Respiratory Therapist

Respiratory Therapist

The respiratory therapist will perform specific duties and responsibilities as outlined. Under medical supervision, the individual must be able to adapt to the particular area of assignment and be able to perform accordingly.

Essential Functions

• Delivers Quality Care
  • By integrating the elements of examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis and intervention to optimize outcomes.
  • By optimizing patient independence.
  • By administering inhalants and aerosolized medications, performing bronchial hygiene, operating mechanical ventilators, delivering therapeutic gas administration, and by performing hyperinflation modalities per established respiratory protocols.
  • Perform cardiopulmonary and hemological diagnostic studies.
• Promotes Safe and Clean Working Environment
  • By complying with policies and procedures, rules and regulations governing environment of care and patient safety.
• Determines and/or Facilitates Discharge/Discontinuation of Services
  • By analyzing achievement of anticipated goals and expected outcomes, planning discharge/discontinuation and providing appropriate home instruction, follow-up or referral.
• Records Patient Services
  • By documenting, dating and authenticating respiratory therapy examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, intervention and outcomes in accordance with facility and regulatory guidelines.
  • By billing for specific interventions provided.
• Develops and Enhances Professional Knowledge and Skills
  • By participating in continuing education to maintain licensure, reviewing professional publications and providing learning experiences for professional development.
• Contributes to Team Effort
  • By embracing change to achieve common goals, demonstrating willingness to provide service at other sites as necessary, investigating opportunities for new lines of services, contributing to the development of peers and promoting a positive work environment and by accomplishing related results as needed.
• Complies with Federal, State and Local Legal and Professional Requirements
  • By understanding and adhering to current standards of practice for respiratory therapy, guide for professional conduct including the code of ethics and practice guidelines established by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
  • By providing appropriate supervision to other healthcare professionals and coworkers.
• Ensures Operation of Equipment
  • By completing preventive maintenance requirements following manufacturer's instructions, troubleshooting malfunctions, calling for repairs.
• Protects Patient Information and Confidentiality
  • By securing all information in confidential space, following facility confidentiality policy.
• Contributes to PI Team Efforts
  • By assisting the Clinical Resource Specialist with data collection, monitoring, analyzing and reporting.

Qualifications

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  • Education
    • Graduate of a respiratory care program approved by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care and/or a passing grade on the National Board for Respiratory Care entry level credentialing examination.
    • Bachelor's Degree in Respiratory Therapy preferred
  • Work Experience
    • 1-2 years of experience required
    • Clinical experience in all areas of respiratory care is preferred
  • Licenses / Certifications
    • Registered or Certified Respiratory Therapy license required
    • BLS/CPR for a healthcare provider, per the American Heart Association required
      • For those working at the Specialty (LTACH) and Rehabilitation Hospital - Must obtain ACLS certification within six (6) months of employment. Certification must be maintained throughout employment
      • For those working in the Pediatric Hospital - Must obtain PALS certification within six (6) months of employment. Certification must be maintained throughout employment