Respiratory Therapist - PRN, Variable

Respiratory Therapist

Administers respiratory care and life support to patients with cardiopulmonary system deficiencies and abnormalities. Trains and acts as a resource for respiratory department technicians.

Organizational Expectations

• Provides a positive and professional representation of the organization.
• Promotes culture of safety for patients and employees through proper identification, reporting, documentation, and prevention.
• Maintains hospital standards for a clean and quiet patient environment to maintain a positive patient care experience.
• Maintains competency and knowledge of current standards of practice, trends, and developments in related scope of job role or practice.
• Adheres to infection-control policies and protocols, medication administration and storage procedures, and controlled substance regulations.
• Participates in ongoing quality improvement activities.
• Maintains compliance with organization's policies, as well as established practices, protocols, and procedures of the position, department, and applicable professional standards.
• Complies with organizational and regulatory policies for handling confidential patient information.
• Demonstrates excellent customer service through his/her attitude and actions, consistent with the standards contained in the Vision, Mission, and Values of the organization.
• Adheres to professional standards, hospital policies and procedures, federal, state, and local requirements, and DNV standards and/or standards from other accrediting bodies.

Essential Functions

• Assesses patients and recommends respiratory therapy treatments.
• Plans, prepares, and administers respiratory therapy treatments including aerosol, chest physical therapy, incentive spirometry, and sputum inductions, in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Performs diagnostic pulmonary and cardiac tests.
• Records patient treatment, response, and progress.
• Inspects, tests, maintains, and operates respiratory therapy equipment.
• Responds to "code blue" calls and assists by maintaining the patient's airway and performing CPR.
• Reads prescription, measures arterial blood gases, and reviews patient information to assess patient condition and determine requirements for treatment such as type and duration of therapy, and medication and dosages.
• Determines most suitable method of administering inhalants, precautions to be observed, and modifications which may be needed that will be compatible with physician's orders.
• Sets up and operates devices such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, and aerosol generators.
• Operates equipment to ensure specified parameters of treatment such as volume, gas, concentration, humidity, and temperature, and to administer medicinal gases and aerosol drugs to patients.
• Monitors patient's physiological responses to therapy such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, and blood chemistry changes.
• Performs bronchopulmonary drainage and assists patient in performing breathing exercises.
• Performs pulmonary function tests to be used by physician in diagnosis of case.
• Observes equipment function and adjusts equipment to obtain optimum results to therapy.
• Consults with physician in event of adverse reactions.
• Maintains patient's chart that contains pertinent identification and therapy information.
• Inspects and tests respiratory therapy equipment to ensure equipment is functioning safely and efficiently.
• Orders repairs when needed.
• Demonstrates respiratory care procedures to trainees and other health care personnel.
• Able to perform tasks without supervision after competence has been verified by the director of the area, and only under the medical direction of a licensed provider.

Job Requirements

Graduate of a Respiratory Therapy school accredited by the Committee for Allied Health Education and Accreditation of the American Medical Association.

Associates degree or equivalent from a two-year college or technical school. Licensed through the Ohio Respiratory Care Board.

One year healthcare experience preferred.

CPR - approved by the American Heart Association.

ACLS - approved by the American Heart Association.

PALS approved by the American Heart Association.

Functional Demands

Working Conditions and Physical Environment

• Works in a patient care setting where there is potential exposure to blood, body fluids, infectious materials; and electrical, fire, chemical, physical contact and equipment hazards.
• Fast-paced setting with rapid patient turnover.
• High patient traffic.
• Close-quartered and shared work space.
• Sufficient mobility to negotiate physical plant.
• Strength and endurance sufficient enough to perform physically for long periods of time without sitting (four to eight hours). May include: walking; lifting 25 50lbs with or without assistance; bending; twisting; standing; sitting; reaching; stair-climbing and descending.
• Physical dexterity and psychomotor skills to respond adequately and appropriately to routine and emergency patient care needs in an ambulatory setting.
• Visual and auditory capabilities sufficient to read information and respond to patient care needs.
• Ability to work in a computerized environment that includes prolonged sitting and use of keyboard, mouse, and monitor.
• Cognitive ability to accurately observe, analyze, and interpret general and technical data both verbal and written to accurately communicate this information.