Reg Resp. Therapist PRN 7a - 7p, including every other weekend

Respiratory Therapist

Provides bedside respiratory care to patients as assigned by supervisors and given on the physician's written order for both in-house and out-patient care. Coordinates and performs overall operating procedures of the Arterial Blood Gas Lab; assures an ongoing quality control program for all equipment and service.

Minimum Requirements

Education & Qualifications: Must be a graduate of an approved school of respiratory care

Required Licenses/Certifications: State of Texas certification required; BLS & ACLS certification required.

Work Experience: 3 years in Respiratory Therapy preferred.

Physical Demands & Working Conditions: 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 use hands to finger, grasp, handle, or feel and to reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, see, speak, and hear. The employee is occasionally required to kneel, climb, or balance. The employee is regularly required to lift up to 10 pounds and rarely lift more than 25 pounds.

Special Requirements: Verbal and writing ability required to communicate effectively in informing employees of activities and policies. Numerical ability required. Ability to receive, comprehend, and carry out instructions; ability to work safely with equipment, supplies, and materials; ability to comply with attendance requirements; ability to comply with Human Resource policies. Proficiency with MS Office products including Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint and Outlook. Ability to work effectively with all levels of management and other colleagues. Ability to multi-task, detail-oriented with strong time management skills. Ability to effectively collaborate with customers and team members

Essential Job Responsibilities:

• Demonstrates the ability to perform specific competencies as listed on the Competency Validation checklist.
• Responsible for the safe and effective administration of medically prescribed medications, 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, UDN, CPT, MDI.
• Sets up and monitors oxygen administration.
• Performs arterial punctures using radial, brachial, and femoral sites independently sets up oxygen cylinders and assures proper usage and safety measures are in place.
• Member of the "code team" responding to arrest situations. As part of the team will manage airway bagging. Must be certified in CPR procedures annually.
• Performs all aspects of artificial airway care. Able to perform deep blind tracheal suctioning on patients.
• Daily/weekly preventative maintenance and calibration, quality assurance of ABG analyzers.
• Setting up and maintenance of croup tent.
• Familiar with oxygen delivery systems (i.e., nasal, venuturi mask).
• Familiar with measuring devices to include, but not limited to, pulse oximeter, Wrights respirometer, oxygen blenders.
• Responsible for the setup, safety check, monitoring, and troubleshooting of mechanical ventilators.
• Familiar with CPAP set up and administration of CPAP.
• Follows the hospital exposure control plans/bloodborne and airborne pathogens.
• Attends all required safety training programs and can describe his/her responsibilities related to general safety, department/service safety, and specific job related hazards.
• Attends all mandatory education programs and can describe his/her responsibilities related to general safety and regulatory compliance
• Demonstrates proper body mechanics in all functions.
• Wears proper identification while on duty,
• Perform other duties as assigned