Registered Respiratory Therapist

Job Title

Respiratory Therapist

Duties

The duties include:

• Medication delivery related to respiratory care, initiating and monitoring oxygen therapy, assisting with cardiopulmonary resuscitation suctioning of artificial airway, evaluating and performing aerosol humidification therapy and participating in care team rounds.
• Ability to perform therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care.
• Analyze physiological specimens obtained, including arterial blood gases, pulse oximetry, End Tidal CO2 (ETCo2) monitoring, basic spirometry, and other basic diagnostic procedures.
• Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for respiratory care to help provide favorable patient outcomes.
• Skilled in assessing oxygenation and ventilation.
• Ability to perform basic airway management, including artificial airways and mechanical ventilation.

GS-11 duties include:

• Care is to be provided with the therapist able to function independently and make sound decisions relating to respiratory needs of the patient utilizing clinical and laboratory data.
• Responsible for performing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures as needed.
• Monitors complex respiratory equipment such as volume and pressure ventilators for patients who are critically ill.
• Implements planned weaning and monitors the patient for adequate ventilation during the weaning process.
• Responsible to make patient assessments of cardiopulmonary status utilizing data obtained through physical examination, laboratory testing, and monitoring various indicators such as oximetry, carbon dioxide, and pulmonary function.
• Responsible to insure proper airway and tube care for patients in ICU.
• Must have basic life support training and provide documentation of current certification.
• Draws arterial blood sample by arterial puncture and/or arterial line withdrawal.
• Responsible for documenting pertinent information regarding patient care to include ventilator checklists, medications, and progress records, writing verbal/telephone orders for co-signature, department records, and other records as assigned.
• Coordinates scheduled appointments for inpatients and outpatients with physician and other departments as appropriate.
• Performs data entry into the computer daily for all procedure done in Cardiopulmonary.
• Performs oximetry checks per established department protocols for home oxygen patients to assure they re-qualify within the qualifying range required.
• Participate in cleaning and cold sterilization of some respiratory equipment and will always adhere to all RME and manufacture recommendation on the cleaning process.
• Performs the following procedures with proficiency and confidence under minimal supervision: Oxygen, aerosol, humidity, and positive pressure breathing therapy.
• Maintain, adjust, weans and monitors patients on a ventilator.
• Measuring and charting of tracheal cuff pressures.
• Transports ventilated patients to radiology and other special procedure areas.
• Analyzing blood with mechanical arterial blood gas analyzer.
• Will respond to emergencies, make assessments, and implements proper actions and judgments, and responds to all Code Blue/Medical Emergencies and provides assistance within scope of practice.
• Performs bedside pulmonary function testing as required. Performs all respiratory therapy tasks using aseptic techniques to provide best care available to the patient.
• Educate patients in proper methods of breathing devices and use of home oxygen. Ensures operating supplies are readily available for patient care.
• Works with outpatients to assist them with various devices, such as CPAP/BiPAP, use of home oxygen, etc.
• Assist with discharge planning of any patient identified to have a need for home respiratory care services.
• Completes daily encounter information related to capturing daily workloads.
• Prepares departmental requisitions, charges and other paperwork that pertains to the department.
• Prepare, maintain, calibrate, troubleshoot, and perform quality control as well as quality improvement tracking of blood gas analysis.
• Perform and accepts other duties as assigned.
• Provides assistance in developing, implementing, evaluating and education regarding Patient Driven Protocols.
• Updates and maintains policy and procedures manual. Maintain ABG records according to CAP requirements.
• Participates in Quality Assurance programs for the Cardiopulmonary/Neurology Services as directed by Chief of Cardiopulmonary (CPL) or supervisor.
• Completes assigned and delegated responsibilities within established time frames.

Work Schedule: Intermittent, variable tour of duty, up to 36 hours a week.

Compressed/Flexible: Not Available

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Not Virtual

Functional Statement #: 61543A, 61544A, 61545A, 61546A

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized