain a current state License and CPR card.

Responsibilities:

Review existing data in patient record including admission and current respiratory care orders, patient history, physical examination, blood gas results, and additional laboratory data.

Explain procedures, planned therapy and goals upon admission and any discharge education to patient and family members responsible for patient's care.

Collect and evaluate additional pertinent clinical information by inspection, auscultation and patient interview.

Conduct prescribed therapeutic procedures to achieve maintenance of patient airways including maintenance of adequate humidification.

Conduct therapeutic procedures to achieve adequate spontaneous and artificial ventilation.

Record therapy and results as required by policy and communicate information to appropriate members of health care team.

Evaluate and monitory patient's response to respiratory therapy.

Initiate, conduct and modify respiratory therapy techniques in an emergency setting, including CPR.

Recommend or request chest X-ray reports to determine presence of changes in consolidation, atelectasis, pneumothorax, and position of tracheal tube.

Perform collection of and evaluate blood gas analysis.

Collect aspirated specimens for pathology examinations.

Determine appropriateness of prescribe therapy and goals for pathophysiological state.

Follow wearing protocols as established and prescribed in department policy and procedures.

Demonstrate understanding and adherence to policy and procedure.

Staff Therapist is expected to be familiar with adult ventilators (both pressure and volume). Oxygen analyzers, humidifiers, nebulizers, O2 Concentrators, regulators and flowmeters, mechanical percussors, Bi-Pap and CPAP units and Pulse Oximetry devices. Therapist must utilize person protective equipment (PPE) when indicated.

Working Conditions:

Clinically subject to infectious diseases, environmental hazards associated with decontamination procedures, muscular strain from moving or lifting equipment, supplies or patients.

These individual walks and stands for long periods of time in the performance of job duties and sits intermittently throughout the day

The Respiratory Therapist typically works in a clean, well-lighted heated and ventilated health facility.

Special Abilities:

Ther Respiratory Therapist must have a basic understanding of management and the ability to control his/her behavior of patients and others.

He/She must have basic knowledge of cardio-pulmonary physiology and other sciences related to respiratory care and be able to demonstrate these to others.

A thorough understanding of the drugs used in respiratory care procedures is required.

The practitioner must exhibit mature judgment, honesty, integrity, and a high sense of responsibility.

Work must be performed with a high degree of accuracy and particular attention to detail.

The individual must be able to use tact and judgement when dealing with physicians, nurses, other facility employees, patients and their families.

The verbal ability to explain various procedures being performed and demonstrated to other employees, patients and patient's families is essential.