Respiratory Therapist

Overview

The Respiratory Therapist provides services to adult and pediatric patients.  They provide general respiratory therapy, adult and pediatric critical care, and limited diagnostics. 

Responsibilities

Performs and accurately records technical procedures safely, effectively, efficiently, and within scope of policy

Reviews, collects, and evaluates relevant clinical data, and formulates an appropriate care plan based on patient assessment.

Performs both basic and advanced emergency, therapeutic, and diagnostic procedures for neonatal, infant, pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients.

Provides effective education to patients and co-workers as appropriate.

Assembles, checks, and corrects malfunctions and performs quality controls on respiratory care equipment.

Actively participates in departmental quality assurance and facility-wide organizational performance improvement activities.

Gives rationale for actions, decisions, and clinical care, based on scientific principles, clinical practice guidelines, or successful experience

Patient care procedures include:

• • Oxygen/Aerosol Therapy
  • Bronchial Hygiene
  • Postural Drainage and Percussion
  • Intermittent Positive Pressure Breathing
  • Acapella
  • Aerosolized Medications
  • Hand Held Nebulizer
  • Metered Dose Inhaler
  • Dry Powder Inhaler
  • Adult/Pediatric/Neonatal Critical Care
  • CPAP/BiPAP
  • E-ZPAP
  • Mechanical ventilation including transport
  • Blood collection and analysis
  • Emergency tracheostomy tube replacement
  • Bedside Pulmonary Function Testing

DCH Standards:

• Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
• Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook.
• Must adhere to the DCH Behavioral Standards including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self.
• Performs essential job functions in a manner that ensures the safety of patients, visitors and employees.
• Identifies and reduces unsafe practices that may result in harm to patients, visitors and employees.
• Recognizes and takes appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards to promote safety for patients, visitors and employees.
• Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
• Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Current Alabama Respiratory Therapist license.

Credentialed as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)

BLS required

PALS and ACLS preferred

Must be able to read, write legibly, speak and comprehend English.

WORKING CONDITIONS

WORK CONTEXT

• Interpersonal relationships: Includes demonstrating leadership skills. Delegating to team members, addressing conflict, communication with all types of personalities, and being responsible for      outcomes/results.
• Physical work conditions: Includes exposure to human fluids, disease, infection, lab chemicals and hazard materials and/or cleaning solutions. Requires wearing common protective or safety equipment.
• Structural job characteristics: Includes decision making and critical thinking to identify strengths andweaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems. Must be able to work regular assigned schedule with occasional long hours.

PHYSICAL FACTORS

              ABILITY

• Ability to tolerate prolonged periods of standing and walking. .  
• Ability to run in emergency situations.  
• Ability to feel and perceive temperatures, texture, shape and size with fingertips. 

ACTIVITES

• Physical activities include talking, hearing, bending, twisting, walking, running, stooping, kneeling, crawling, reaching, pushing, crouching, pulling, lifting, repetitive motion, standing.
• Must be able to use hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.

REQUIREMENTS

• Heavy work. Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds constantly to move objects.
• Must be able to perform the duties with or without reasonable accommodation
• Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range.
• Physical presence onsite is essential.