Registered Respiratory Therapist

Job Title

Respiratory Therapist

Duties

Major duties include but are not limited to:

• Independently administers a variety of complex treatments and tests to both ambulatory and non-ambulatory patients in all areas of the Medical Center as required.
• During emergency situations, the RT serves as a member of the Code Blue team in response to Cardiac and/or Respiratory arrests and is responsible independently inserting artificial airways into patient's trachea to provide controlled breathing consistent with the VA NJHCS NORAM - Non-Operating Room Airway Management policy.
• Setup and monitors a variety of complex respiratory equipment such as volume or pressure ventilators for critical care patients.
• Based on patient assessment and analysis of arterial blood gas data, independently adjusts ventilator settings in order to change the patient's ventilation status.
• Initially and continuously assesses the cardiopulmonary condition of assigned patients using data acquired through physical examination, respiratory monitoring, and diagnostic equipment.
• Performs airway and endo-tracheal intubation and tube care on patients with artificial airways, including cleaning and securing the trach and endotracheal tube site, in-line suctioning, monitoring tube cuff pressure and inspecting equipment and patient to ensure proper function.
• Operates suction catheters attached to vacuum to remove secretions from patients' airways.
• Places nasal and oropharyngeal airways and performing nasal and tracheal suctioning.
• Perform chest physiotherapy using mechanical equipment or manual techniques.
• Sets up and monitors oxygen delivery devices such as cannulas, masks, t-adaptors, face tents, humidifiers and aerosols containing prescribed medication to patients using standard respiratory equipment.
• Demonstrates competency for obtaining arterial blood gas samples from patients using ABG kit, heparinized needle with syringe, and from Arterial Line.
• During transport of patients with artificial airways, maintain the patient's airway, ensure ventilation, monitor respiration and oxygen saturation, and perform manual ventilations or cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, when necessary, as per AHA guidelines.
• Perform patient clinical assessment, equipment setup, education and troubleshooting in areas of bronchial hygiene and lung expansion, home oxygen use, airway care, CPAP and Bi-Level machine and related equipment use, and COPD case management in the outpatient setting.
• Documents treatments, pre and post Tx. assessment and results of various checks, tests, procedures, and education pertinent to patient care in CPRS, BCMA. Completes patient care as ordered in Respiratory Consult and closes consults.
• Assists in implementing solutions to technical and clinical work problems not covered by precedent or established procedures.
• Participates in developing guidelines and protocols, new patient programs and evaluation of existing programs, lead projects developing new policies, works on the Root Cause Analysis team to determine best practices for our medical center.
• Assembles, checks, and corrects malfunctions and performs quality controls on respiratory therapy equipment and technology-based equipment.
• Performing Bedside spirometry for inpatient and Pulmonary Function tests for inpatients and Outpatient when trained and deemed competent.
• May assist with the equipment set-up and bronchoscopy procedure.

Work Schedule : Intermittent, hours are varied and will be discussed based on needs of the facility.

Compressed/Flexible : Not available.

Telework : Not available.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement # : 14261F