Respiratory Therapist – Adults

Provides evaluation of and care for respiratory therapy patients. Administers prescribed respiratory therapeutic services.MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:1. Licensed respiratory therapist by the applicable state where services will be performed:MD: Respiratory Care Practitioner through Maryland Board of PhysiciansOH: Respiratory Care Professional through Ohio Board of MedicinePA: Respiratory Therapist through Pennsylvania State Board of MedicineWV: Licensed Respiratory Therapist Certified (LRTC) or Licensed Respiratory Therapist Registered (LRTR) through West Virginia Board of Respiratory Care2. Obtain certification in Basic Life Support within 30 days of hire date.To be completed as established by department: (Administered at Department level)1. ACLS2. PALS3. NRP4. STABLE5. Point of Care Technician through the West Virginia Department of Health & Human ResourcesPREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:1. Registered Respiratory TherapistEXPERIENCE:1. Two (2) years respiratory therapist experience.CORE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The statements described here are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be constructed as an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities and duties. Other duties may be assigned.1. Performs basic and advanced therapeutic procedures for neonatal, pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients by order of the physician.2. Assembles, checks, and corrects malfunctions and performs quality controls on Respiratory Care equipment.3. Initiates, maintains, and discontinues mechanical ventilation for adult, pediatric, and neonatal patients.4. Communicates appropriately and effectively with other members of the healthcare team regarding all aspects of patient care.5. Provides assistance with patient and family/caregiver education along with other members of the healthcare team.6. Actively participates in departmental quality assurance and hospital-wide organizational performance improvement activities.7. Performs basic and advanced diagnostic procedures for pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients by order of the Physician8. Maintains clinical and professional competency based upon established standards of practice.9. Demonstrates the ability to perform all relevant departmental competencies.PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical 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.1. Ability to be on feet/walking extended periods of time.2. Ability to lift, push, and/or pull 40 pounds.WORKING ENVIRONMENT: 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 the essential functions.1. Cognizant of environmental factors, infection control issues and maintains a safe environment for patient care.SKILLS AND ABILITIES:1. Requires good interpersonal communication skills when in contact with public, patients, staff and physicians.2. Requires multi-tasking, problem solving and decision making abilities.The Respiratory Clinical Ladder is a system-wide clinical advancement program to enhance professional development, provide a reward system for quality clinical performance, promote quality respiratory care, and improve job satisfaction for respiratory therapists.Level 1No experience requiredAll respiratory therapists with less than 12 months of experience enter at Level one with a AS, BS, or higherAttains 2 points in any of the domainsLevel 2Meets requirements for previous levelOne year of experience.Attains 4 points in any of the domainsLevel 3Meets requirements for previous levelsAvailable to Registered Respiratory TherapistsThree years of experienceAttains 8 points in any of the domainsLevel 4Meets requirements for previous levelsAvailable to those with a BS or higherAvailable to Registered Respiratory TherapistsFive years of experience, plus one specialty credentialAttains 10 points in any of the domainsLevel 5Meets requirements for previous levelsAvailable to those with a BS or higherAvailable to Registered Respiratory TherapistsSeven years of experience, plus one specialty credentialAttains 12 points in any of the domains