Respiratory Therapist

The Respiratory Therapist provides skilled and non-skilled respiratory care services, including preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic, and rehabilitative services, under the written, verbal, or telecommunicated order of a physician to individuals with cardiopulmonary disorders. This role strives for superior performance by consistently providing high-quality care to patients and families, and leadership and staff that contributes to the patient and family experience.

1. Develops, implements, manages, and evaluates the multidisciplinary plan of care for patients requiring respiratory therapy services.
2. Performs resuscitation procedures, including CPR and airway management, as necessary.
3. Conducts ECGs and draws arterial blood gases.
4. Operates devices such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, and aerosol generators, following specified parameters of treatment.
5. Determines requirements for treatment, including type, method, and duration of therapy, precautions to be taken, and medication and dosages, compatible with physicians' orders.
6. Monitors patients' physiological responses to therapy, including vital signs, arterial blood gases, and blood chemistry changes, and consults with physicians if adverse reactions occur.
7. Reviews patient information to assess patient condition and works with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to manage patient care.
8. Ensures safety rules are followed and adheres to physicians' orders.
9. Maintains charts containing patients' pertinent identification and therapy information.
10. Inspects, cleans, tests, and maintains respiratory therapy equipment to ensure safe and efficient operation.
11. Educates patients and their families about their conditions and teaches disease management techniques, such as breathing exercises and the use of medications and respiratory equipment.
12. Acts as a resource person for pulmonary assistants.
13. Performs administrative duties as assigned.
14. Maintains inventory and stocks supplies in the Respiratory Services Department and elsewhere as needed.
15. Takes call on occasion when needed.
16. Performs other related duties as necessary.

1. Graduate of an approved, accredited respiratory therapist educational program and successful completion of the national credentialing exam by the National Board for Respiratory Care.
2. Licensed as a Registered Respiratory Therapist in the State of Michigan.
3. BLS for Healthcare Provider required, ACLS preferred.
4. Knowledge of cardiopulmonary diseases, including symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties, and interactions, and preventive healthcare measures.
5. Ability to perform CPR, travel between hospital areas, operate and transport equipment, communicate effectively, and use a computer.
6. Ability to assess patient condition, teach patients skills, understand pulmonary pathophysiology, prioritize patient care, make decisions quickly under stress, and work with minimal supervision.
7. Ability to operate respiratory therapy equipment, ECG machines, and computers.
8. Ability to visually assess patient condition, receive and interpret information, respond to verbal requests, and palpate pulses.
9. Able to provide exemplary customer service, communicate effectively at all levels, and follow the chain of command for problem resolution.