Respiratory Therapist

Respiratory TherapistWe are currently seeking a Respiratory Therapist to join our Respiratory Care Team. This position is part-time with benefits, 72 hours per pay period, night shift and every third weekend, 12-hour shifts. The licensed Respiratory Therapist (RT) practices in collaboration with the healthcare team to provide respiratory care to patients. RTs maintain population specific competence to care for the neonate through geriatric patient. The RT demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide individualized care based on the physical, cultural, educational, and age-specific needs of the patient. The RT complies with all rules and standards of regulatory and accrediting bodies.Responsibilities include:Responding to cardiopulmonary emergencies and assisting in establishing/maintaining a patent airway including care for the potential effects of an artificial airwayProviding manual ventilation and airway management during transports under the direction of a physicianProviding mechanical ventilatory support and monitoring in the intensive care unitsInitiating, monitoring and making recommendations regarding respiratory care proceduresRecording actions and observations on patient care delivery in the EHROperating and maintaining all respiratory care equipmentPerforming diagnostic procedures such as apnea testing, spirometry, and sputum inductionMonitoring and documenting staff performanceAssisting with staff orientation and competency developmentInstructing, monitoring, and providing feedback to studentsIncorporating safety, infection control and quality improvement guidelines into the environment of careResponsible for the safe and effective administration of medically prescribed medications, knowing their indications and contraindicationsKnowing and following the indications and contraindications for administering therapeutic modalitiesMonitoring and troubleshooting oxygen administration as requestedEnsuring the proper and safe use of medical gas cylinders (oxygen, heliox, nitric oxide)Performing bedside PFT testing. May perform testing in PFT lab following adequate training and/or orientationPerforming arterial punctures using radial and brachial sitesBeing a member of the "code team" responding to arrest situationsAs part of the team may be expected to perform CPR (compression)Must be certified in CPR procedures bi-annuallyResponding to Rapid Response Team callsResponsible for the set up, safety check, monitoring, adjustments to, and troubleshooting of mechanical ventilatorsResponsible for the set up and administration of CPAP and non-invasive ventilationReporting patient progress, and anticipated changes in patient care to the next shiftProper documentation in department recordsParticipating in staff meetings, attending lectures, conferences and seminarsAssisting with bedside bronchoscopies in ventilated/non-ventilated patients