Respiratory Therapist PRN Pulmonary Diagnostic Services at University of Maryland Medical System in Baltimore, Maryland

Respiratory Therapist

Under general supervision, perform a variety of routine technical procedures in the evaluation and treatment of individuals with cardiopulmonary functions threatened or impaired by developmental defects, the aging process, physical injury, or disease by administering respiratory care techniques. Fulfillment of the job duties requires the employee to have access to medication storage areas.

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.

1. Performs a variety of respiratory care treatments to a specific patient population (adult, pediatric, or neonatal).
2. Explains treatments to patient and/or family before performing.
3. Observes and monitors physical signs and symptoms, general behavior, general physical response to respiratory care procedures. Collaborates with physician regarding therapeutic treatment plans to determine whether initiation, modification, or discontinuation of the treatment regimen is warranted.
4. Terminates patient treatment upon notice of patient discomfort, troubled medical status, or inability to accept treatment.
5. Participates in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) procedures, including, airway management, manual ventilation, and cardiac compressions as needed.
6. Administers therapeutic and diagnostic gases (exclusive of general anesthesia), bronchodilator treatments, and chest physiotherapy, aerosolized medication treatments in accordance with departmental procedures, as directed by a physician. Delivers oxygen and humidified air through a variety of devises to reverse and prevent tissue hypoxia, treat arterial hypoxemia, decrease the work of breathing and decrease myocardial work.
7. Assists the physician with non-surgical insertion, maintenance and removal of artificial airways, as requested.
8. Suctions artificial, and nasal/oral airways by using a sterile disposable catheter which is inserted into the airway.
9. Performs age-specific version of respiratory techniques when working with adult/pediatric/neonatal population.
10. In critical care areas, administers mechanical ventilation and Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) to critical care patients, adjusts ventilation and CPAP under the direct supervision of a physician or an ICU qualified Respiratory Care Practitioner, (if not ICU rated).
11. Evaluates the effectiveness of mechanical ventilation and other therapeutic interventions in the critically ill patient by interpreting chest x-rays, and blood gas results. Monitors patient appearance, respiration rate and oxygen saturation, and notifying doctor as required.
12. Operates, calibrates and maintains ventilators (life support systems), pulse oximeters, nebulizers, Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI), oxygen and humidity equipment as directed by the physician in accordance with departmental procedures and standard operating procedures.
13. Ensures correct ventilator alarms and settings.
14. Makes an adjustment to ventilator parameters and settings, as necessary, in accordance with patient's response and overall condition of the patient.
15. Applies cleaning/sterile techniques or ensures decontamination of equipment essential for optimal operation of the respiratory therapy equipment. Follows protocols and guidelines regarding the disinfecting of equipment.
16. Initiates and performs maintenance rounds on all types of oxygen and humidity equipment used through the hospital.
17. Insures that all equipment in need of service is labeled appropriately and sent for repair to biomedical engineering, in accordance with departmental procedures.
18. Documents and reports information on activities related to patient care in accordance with departmental procedures.
19. Collects data, such as, Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) readings, Electrocardiogram (ECG), Hemodynamics, laboratory values and patient history to fully understand reason for adjusting patient's life support equipment.
20. Performs preliminary interpretation of arterial blood gas results and relates information to attending physician.
21. Records quality improvement information such as inappropriate ventilator change, incident sheets, and equipment failures. Reports to the appropriate manager or Risk Manager.
22. Notifies physician of any problems requiring immediate attention, such as, abnormal blood results.
23. Demonstrates knowledge and skills to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on the assigned unit. Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possesses the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's requirements relative to his or her age-specific needs, and provides the care needed as described in the unit/area/department policies and procedures.

General knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system, biology, microbiology, technical mathematics, and pharmacology are required. Knowledge of medical terminology, and moderate level of proficiency in operation of equipment, such as, various types of ventilators, nebulizers, aerosol masks, nasal cannulas, mist tents, oxyhoods and other oxygen delivery devices.

Ability to draw and evaluate arterial blood gases.

Ability to determine quality of patient performance, judge degree of patient discomfort or failing medical status, and the inability of patient to perform during treatment process.

Ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the patient population(s) served. Ability to demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and ability to assess data reflective of the patient's requirements relative to his or her population-specific and age specific needs.

Effective verbal and written communication skills are necessary in communicating with patients, doctors, other respiratory staff and nursing staff throughout the medical system, and in maintaining accurate and complete documentation of testing procedures.

Takes action to correct observed risks to patient safety.

Reports adverse events and near misses to appropriate management authority.

Identifies possible risks in processes, procedures, devices and communicates the same to those in charge.

Certificate from an AMA approved program by the National Board of Respiratory Care in Respiratory Therapy is required.

Certification by the National Board of Respiratory Care as a Respiratory Technician is required.

Licensure as a Respiratory Care practitioner by the Maryland Board of Physician Quality Assurance is required.

CPR certification is required.

Six (6) months to one (1) year performing didactic and clinical Respiratory care procedures is preferred.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Work Schedule: Day Shift

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