Resp Therapist I

Registered Respiratory Therapist I

The Registered Respiratory Therapist I (RT-I) is an individual that is licensed by the NYS Department of Education to perform respiratory therapy procedures, cardio-respiratory diagnostics, and patient assessment under the direction of a licensed physician. RT-I's are capable to assess, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders. Assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care modalities, including the supervision of respiratory therapy technicians. Initiate and conduct therapeutic procedures; maintain patient records; and select, assemble, check, and operate equipment. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily as outlined in the annual competency assessment as well as possess an active NYS License to practice Respiratory Care as a Registered Respiratory Therapist.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Understands the hospital strategic plan within scope of Respiratory Therapist (RT-I) expectation and role.
• Responsible to interpret and follow physicians' orders.
• Ability to triage workload and complete accordingly.
• Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• Representative of Cardio-Respiratory Services in support of the ideals and principles of the department and organizational culture.
• Exemplifies Albany Med CARES guiding principles.
• Assists, as needed, the onboarding of new staff, conducting department orientation.
• Understands and promotes patient and employee safety as our number one priority.
• Promotes a safe environment for patients and staff.
• Understands the Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goals as it pertains to the Respiratory Therapist (RT-I) role.

Qualifications

• Associate's Degree of an AMA-approved program of Respiratory Care - required
• 1-3 years as an RRT in an academic medical center environment - required
• 1-3 years with patient transport (both inter- and intra-hospital) - required
• 1-3 years with emergency department procedures - preferred
• 1-3 years of exposure to the management of neonatal patients - preferred
• 1-3 years of pediatric and adult critical care experience - preferred
• Ability to read documents such as physician orders and progress notes.
• Ability to communicate cooperatively and effectively with customers and others (including children).
• Must possess computer skills that allow for skillful navigation of the electronic medical record.
• Ability to apply basic math skills of adding, subtracting, multiplication, and division.
• Simple algebraic skills necessary in many calculations.
• Ability to add fractions and decimals (medication dosing).
• Ability to perform the job in adherence to the highest standards of ethical conduct as defined by AMC's Code of Conduct and the AARC's Code of Ethics.
• The individual must invoke confidence in customers by always maintaining professional dress and demeanor.
• The individual is accountable for his/her own performance.
• Understanding to carry out instructions (i.e., orders) furnished in written form.
• Ability to troubleshoot unclear or contradictory physician orders and to conduct dialogue with said physician(s) or other health care provider.
• Able to prioritize emergent vs. non-emergent requests for service.
• RRT - Registered Respiratory Therapist Upon Hire - required
• BCLS - Basic Life Support Upon Hire - required
• ACLS Upon Hire - preferred

Physical Demands

• Standing - Constantly
• Walking - Constantly
• Sitting - Rarely
• Lifting - Frequently
• Carrying - Frequently
• Pushing - Occasionally
• Pulling - Occasionally
• Climbing - Occasionally
• Balancing - Occasionally
• Stooping - Frequently
• Kneeling - Frequently
• Crouching - Frequently
• Crawling - Occasionally
• Reaching - Frequently
• Handling - Frequently
• Grasping - Frequently
• Feeling - Constantly
• Talking - Constantly
• Hearing - Constantly
• Repetitive Motions - Constantly
• Eye/Hand/Foot Coordination - Constantly

Working Conditions

• Extreme cold - Rarely
• Extreme heat - Rarely
• Humidity - Rarely
• Wet - Rarely
• Noise - Constantly
• Hazards - Frequently
• Temperature Change - Rarely
• Atmospheric Conditions - Rarely
• Vibration - Rarely

Thank you for your interest in Albany Medical Center! Albany Medical Center is an equal opportunity employer.

This role may require access to information considered sensitive to Albany Medical Center, its patients, affiliates, and partners, including but not limited to HIPAA Protected Health Information and other information regulated by Federal and New York State statutes. Workforce members are expected to ensure that:

Access to information is based on a "need to know" and is the minimum necessary to properly perform assigned duties. Use or disclosure shall not exceed the minimum amount of information needed to accomplish an intended purpose. Reasonable efforts, consistent with Albany Medical Center policies and standards, shall be made to ensure that information is adequately protected from unauthorized access and modification.