Registered Respiratory Therapist

Registered Respiratory Therapist

Major Duties of the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) include but are not limited to:

• Serves as a respiratory therapist in the intensive care units and all wards and clinic areas with responsibility for independently administering complex respiratory therapy treatment to critically ill patients.
• Sets up and monitors a variety of complex respiratory equipment such as volume ventilators for critical care patients. Based on patient assessment and analysis of blood gas data, adjusts ventilator settings in order to change the patient's ventilator status. Applies advanced ventilator techniques such as positive and expiratory pressure (PEEP), intermittent mandatory ventilator (IMV), and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), BIPAP and microprocessor ventilators.
• Performs weaning parameters and monitors patients closely to avoid incidents and to alter the plan as necessary.
• Initially and continuously assesses the cardiopulmonary condition of assigned patients using data acquired through physical examination and respiratory monitoring and diagnostic equipment.
• Determines the effectiveness and/or need for change in the therapy being administered.
• Monitors and interprets values such as pulmonary artery pressures, pulmonary capillary wedge pressures, mixed venous oxygen content, and cardiac output for the purpose of reporting patient status and making recommendations to physicians regarding treatment.
• Performs airway and tube care on intensive care patients including cleaning and securing the tracheostomy and endotracheal tube and site, changing endotracheal and tracheostomy tubes as needed, monitoring tube cuff pressure and inspecting equipment and patient to insure proper functioning of the ventilator.
• As a member of the CODE 4 Team in cases of cardiac arrest, initiates artificial ventilation using either mouth-to-mouth techniques or manual ventilation bag to restore patient's heartbeat and maintain ventilation. During transport of patients within or outside to hospital, maintains ventilation, monitors vital signs, and performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation when necessary.
• Provides in-service training to other respiratory therapists and nursing personnel relative to the types of treatments given, various types of medications used, and the set up and operation of respiratory equipment including the necessary cleaning and safety precautions. Presents demonstrations and subsequently observes personnel during performance to correct faulty techniques and answer questions.
• Calibrates complex respiratory equipment such as volume ventilators, and co-oximeters to assure accurate performance.
• Identifies and corrects mechanical malfunction of equipment used in the respiratory therapy service.
• Performs emergency repair of ventilators used in the intensive care unit.
• Records treatment, findings, and progress pertinent to patient care.
• Assigns respiratory therapy technicians according to their level of competence and experience. He/she may find it advisable in his/her judgment to change technicians from one assignment to another during a shift because of changing work conditions.
• Some changes in methods and procedures that the therapist may propose will affect other services, i.e., Medical, Surgery, Nursing, etc. When this situation occurs, he/she participates in joint conferences, to solve the problem and coordinate efforts.
• Knowledge of anatomy and physiology including an in-depth understanding of the structure and function of the lungs and bronchi as related to gas exchange and ventilation, to administer special ventilatory techniques such as positive and expiatory pressure and intermittent mandatory ventilation.
• Interpret the results of blood gas studies and adjustment of ventilator settings.
• Assist physician with intubation and remove endotracheal tubes.
• Assess patient's respiratory status and evaluate the effectiveness of therapy.

Education

• Instructs patients and their families explaining the operation and use of respiratory equipment including treatment procedures and providing reassurance and comfort. Generally, the patients are acutely ill and under considerable stress requiring the therapist to be tactful in establishing and maintaining communication.
• Contact physicians, nurses, and other respiratory therapists for resolving complications in patient care, coordinating action during emergency situations, tube changes and transports, resolving problems associated with equipment failure, and providing clinical instructions and demonstrations in respiratory therapy procedures and techniques.
• Provide in-services to physicians and nurses on new equipment and/or procedures.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Full Time

Telework: Not Eligible

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 00087F

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized