CERTIFIED RESPIRATORY THERAPIST

Description

Certified Respiratory Therapists (CRT) are skilled professionals who provide therapeutic and diagnostic procedures to patients on physician order. The incumbent must be academically prepared and skill level competent to assess patient respiratory status, recommend appropriate therapy and communicate effectively with nurses, and physicians independently throughout the scheduled shift.

Actively promotes a Lean work culture by performing team member duties to encourage consistent use of LEAN principles and processes, including continually seeking work process improvements. Recognizes the necessity of taking ownership of one’s own motivation, morale, performance and professional development. Strives for behavior consistent with being committed to Independence’s missions, vision and values.

Responsibilities

1. Regular, consistent, on-site, and timely attendance.
2. Performance of Technical Practice
   • Provides highly technical Respiratory Care procedures in any environment following unit specific orientation.
   • Initiates and maintains ventilator management for patient on life support except at Westmoreland Manor.
   • Performs arterial puncture and blood gas analysis.
   • Provides cardiopulmonary resuscitation for all age groups served.
   • Maintains and monitors the function of all Respiratory Care equipment in use.
   • Acts as a resource to other health care providers regarding clinical issues.
3. Patient Care
   • Assesses patients for required respiratory care services. Reassesses daily or as often as necessary.
   • Administers inhaled medications, monitors patient reaction to medication, reports response and/or adverse reaction to nurse and physician.
   • Provides patient and family or caregiver with education related to disease process or dysfunction, therapy ordered, medication, dosage, methods and equipment use and functions.
   • Participates in interdisciplinary care‑planning process as required by various nursing or patient care units, and in discharge planning process as needed.
4. Clinical decision‑Making
   • Assimilates large quantities of data while caring for critically ill patients.
   • Modifies and directs respiratory care procedures and diagnostics, based on acquired data and patient clinical findings.
   • Assists with the coordination of patient care relating to cardiopulmonary dysfunction, in cooperation with the physician, nurse, and other health care providers.
5. Policy and Procedure
   • Understands department policy and procedure to assure compliance with same.
   • Avoids deviation from policy and/or procedure preventing the potential for adverse effect either on an employee, patient or visitor.
   • Reviews departmental policy and procedure on an annual basis and makes recommendations for appropriate changes.
6. Communication
   • Provides clear, concise, organized written and oral communication to management and staff.
   • Interacts effectively with physicians, patients, management and co‑workers.
   • Documents in a neat, timely and legible fashion as appropriate.
   • Documents in EMR per department guidelines.
   • Serves as a liaison and positive role model to other departments.
   • Communicates directly with physician regarding patient respiratory status, recommendations for therapy, and diagnostic testing.
   • Takes and transcribes verbal and telephone orders from physicians.
7. Information Processing
   • Transcribes and carries out orders correctly.
   • Utilizes all applicable information systems appropriately.
   • Charges equipment, supplies and services accurately.
8. Quality Assessment and Improvement
   • Demonstrates ongoing awareness and participation in quality improvement program.
   • Responds with improved performance to results obtained from QA monitors.
   • Identifies problems and reports to manager when appropriate.
9. Locates and uses reference manuals
   • Maintains a working knowledge of department and system policy and procedure.
   • Locates and uses department and system protocols, procedures, and policy manuals such as infection control, MSDS, OSHA, and online policy manuals.
10. Performs specialized procedures, tasks, and functions. These may vary between entities and not all RCPs will perform these functions. Specialized orientation/training will be provided to RCPs performing the following tasks.
    • Performs therapeutic and diagnostic bronchoscopy procedures.
    • Completes blood gas and electrolyte analysis.
    • Performs all required diagnostic pulmonary function testing.
    • Completes pulmonary stress and metabolic testing.
    • Functions as a member of the Rapid Response team.
    • Participates as an integral member of emergency resuscitation teams serving all age groups.
    • Performs EKGs.
    • Performs Intravenous Catheter Insertion and Phlebotomy on Patients.
11. Graduate of JRCRTE approved respiratory care program with minimum of 3‑6 months of clinical rotations.
12. Ability to perform the Essential Functions listed on the Physical Conditions and ability to perform the Essential Functions on the Working Condition chart (see attached chart).

Equal Opportunity Employer

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