Respiratory Therapist

Respiratory Therapist

Provide respiratory care procedures per hospital policy.

Job Duties

• Demonstrates the ability to assess, plan, implement and evaluate continuum of care
• Maintains the dignity/confidentiality of the patient, serves as a patient advocate
• Verifies the identification of patient using two identifiers
• Verifies physician order before performing therapy, reviews pertinent clinical data
• Explain procedure to patients in a clear and concise manner without causing unnecessary anxiety
• Select, assemble, check for proper function and operation, use and troubleshoot equipment.
• Ensures all infection control policies and procedures are always adhered to
• Administers prescribed therapy (oxygen therapy, medication administration, ventilator management, Non invasive therapy) in accordance with department policy and procedure
• Documents in the medical record: patient assessment, patient education, therapy provided, ventilator, Non-invasive flow sheet, and EMR
• Initiates, monitors, evaluates and manages care for mechanically ventilated patients according to department protocols
• Maintains a patent airway including intubation and provides ventilation and chest compressions during CPR
• Performs arterial puncture to obtain samples for blood gas analysis. Accesion and release results in Osimer
• Performs diagnostic related testing such as sputum induction, forced vital capacity, peak flow measurements, bedside PFT and pulse oximetry, 6 minute walk.
• Performs CAP testing as required TJC (The Joint Commission) on ABG analyzers
• Processes respiratory equipment for cleaning and disinfection/ sterilization
• Secure, maintain and care for patients with artificial airways
• Access patient's skin integrity and document in EMR and report finding to Wound Care.
• Administration of medications as ordered within +/- 1 hour time period of scheduled frequency
• Initiates new start orders within the time frame for the specified frequency
• Ventilator Non-Invasive therapy flow sheet and EMR charting to be performed twice per shift and any changes that were made.
• Critical values to be reported within 15 minutes of obtaining ABG results (document critical values reported – Date, Time, Person reported to and RT initials.
• Performs EKG as needed
• Performs other duties as assigned and necessary.

Qualifications and Skills

• Strong customer service and communication skills, both verbal and written.

Education, Experience and Certification/Licensure Requirements

• Graduate of an approved school for Respiratory Care. (Program must be accredited by CoARC-Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care).
• Pass the NBRC ( National board for Respiratory Care) Exam Current NJ State License
• BLS certification required, ACLS, PALS & NRP approved by AHA preferred