Resp Therapist

Respiratory Therapist

Respiratory Therapist care for all people with deficiencies and abnormalities of the cardiopulmonary system. Under the general supervision of the physician, they deliver care to patients using assessment, treatment, evaluation and diagnostic testing. The therapist will collaborate with other service areas to help achieve the best patient outcomes. This position is an Essential position at the facility to ensure efficient operations and patient care. Employees hired into an Essential position are expected to report to work for their scheduled shifts regardless of the environmental weather and road conditions that may exist.

Respiratory Therapist provides direct and individualized care to patients. Responsibilities of the Respiratory Therapist include (but are not limited to):

1. Initial assessment with an on-going assessment of the patients status
2. Delivers oxygen therapy as per physician orders
3. Delivers medication via nebulizer or MDI inhaler as per physician orders
4. Educates patient/family members concerning disease process, medications, testing and etc.
5. Performs physician ordered testing of patients such as pulse oximetry, EKG, Arterial Blood Gas, Holter Monitoring, Carbon Dioxide Monitoring and Pulmonary Function Testing
6. Assist in managing basic and advanced life support needs of each patient along with other professional disciplines including airway management, ventilator support, BiPAP/CPAP
7. Records all patients information concisely, accurately, and completely: in a timely manner, in the correct format, and in the appropriate place within the electronic health record
8. Displays professionalism at all times
9. Maintains proper supplies to care for patients
10. Reports any unexpected cardiopulmonary events immediately to the physician
11. Cleans and maintains medical equipment as per manufactures guidelines
12. Serves as Monitor Tech and Med-Surg Unit Clerk When not providing Respiratory Therapy services
13. Sits with 1:1 Observation patients as needed

Facility General Responsibilities:

1. Attend facility new hire orientation as scheduled by HR
2. Complete Department Orientation Initial Competency within 7 days of hire date
3. Complete Department Initial Skills Competency within 90 days of hire date
4. Follow facility and OSHA safety rules and procedures
5. Respect cultural and religious practices of patients from all backgrounds
6. Follow HIPAA regulations at all times
7. Be punctual and dependable for assigned shifts
8. Dress within the dress code requirements of the facility
9. Identifies all patients using at least two identifiers verbally (name and DOB), and by checking ID bracelet
10. Follows Hospital Wide and Department Specific policies and procedures
11. Must interact with physicians, guests, staff, and patients pleasantly, cooperatively, and effectively at all times in a courteous, respectful, and professional manner.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. Sound understanding of respiratory therapy practices and accepted standards of care
2. Critical thinking and problem solving abilities
3. Good communication skills with ability to communicate appropriately with all age groups
4. Ability to perform under stress and cope with difficult situations
5. Good time management and organizational skills to complete patient care and documentation each shift

Position Requirements: Education, Work Experience, Licensure, Certifications:

1. Currently Certified or Registered Respiratory Therapist, in good standing with the Board of Respiratory Care
2. 1 year of Respiratory Therapy experience is preferred
3. Current Basic Life Support, ACLS and PALS

Working Conditions:

Patients need round-the-clock care; therefore working hours include days, nights, weekends, and holidays. Respiratory Therapist spend a considerable amount of time walking, bending, stretching, standing, and assisting in patient transfers; therefore they must follow proper body mechanics to guard against injury. Respiratory Therapist must be able to work accurately around frequent interruptions. Respiratory Therapist may also face hazards from exposure to chemicals and infectious diseases. In addition, Respiratory Therapist treats patients that may be confused, irrational, agitated, and/or uncooperative.

Physical Requirements / Demands:

1. Ability to lift twenty (20) pounds. Moving, lifting, or transferring of patients may involve lifting of up to fifty (50) pounds
2. Ability to stand and walk for extended periods
3. Ability to bend, lean, and stoop without hindrance; requires a full range of body motion
4. Fine motor skills
5. Visual acuity; normal range of hearing

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, talk, and hear. The employee is frequently required to walk and reach forward with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit, stoop, kneel, or crouch. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The overall physical demand rating for a job of Respiratory Therapist falls within the Medium classification (exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects). Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for (Light Duty) according to the Dictionary of Occupational Titles.

Statement of Non-Inclusivity :

This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive list of all duties, skills, responsibilities, and qualifications which may be required of or given to any employee assigned to the position. The skills, duties, requirements, and responsibilities outlined in this job description may be changed or added to when deemed appropriate and necessary by the company or the person who is designated to be managerially responsible for this position. Receipt of the job description does not imply nor create a promise of employment, nor an employment contract of any kind. Employment with the company is an at-will relationship.