Respiratory Therapist

Respiratory Therapist

The Respiratory Therapist is responsible for administering respiratory medications and providing other respiratory services and/or therapeutic treatments to hospital patients. Services and treatments could include BIPAP/CPAP; oxygen therapy; sputum collection; suctioning; airway management; inhalation therapy treatments; humidifier and mist test setup and monitoring; pulmonary function tests; pulse oximetry and others.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge & Experience

• Demonstrates ability to give and follow instructions accurately
• Demonstrates effective interpersonal skills necessary to interact with various levels of health care personnel and patients
• Demonstrates proficiency in basic computer skills

Knowledge

• Anatomy and physiology of pulmonary system
• Basic respiratory therapy therapeutic treatments and services
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support concepts and measures
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support concepts and measures

Education

• Associate or Bachelor of Science degree in respiratory therapy preferred
• Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) or Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credentials required
• Current registration as a Respiratory Care Practitioner with the state of Indiana Health Professions Bureau

Experience

• Two-five years of experience preferred
• A minimum of one year of previous clinical experience required

Authority and Accountability

• Extensive exposure to confidential information or matters
• Frequent contact with various persons or groups within and outside of the hospital including employees, department managers, physicians, patients, visitors and outside agency personnel
• Must be able to work with and communicate with different types of people

Aptitudes

• Must be able to prioritize, utilize critical thinking, and adjust to change
• Must be able to reason and use logical problem-solving skills
• Performs duties that require some latitude for independent judgment and initiative in handling situations out of the ordinary

Physical and Mental Effort

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Regular requirement to walk, stand, and sit; use hands to handle, or feel; reach with hands or arms; talk; and hear
• Frequent requirement to stoop, crouch, and kneel
• Regular requirement to lift 10-25 pounds
• Occasional requirement to lift > 25 pounds
• Specific vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus
• Speaking and listening skills are essential
• Must be able to work under a moderate amount of stress
• Must be able to read, write and do simple calculations; follow written and oral instructions

Environmental and Working Conditions

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• The noise level in this work environment is usually moderate
• Work is performed in a clean, well-lighted and ventilated building
• Could be subject to infectious diseases, cuts, abrasions, burns, and punctures
• Work schedule may vary

Accountability

• Reports to the VP of Nursing

Quality Assurance-Key Responsibilities

Administers oxygen per physician order

• Nasal cannula
• Mask
• Regular
• Non-rebreather
• Venturi
• Pediatric
• T-Tube

Sets up, maintains, and takes down mist/croup tents

Cleans, sterilizes and stores Respiratory Services equipment appropriately and in a timely fashion

Performs pulse oximetry readings

• bedside
• exercise oximetry

Performs patient suctioning appropriately

• Oral
• Nasal
• Endotracheal
• Tracheostomy

1. Performs sputum induction and specimen collection appropriately
2. Assists with airway management during emergency situations; responsible for utilizing bag-valve-mask equipment
3. Performs tracheostomy care appropriately
4. Provides chest physiotherapy appropriately
5. Provides respiratory therapy-related patient education as directed and as necessary
6. Provides medication inhalation therapy treatments appropriately and in a timely fashion; monitors patients before, during and after treatments
7. Sets up and monitors bedside humidifiers
8. Performs Pulmonary Function Testing
9. Assists with Holter Monitor testing as necessary
10. Sets up and monitors BIPAP / CPAP machine as necessary
11. Demonstrates appropriate and correct documentation in the patient medical record and in respiratory services department-related record-keeping systems
12. Performs patient tobacco use assessment on Medical/ Surgical patients; provides tobacco cessation education and assistance to patients upon request; documents efforts appropriately
13. Demonstrates knowledge of oxygen safety measures
14. Restocks respiratory services supplies and equipment on patient care units as necessary and as directed
15. Monitors oxygen "full" status on oxygen tanks on units
16. Completes charge tickets accurately
17. Demonstrates team attitude; offers assistance to co-workers to provide optimal patient care; solicits assistance from co-workers when necessary
18. Assists in orientation process for staff members to the department as patient care allows; assists in volunteer program as patient care allows
19. Serves as a change agent, assisting all staff in understanding the importance, necessity, impact, and process of change
20. Performs other duties as assigned

Public Relations

• Maintains effective channels of communication with other employees, physicians, patients and patient visitors/family
• Takes appropriate action in problem situations to offset adverse effects
• Projects a professional and positive attitude regarding the hospital

Leadership

Other Responsibilities

• Attends 70% of departmental meetings held during the year
• Attends mandatory inservice and educational offerings
• Observes hospital dress guidelines and wears ID badge
• Provides proper notification for absence and tardiness and is punctual for start of scheduled work time
• Maintains equipment assigned to department and reports malfunctions appropriately
• Participates in emergency procedures, fire drills, evacuation procedures and internal/external disaster plans and procedures in accordance with departmental responsibilities

Continuous Quality Improvement

Participates in the Continuous Quality Improvement Program (CQI) under the direction of Nursing Leadership to meet stated goals and objectives of the CQI Program by:

• Bringing potential problems to nursing leader's attention
• Assisting in data collection
• Suggesting solutions to problems
• Emphasizing, supporting and committing to CQI practices and processes
• Taking action to assure CQI within areas of responsibility