Respiratory Therapist Assistant - Adult

Respiratory Therapist Assistant

At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.

Pursue your passion for caring with Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, which is consistently ranked among the best in the United States. The largest of the four Duke Health hospitals with 1062 patient beds, it features comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a regional emergency/trauma center, an endo-surgery center, and more.

Job Description

Perform diagnostic and therapeutic clinical procedures as defined in the Respiratory Care Services scope of clinical practice. Work performed in accordance with physician orders and under supervision of a Registered Respiratory Therapist.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Verify physician orders for appropriateness and accuracy.
• Understand pharmacological indications, dosages, and response to adverse drug reactions.
• Consults with providers based on patient care assessments and in accordance with accepted protocols. Provides education for patients, families, physicians, nursing, and other members of the health care team.
• Monitors response to all therapy. Documents in the patient medical record. Communicates all pertinent clinical information during patient rounds and handoff.
• Perform diagnostic cardiopulmonary procedures; inclusive of nasotracheal and artificial airway suctioning and samples, arterial blood gas punctures, pulse oximetry and EtCO2 monitoring, pulmonary function and bedside pulmonary mechanics, and EKGs.
• Recognizes life threatening situations and initiates appropriate response, perform CPR and bag- mask ventilation.
• Assure correct set-up, safety, and function of all equipment/ supplies necessary in the provision of patient care.
• Assure adherence to all infectious disease standards in the delivery of all patient care procedures.
• Participates in quality improvement activities.
• Maintains all necessary safety and life support certifications per required.
• Can provide the following therapy:
• Oxygen Supply Systems Equipment Processing
• Manual Resuscitation
• Oxygen administration
• Humidity and Aerosol Therapy
• Small Volume Nebulizer
• MDI Administration
• Incentive Spirometry
• Airway Clearance Therapy
• Arterial Uncture
• ECG (if performed by hiring institute)
• Patient reporting

Required Qualifications at this Level

Education

Active enrollment in a 2-year approved respiratory care program (associate's degree or the equivalent) and is in good standing. Completion of the first semester of the respiratory care program.

Experience

None required beyond clinical affiliation of the respiratory program.

Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification

The student RCP must register with the Board before providing Respiratory Care procedures as a Respiratory Care Assistant and will receive an approval letter from the Board. The student RCP will provide a copy of the approval letter to the employer. Certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) and any other certifications applicable to the institution.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge necessary to make appropriate clinical decisions and interactions relative to the specific age of a patient. Skills validation/certifications of competencies for the duties and responsibilities of this level. Must maintain annual skill requirements. Must maintain annual safety/compliance requirements. Must maintain North Carolina annual license requirements for CEU's. Customer service and communication expertise. Work involves contact with patients of all ages, family members, physicians, nursing, and all other members of the health care team. Work is performed in all areas of Duke University Health System, at applicable hiring location. Work may require lifting or pushing in excess of 30 pounds. Work requires walking, climbing, and bending.