Respiratory Therapy Technician

Overview

Provide respiratory care services that are covered under the employee's limited license to practice  respiratory care.

Responsibilities

• Performs equipment storage, assembly, disassembly, and maintenance.

• Transports gas cylinders safely and appropriately.

• Administers oxygen therapy.

• Administers hand-held nebulizer treatments.

• Instructs patients in the use of incentive spirometers.

• Instructs patients in the use of metered dose inhalers (MDIs).

• Performs sputum inductions.

• Performs subsequent applications of CPAP and BiPAP.

• Performs blood gas analysis.

• Performs pulmonary function testing.

• Performs ventilator application and maintenance under direct observation of a preceptor.

• Performs ventilator application and maintenance independently following demonstrated competency.

• Performs arterial punctures.

• Obtains hemodynamic line draws.

• Performs manual ventilation during CPR and patient transport.

• Performs nasotracheal suctioning.

• Responsible for the safe and effective administration of medically prescribed medications, understanding their indications and contraindications.

• Knows and follows indications, contraindications, policies, and procedures related to administering therapeutic modalities including IPPB, IS, USN, HHN, and MDI therapies.

• Sets up and monitors oxygen administration.

• Sets up oxygen cylinders and ensures proper usage and safety measures are maintained.

• Performs bedside pulmonary function tests (PFTs).

• May perform pulmonary function testing in the PFT laboratory following appropriate training and orientation.

• Serves as a member of the Code Team and responds to cardiac and respiratory arrest situations.

• Performs CPR compressions as required and maintains annual CPR certification.

• Performs daily and weekly preventive maintenance, calibration, and quality control testing of ABG and co-oximeter analyzers.

• Demonstrates familiarity with oxygen delivery systems, including nasal cannulas and Venturi masks.

• Demonstrates familiarity with respiratory measurement devices including pulse oximeters, Wright respirometers, and oxygen blenders.

• Assists with setup, safety checks, monitoring, and troubleshooting of mechanical ventilators in collaboration with a Respiratory Therapist.

• Demonstrates knowledge of CPAP and BiPAP setup and administration.

• Maintains accurate and legible records and documents clinical notes in patient charts.

• Reports patient progress and prioritizes patient condition during shift-to-shift handoff.

• Maintains proper documentation within departmental records.

• Participates in staff meetings, lectures, conferences, and seminars.

• Attends all required safety training programs and demonstrates knowledge of responsibilities related to general safety, department safety, and specific job-related hazards.

• Follows hospital exposure control plans for bloodborne and airborne pathogens.

• Demonstrates respect and regard for the dignity of all patients, families, visitors, and fellow employees to ensure a professional, responsible, and courteous environment.

• Promotes effective working relationships and works effectively as part of a department/unit team interdepartmentally and intradepartmentally to facilitate departmental goals and objectives.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• High School Diploma or GED required.

• Associate's Degree in Respiratory Care required.

Required Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

• Working knowledge of problem solving and decision making skills.

• Working knowledge of digital literacy skills.

Outpatient Services

• Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT).

• Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) testing.

• Stress testing.

• Home sleep studies.

• In-Lab sleep studies.

• Electroencephalogram (EEG) testing.

• Holter monitor application and monitoring.

• Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) testing.

• Six Minute Walk Testing.

Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehabilitation

• Phase I: Initial assessment.

• Phase II: Development and implementation of individualized plans including monitored exercise programs.

• Phase III: Self-controlled long-term maintenance programs.

Licenses & Certifications

• Kentucky Board of Respiratory Care credential required.

• National Board of Respiratory Care credential required.

• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.

• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification required for Cardiac and Rehabilitation staff.