Respiratory Therapist

Provides routine and specialized respiratory care. Responsible for treatment of patients to include, but not limited to, providing direct patient care and assisting with maintenance of supplies and equipment as needed for operation of the department. Assisting in developing programs for the department.

Maintains, prepares and tests respiratory equipment for proper and safe operation.

Delivers respiratory equipment to the patient floor in proper working condition. Follows and enforces the safety rules of the department and hospital.

Follow special procedures such as isolation precautions, etc. Upon completion of therapy, returns equipment to the department for processing.

Periodically checks respiratory therapy equipment in use on the floors and on the units for proper operation and routine service. Reports any malfunctions of equipment to the Director of Respiratory Therapy.

Records procedures and patient responses on appropriate medical record form.

Collects sputum specimens for laboratory culturing.

Able to recognize the signs of cardiopulmonary arrest and/or failure. Assists in performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation procedures.

Follow proper safety procedures and lifting techniques. Reports all injuries and unsafe practices immediately to the Director of Respiratory Therapy.

Draws arterial blood gas sample and performs gas analysis by staff licensed by the state and authorized by the Medical Director.

Evaluates blood gas reports, checks for accuracy of results and reports abnormal blood gas values to patient nurses or physicians.

Performs EKG as required.

Responsible for implementation of information appropriate for the age of the patient under care.

Demonstrate proper respect, attitude, courtesy, and professionalism and communication skills towards patients, staff, co-workers, doctors, administration personnel.

Ensures that patient evaluations are performed to protocol. Results are communicated to staff and goals set.

Treatments are performed as ordered in a safe, timely manner with staff and family members involved in treatment when indicated.

Competent in the following, as appropriate to the ages of the patients:

The ability to obtain information and interpret information in terms of the patient’s needs.

Acknowledgement of human growth and development.

An understanding of the range of treatment needed by the patient.

Provides direct care to patients according to the department's needs.

Upon request from the Director of Respiratory Therapy, performs other assigned duties as required.

Skills and Abilities

Ability to give and carry out oral and written instructions.

Get along with people of all backgrounds.

Ability to sit, stand and walk frequently.

Ability to supervise and instruct.

Be able to lift, carry, and use hands and fingers skillfully, safely and easily.

Ability to multitask.

Bilingual preferred (English/Spanish)

Physical Demands

Light work: Exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force frequently, up to 1/3 of the time to move objects. Requires walking or standing to a significant degree and requires sitting a minimal amount of time.

Environmental Conditions

Inside: Protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes.

Subject to exposure to infectious and contagious diseases.

Subject to exposure to blood borne pathogens.

Subject to exposure to hazardous anesthetic agents, body fluids, and wastes.

Reasoning Development

Be able to apply principles of rational systems to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.

Mathematical Development

Be able to compute standard measures, weights, ratios, volumes as are common in Mechanical Ventilators.

Language Development

Reading: Read and understand instructions and be able to convey instructions and guidance to patients and peers.

Writing: Write reports with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar using all parts of speech.

Speaking: Speak with poise, authority, voice control, confidence and respect using correct English in a well-modulated voice.

Relationships to Data, People and Things

Data: Coordinating: Determines time, place and sequence of operations or actions to be taken on the basis of analysis of data; executes determination of and/or reports on events.

People: Maintains harmonious relations among peers and promotes efficiency.

Things: Handling: Uses body members, hand tools, and/or special devices to work, move or carry objects or material.

Qualification

To do this job, you must have the following amount of total education and/or experience:

A. Education

Associate Degree in Respiratory Therapy from an AMA accredited school.

Must have a current RRT licensed from the State of Florida.

Must have a current CPR certification.

Must have a current ACLS certification.

Must have a current PALS certification.

B. Experience and Training

Knowledge of the principles and experience in the use of blood gas analysis and care of the critical respiratory patient.

Thorough knowledge of respiratory therapy practices, basic sciences related to respiratory therapy, Mechanical Ventilators.