Respiratory Therapist PRN

Respiratory Care Practitioner

Administers Respiratory Therapy care and life support to patients with deficiencies and abnormalities of the cardiopulmonary system. Under the direction and supervision of a Physician and by their prescription, performing the duties of the Respiratory Therapy Department. The Respiratory Care Practitioner reports to the Respiratory Therapy Department Manager.

Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

• Reads prescription, measures arterial blood gases, and reviews patient information to assess patient condition and determine requirements for treatment such as type and duration of therapy, and medication and dosages.
• Has a demonstrated knowledge of the growth and development of specific age groups and can apply this knowledge to the assessment of these patients to determine appropriate care. Specific age groups include Neonates (birth-28 days), Infant (28 days-12 months), Toddler (one year- 3 years), Pre-School (3-5 years), School Age (5-12 years), Adolescents (13-18 years), Early Adulthood (18-29 years), Young Adulthood (30-44 years), Middle Adulthood (45-65 years), and Geriatrics (65 years and older).
• Determines the most suitable method of administering therapy, observing all precautions, and modifying if needed in order to meet the Physician's demands.
• Instructs and teaches patients where appropriate on the importance of the therapy, precautions with safety considerations, expected outcome of the therapy, and ensures patient understanding.
• Sets up and operates devices such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, and aerosol generators.
• Operates equipment to ensure specified parameters of treatment such as volume, gas concentration, humidity, and temperature, and to administer medicinal gases and aerosol drugs to patients.
• Monitors patient's physiological responses to therapy such as vital signs, arterial blood gasses, and blood chemistry changes.
• Performs bronchopulmonary drainage and assists patient in performing breathing exercises.
• Performs Pulmonary Functions Studies, EKGs, EEGs, and various physiologic tests, if trained, to be used by the Physician in the diagnosis of the case.
• Observes equipment function and adjusts equipment to obtain optimum results to therapy.
• Consults with nursing service and the Physician in the proper chain of command any adverse reactions or situations needing immediate intervention.
• Maintains patient's chart that contains pertinent identification and therapy information according to HIPPA regulations.
• Inspects and tests respiratory therapy equipment to ensure equipment is functioning safely and efficiently. Orders repairs when needed.
• Demonstrates respiratory care procedures to trainees and other health care personnel.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Job Skills and Knowledge:

• A certificate of completion from an AARC approved Respiratory Therapy Technician Program or equivalent from a two-year college or technical school.
• Six months to one-year related experience and/or training preferred.
• Minimal of National Board of Respiratory Care certification and Louisiana State Medical Examiners License to practice Respiratory Therapy.
• Current BLS certification upon hire
• Current ACLS, NRP, PALS and MOAB within 6 months of hire.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement It is the policy of Bayou Bend Health System to provide equal opportunity to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or any other regard as required by law. This policy relates to recruitment, employment, placement, layoffs and recall, promotion/demotion, discipline, transfer, termination, rates of pay and/or all other forms of compensation, training and development, use of facilities, and participation in hospital sponsored activities. Drug Testing Bayou Bend Health System is an alcohol and drug free workplace. As a condition of employment all candidates must undergo and pass a post-offer drug screen. Failure to participate in the mandatory drug screen will void all offers of employment.