RESPIRATORY THERAPIST (FULL-TIME, NIGHTS)

Job Responsibilities

Administers aerosolized drugs most frequently prescribed by physicians.

Monitors patients for adverse reactions, recognizes them, responds accordingly, including assisting the patient, stopping therapy and notifying nursing or the physician if necessary.

Appropriately documents in the computer and patient charts.

Performs oxygen rounds, emergency rounds as scheduled, noting accurately the operation and function of equipment and makes changes as necessary to maintain proper equipment function.

Responds to all Code Blue and Rapid Response situations. Provides airway management, emergency ventilator care and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Sets up and adjusts continuous mechanical ventilation; making frequent checks of equipment and patient to maintain proper ventilator function.

Performs a variety of procedures including but not limited to, IPPB, humidity, aerosol therapy with and without medication, postural drainage, percussion and incentive spirometry.

Provides appropriate education for customers, including but not limited to, patients, families, physicians, and community members. This may include certain forms of education such as teaching the patient and their family various techniques and exercises as well as various aspects of rehabilitation and to help the patient home care better care for himself at home.

Maintains diagnostic testing laboratories. In Blood Gas Laboratory, is responsible for the following CLIA standards for a Moderately Complex Lab which include:

• Performs only those moderately complex tests that are authorized by the Laboratory Manager and require a degree of skill commensurate with the individual's education, training or experience and technical abilities.
• Follows the laboratory's procedures for specimen handling and processing, test analyses, reporting and maintaining records of patient test results.
• Maintains records that demonstrate that proficiency testing samples are tested in the same manner as patient samples.
• Adheres to the laboratory's quality control policies, documents all quality control activities, instrument and procedural calibrations and maintenance performed.
• Follows the laboratory's established corrective action policy and procedures whenever test systems are not within the laboratory's established acceptable levels of performance.
• Identifies problems that may adversely affect test performance or reporting of test results and either corrects the problem or immediately notifies the technical consultant, clinical consultant or Supervisor.
• Documents all corrective actions taken when test systems deviate from the laboratory's established performance.

Implements and follows infection control processes including septic techniques and isolation procedures.

• Properly handles and cleans contaminated equipment.
• Complies with JMH policy and procedures including Blood and Body Substance Precautions.

Participates in Quality Improvement/Quality Assurance activities as determined by Johnson Memorial Health (JMH) including JMH operations improvement.

Evaluates current practice and makes appropriate suggestions to the Supervisor to improve productivity and enhance expense reduction; assists in the evaluation of new equipment; monitors the purchasing of supplies and inventory control.

Provides timely and effective communication to all customers.

Provides technical guidance for customers as it relates to procedures and operations.

Attends meetings inside and outside of JMH as designated. Participates in professional activities and continuing education to maintain professional expertise.

Clearly communicates and continuously supports the Mission and Values of JMH.

Conducts all activities in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, standards, and Johnson Memorial Health policies and procedures including Blood and Body Substance Precautions.

Performs additional duties as required which relate to the function of JMH.

Education, Experience and Training

Certified Respiratory Therapist or Registered Respiratory Therapist required. BLS or CPR for Healthcare Providers, PALS, NRP, and ACLS or ALS certification must be obtained by the end of the employee's 90-day orientation period. Experience in a hospital or Outpatient (rehab) setting, blood gas procurement and ventilator management experience preferred.

Schedule

6:00 p.m. - 6:30 a.m. 72 hours per bi-weekly pay period.