Respiratory Therapist

Under the supervision of the Respiratory Therapy Manager and/or the Lead Respiratory Therapist and upon request of the physician, sets up and operates various types of respiratory care equipment to be
utilized in the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory disease and/or illness.

Certificates and Licenses:

• Licensed to practice by the state of employment as a Respiratory Practitioner.
• Must have BLS upon hire and obtain ACLS certification within 90 days of employment.
• Must maintain licenses and certification for the duration of employment.

SUMMARY OF ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Provides care for the Adult or Geriatric patient, ages 18 years and over.
• Demonstrates and understands the importance of and respect for the rights, dignity and individuality of each patient in all interactions.
• Explain purpose and procedure of treatments, tests and equipment to the patient and properly document all education given to patient(s) and their caregivers on the patient education form in the patient’s chart.
• Conduct physician prescribed treatments: including but not limited to, Hand Held Nebulizer Therapy and various nasal oxygen devices in order to administer prescribed medicinal vapors and gasses, humidity, various oxygen concentrations to the respiratory system of the patient, and chest physical therapy treatments.
• Set up, operate and monitor ventilators when the patient's respiratory system is incapable of adequate spontaneous ventilation. Participate in ventilator weaning process, utilizing protocols and physician direction. Set up ventilator using the ventilator graphics to ensure the patient is comfortable and getting enough flow to meet his/her respiratory demand.
• Ensure the adequate maintenance of ventilation during cardio-pulmonary resuscitation; intubate as necessary.
• Record all pertinent information of treatments, and patient response to treatments, on respiratory care records and patient chart; place MAR’s on patient’s chart in proper order.
• Perform trach care per hospital policy and procedure.
• Change out trach tubes as necessary and per hospital policy and procedure; and properly document changes on the respiratory progress notes.
• Change out tubing and inline suction devices, including suction canisters per hospital policy and procedure.
• Report treatments to be conducted and condition of patients to relief personnel. Give a complete report of any changes made and new orders written and keep the patient's primary care nurse informed of such changes.
• Process respiratory therapy equipment including ENT/Bronchoscope; cleaning, sterilizing and packaging as required. Uses the clean and dirty scope boxes and properly prepares the scope for transport to and from the cleaning area. Ensures that Cidex OPA is functional including a test strip within the last 24 hours.
• Perform preventative maintenance and repair of equipment including EST and SST pre-use checks on ventilator before each use or as needed and properly documents in the cleaning log.
• Make regular rounds. check the patient's ventilator at least every 4 hours, and oxygen equipment at least once per shift, fill room humidifiers, change suction canisters daily, as well as spot-checking other respiratory therapy equipment per hospital policy and procedure.
• Utilizes specialized knowledge of respiratory therapy procedures in performing diagnostic studies. Perform and evaluate blood gas analysis, including arterial and venous. Demonstrates competency in the use of the blood gas device(s). Maintains continuing education annually related to laboratory practices.
• Assist in preparing respiratory care/ventilator patients for physical therapy, ambulation, transport, etc. Properly stores oxygen tanks per OSHA and hospital guidelines.
• Attends monthly Respiratory Care departmental meetings on general staff meetings and in-services.

STANDARD JOB DUTIES

• Adheres to all components of the Hospital Compliance Plan in performing job duties and reports any violations or suspected violations of the Plan to the Compliance Officer.
• Demonstrates professional conduct and complies with hospital and departmental policies and procedures.
• Adheres to hospital attendance policy as outlined in the Employee Handbook.
• Complies with measures for preventing exposure to blood borne pathogens.
• Participates in the Hazardous Material Program; hazards include exposure to blood and body fluids, possible communicable diseases, sharp objects and instruments, assorted chemicals and
  gasses as listed in the Hazardous Materials Program Manual.
• Complies with established Safety and Patient Safety Program practices.
• Performs other incidental and related duties, as required and/or assigned.
• Develops an understanding of responsibilities for recognizing patient abuse and follows policy for making appropriate referrals/interventions.
• Develops an understanding of responsibilities for participation in Performance Improvement
  activities and participates in such activities.
• Limits access to protected health information (PHI) to the information reasonably necessary to do the job, and shares such information only on a need-to-know basis for work purposes.