Registered Respiratory Therapist

Registered Respiratory Therapist

The Registered Respiratory Therapist is responsible for independently administering complex respiratory therapy treatment to ambulatory and non-ambulatory patients. The respiratory therapist uses judgment in identifying and selecting the most appropriate procedures, equipment, and techniques for application to specific cases. The therapist identifies and analyzes factors related to equipment operation and patient responses to discern their interrelationship. Major duties include but are not limited to:

• Consult literature on a regular basis to stay acquainted with alternative modes of therapy and keep technically up to date.
• Cleans, sets up, and monitors a variety of complex respiratory equipment such as oxygen equipment, mechanical ventilators, CPAP/BIPAP machine, and therapeutic gas administration apparatus for critical care patients.
• Follows all respiratory care Sputum Collection for Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB), Rapid Response Team (RRT), and ventilator wearing protocols to include Bronchodilator Therapy Protocol and Oxygen Protocols.
• Performs diagnostic tests to include arterial blood gas analysis, spirometry, pulse oximetry, weaning parameters, peak flow, end tidal CO2, metabolic, and negative inspiratory force.
• Performs or assists with bedside bronchoscopies to include right BALs as ordered by a pulmonary physician.
• Performs all respiratory care procedures throughout the medical center, to include sputum collection for AFB, therapeutic aerosols, metered dose inhalers, oxygen therapy, chest physical therapy, and breathing exercises.
• Evaluates efficacies of therapeutic modalities.
• Initially and continuously assess the cardiopulmonary condition of assigned patients using data acquired through physical examination and respiratory monitoring and diagnostic equipment.
• Administers oxygen involving the use of variety of standard respiratory equipment to include low flow and high flow systems.
• Performs airway and tube care on patients including nasotracheal and endotracheal suctioning, cleaning and securing the tracheostomy and endotracheal tube and site, changing endotracheal and tracheostomy tubes per physician's order, monitoring tube cuff pressure, and inspecting equipment and patient to ensure proper functioning of the ventilator.
• Provides patient education for inpatients, outpatients, and home care pulmonary rehabilitation to include such things as respiratory therapy equipment, Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COPD), chest physiotherapy and/or postural drainage, breathing exercise, metered dose inhaler treatments, nebulizer treatments, suctioning, peak flows, arterial blood gases, oxygen therapy, and other mucus clearing clearance devices such as PEP therapy and Flutter valves, etc.
• Performs advanced ventilatory management.
• Maintains ACLS and BLS provider status with appropriate certifications.
• Obtains blood gas samples from patients through arterial punctures or from arterial catheters. Analyzes, interprets, and reports blood gas results.
• Provides in-service training to other respiratory therapists, nursing service personnel, physicians, and students relative to respiratory care.
• Demonstrates appropriate verbal and written communication skills in interaction with patients, staff, and visitors.
• Communicates with Supervisor (or Shift Leader in Supervisor's absence) any changes or fluctuations in assignments.
• Inspects, cleans, tests, and properly calibrates respiratory therapy equipment, according to policy and procedure, to ensure equipment functioning safely and efficiently, placing work orders for repairs when necessary.
• Records treatment, findings, assessments, and patient education and progress notes in CPRS and CliniComp.
• Assists with smoking cessation, home oxygen or ventilator assessment/visits, patient transports, and continued quality improvement.
• Actively participates in multidisciplinary team meetings to include team meetings in MICU/SICU, and physician rounds in the intensive care units.
• Works as part of the team of physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals to manage patient care.
• Attends all mandatory training in-services as directed by the supervisor or Medical Center.
• Serves as shift leader in the absence of the supervisor.
• Provides coverage, as needed in outpatient clinics (PFT, CPAP HST)
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: 3:30 pm - 12:00 am, 11:30 pm - 8:00 am, rotating

Functional Statement #: 21R77-A