Registered Respiratory Therapist

Job Title

Respiratory Therapist

Duties

General Duties - Inpatient

• Inpatient- Aerosol therapy
• Aspects of mechanical ventilation, modes and weaning
• Intra-hospital transporting of critically ill patients being mechanically ventilated or requiring respiratory assistance
• Assists with intubation
• Extubations
• Blood procurement for blood gas analysis via arterial lines, punctures or pulmonary artery catheters
• Blood gas analysis/interpretation to make adjustments to mechanical ventilation, PAP therapy and oxygen therapy
• General maintenance of blood gas laboratory equipment and troubleshooting equipment issues/problems
• Perform CPR (BLS required and ACLS strongly encouraged) and respond to code situations and Early Response Team calls
• Airway care and management- Bronchoscopy assistance at the bedside
• Postural drainage therapy and percussion
• Conducts bedside diagnostic respiratory tests
• Participate in multi-disciplinary rounds

General Duties - Outpatient

• Performs home oxygen therapy evaluations according to departmental procedure and obtains physician's orders for patients who qualify for home oxygen therapy or renewals. Schedules appointments for annual home oxygen evaluation and renewal.
• Performs pulmonary testing procedures such as basic spirometry (FVC, MVV, flow volume loops), complete spirometry (SVC, FVC, MVV, FRC, Diffusion Capacity, lung volumes), high altitude testing, and bronchial challenge testing.
• Sets up and monitors a variety of complex respiratory therapy equipment such as PAP and nocturnal oximetry equipment. Monitors patients closely to avoid incidents and to alter the plan as necessary. Downloads modems for physicians to review for patient compliance with PAP therapy prescribed for patients. Sets up nocturnal portable sleep monitors with physician's order.
• Assists with CPAP setups and clinics.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 am -4:30 pm

Telework: Not available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

US Department of Veterans Affairs