Respiratory Therapist

Job Description:

The Respiratory Therapist RRT provides advanced-level respiratory care to patients, designed to diagnose, evaluate, treat, manage, and control deficiencies or abnormalities of the cardiopulmonary system within the prescription of the ordering physician.

This position acts as a resource to the CRT staff, providing guidance and support in the delivery of respiratory care services.

Key Responsibilities:

• Performs, interprets, and evaluates diagnostic testing procedures according to protocol.
• Obtains arterial gases and oversees the operation of equipment for optimal patient care.
• Initiates Respiratory Protocol according to department criteria and interventions based on the interpretation of assessments.
• Administers medications in a timely and safe manner, evaluating the effect and re-evaluating appropriately and according to protocol.
• Ensures that progress of patient is communicated to staff, physicians, and other departments.
• Maintains awareness of assigned patients overall condition, communicating and sharing patient information with the physicians and nurses.
• Makes appropriate recommendations for patient care, recognizing the educational needs of patients and families in relation to health promotion and wellness.
• Teaches patients and families self-care techniques and modalities.
• Completes documentation according to departmental standards, accurately documenting productivity information.
• Monitors supplies and equipment, notifying appropriate person when supplies are low, out on loan, or broken.
• Utilizes time effectively to achieve productivity standard, including utilizing low census time when patient load does not support full productivity.
• Participates in quality and patient safety initiatives, identifying potential areas for improvement, including processes that could be streamlined or revised to improve patient satisfaction.
• Identifies potential safety hazards that may create problems for patients and/or staff, and takes appropriate actions.
• Participates in departmental meetings, contributing ideas or feedback.
• Promotes mission, vision, and values of SCL Health, abiding by service behavior standards.

Requirements:

• Graduate of AMA approved program for Respiratory Therapy is required.
• Current license for Respiratory Therapy in the state of practice is required.
• Registered Respiratory Therapist is required.
• Health Care Provider Life Support certification is required.
• ACLS is required for critical care.
• Additional may be required for specialty areas (PALS, NALS, etc.).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Membership in national professional organization (AARC, NBRC) is preferred.
• One (1) year of acute or critical care experience is preferred.

Physical Requirements:

Ongoing need for employee to see and read information, labels, assess patient needs, operate monitors, identify equipment and supplies.

Frequent interactions with patient care providers, patients, and visitors that require employee to verbally communicate as well as hear and understand spoken information, alarms, needs, and issues quickly and accurately, particularly during emergency.

Manual dexterity of hands and fingers to manipulate complex and delicate equipment with precision and accuracy.

Expected to lift and utilize full range of movement to transfer patients.

Will also bend to retrieve, lift, and carry supplies and equipment.

Need to walk and assist with transporting/ambulating patients and obtaining and distributing supplies and equipment.

This includes pushing/pulling gurneys and portable equipment, including heavy items.

Often required to navigate crowded and busy rooms (full of equipment, power cords on the floor, etc.).

May be expected to stand in a stationary position for an extended period of time.