Respiratory Therapist

Overview

Provide respiratory care services that are covered under the employee's limited license to practice


respiratory care.

Duties that may be performed:

• Equipment storage, assembly, disassembly, and maintenance
• Gas cylinder transport
• Administration of oxygen
• Administration of hand held nebulizer treatments
• Instruction of incentive spirometers
• Instruction of metered dose inhalers
• Sputum inductions
• Subsequent applications of CPAP and BiPAP
• Blood gas analysis
• Pulmonary function testing
• Ventilator application and maintenance (only with direct observation by preceptor)
• Ventilator application and maintenance (without direct observation)
• Arterial punctures
• Hemodynamic line draws
• Manual ventilation during CPR and transport

• Naso-tracheal suctioning

Responsibilities

Responsible for the safe and effective administration of medically prescribed medication, knowing their indications and contraindications.
Knows and follows the indications and contraindications, the policy and procedures in administering therapeutic modalities to include IPPB, IS, USN, HHN, MDI.
Sets up and monitors oxygen administration.
Sets up oxygen cylinders and assures proper usage and safety measures are in place.
Performs bedside PFT tests. May be requested to perform test in PFT lab following adequate training and/or orientation.
Be a member of the "code team" responding to arrest situations. As part of the team may be expected to perform CPR (compression). Must be certified in CPR procedures annually.
Daily/weekly preventive maintenance and calibration, quality controls of ABG and co-oximeter analyzers.
Familiar with oxygen delivery systems (i.e., nasal, venturi mask).
Familiar with measuring devices to include, but not limited to, pulse oximeter, Wrights respirometer, oxygen blenders.
Responsible for the set-up, safety check, monitoring, and troubleshooting of mechanical ventilators in collaboration with a respiratory therapist.
Familiar with CPAP and BIPAP set-up and administration of CPAP and BIPAP.
Maintains accurate and legible records, documenting clinical notes in patient's charts.
Participation in reporting patient progress, and prioritizing patient condition to the next shift.
Proper documentation in department records. Participates in staff meetings, attends lectures, conferences, and seminars.
Attends all required safety training programs and can describe his/her responsibilities related to general safety, department/service safety, and specific job-related hazards.
Follows the hospital exposure control plans/bloodborne and airborne pathogens.
Demonstrates respect and regard for the dignity of all patients, families, visitors, and fellow employees to ensure a professional, responsible, and courteous environment.
Promotes effective working relations and works effectively as part of a department/unit team inter- and interdepartmentally to facilitate the department's/unit's ability to meet its goals and objectives.

Qualifications

Education (experience can be substituted for education)
High School Diploma or GED Required
Associate's Degree in Respiratory Care Required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Working knowledge of problem solving and decision making skills.
Working knowledge of digital literacy skills.
Outpatient services:
Pulmonary Function test (PFT)
Ankle Brachial Index (ABI)
Stress test
Home sleep study
IN-Lab sleep study
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
Holter monitor
Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
Six minute walk test

Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehab:
Phase I-Initial assessment
Phase II-individualized plan including monitored exercises
Phase III-self-controlled long term maintenance

Licenses and Certifications
Kentucky Board of Respiratory Care, National Board of Respiratory Care Required
BLS Required
ACLS (cardiac and rehab staff) Required