Registered Respiratory Therapist

Respiratory Care Professional

Responsible for performing routine Respiratory Care procedures, mechanical ventilators, treatments and patient assessments as ordered by the physicians for management of patients receiving Respiratory Care. This will include routine care of newborn, pediatric and adult patients. Employee is subject to call back and overtime as required by the hospital.

Essential Job Functions:

• Responds to patient emergencies and CPR and performs airway management.
• Monitors patients receiving mechanical ventilation, evaluates response and forwards recommendations for changes to physician. Makes changes accordingly.
• Administers medical gas therapy.
• Performs routine and some special procedures, such as intubations, arterial puncture, blood gas analysis, EKG's and holter monitors.
• Assists with patient transports to another facility when ordered by physician.
• Performs patient assessments and makes recommendations for Respiratory Therapy and care plan to meet department goals.
• Forwards recommendations to committees.
• Documents patient treatments and procedures in patient charts, completes all Departmental records and log books.
• Assists with the clinical education of students as needed.
• Performs equipment cleaning and sterilization.
• Maintains supplies in assigned areas.
• Performs ventilator set up and testing.
• Performs calibration of PFT machine, performs PFT's and peak flow measurements.
• Ability to calibrate, trouble shoot and operate AVL-995 blood gas analyzer.
• Actively participates in the department's Performance Improvement activities.
• Participation in Quality Action and Quality Improvement teams as assigned.
• Participates in Discharge Planning Committee meetings as assigned.
• Ability to manage orders received for department services and to enter departmental charges for services performed.

Job Specifications:

Education:

• Associates or Bachelor's Degree in Respiratory Therapy.

Licensure, Registration, Certification:

• Certified in basic Cardiac Life Support by AHA or the equivalent.
• Graduate from an AMA school, Certified or Registered by NBRC, certified in BCLS through AHA.
• BCLS instructor certification, ACLS certification and PALS certification is strongly advised and is reflected in employee performance evaluation.
• Tennessee state license with ABG certification or an Active Tennessee state work permit. If utilizing an Active Tennessee state work permit, applicant must obtain license within 6 months.

Experience:

• Proficiency in current practices and techniques of Respiratory Care and the knowledge of departmental and hospital policies and procedures a required through orientation and completion of departmental skills checklist.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Skill and proficiency training in the principles, concepts, and techniques of the respiratory Care profession for providing care for adult, geriatric, adolescent, pediatric, and newborn patients.

Nondiscrimination Notice Statement: We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, disability, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, sexual orientation, age, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

West Tennessee Healthcare