Certified Respiratory Therapist

Job Description

The Registered Respiratory Therapist performs all of the respiratory care duties on general nursing units and in the critical care areas, to include: MICU, NICU, SICU, CSCU, PACU, Nursery, and Emergency Department. He/She evaluates the therapeutic benefits of respiratory care serviced rendered to patients; discusses with the physicians any difficulties patients may be having with therapy; and makes recommendations appropriate to a patient population of all ages. The Registered Respiratory Therapist participates in the orientation of the respiratory care staff. He/She teaches and counsels staff on the use of available equipment.

Requirements

• High School graduate or equivalent
• Graduate from an accredited, state approved, Respiratory Therapy Program
• Licensed by the Mississippi Department of Health and/or Current Military validated licensure as allowed under special State or Federal exemptions
• Credentialed by the National Board for Respiratory Care as a Registered Respiratory Therapist or eligible to become certified (must sit for the first available exam)
• Complete and maintain BCLS certification upon hire and/or transfer
• Current certification in ACLS and Neonatal Resuscitation required at (or within twelve months of) job start (must complete required continuing education)
• One (1) year experience as a Registered Respiratory Therapist preferred

Qualifications

• Currently licensed by the Mississippi Department of Health and/or Current Military validated licensure as allowed under special State or Federal exemptions
• Credentialed by the National Board for Respiratory Care as a Registered Respiratory Therapist or eligible to become certified (must sit for the first available exam)
• Complete and maintain BCLS certification upon hire and/or transfer
• Current certification in ACLS and Neonatal Resuscitation required at (or within twelve months of) job start (must complete required continuing education)

Physical Demands

• Work is moderately active: involves sitting with frequent requirements to move about the office, move about the facility, and to travel to another facility within the SRHS service area.
• Work involves exerting a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body.
• Work involves using many physical motions in performing daily work activities; subject to exposure of body fluids, sputum and tissues, which may carry the hazard of infectious disease.
• Work involves using repetitive motions: substantial movements of the wrists, hands, and or fingers while operating standard office equipment such as computer keyboard.
• Work involves being able to perceive the nature of sound at normal speaking levels with or without correction; the ability to make fine discriminations in sound.
• Work requires close visual and acuity and the ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus, i.e. shift gaze from viewing a computer monitor to forms/printed material that are closer to compare data at close vision.
• Must be able to be active for extended periods of time without experiencing undue fatigue.
• Must be able to work schedules assigned with the understanding that changes may be instituted according to the needs of the hospital for off days, shifts or weekends.

Mental Demands

• Demonstrate keen mental faculties/assessment and decision-making abilities.
• Demonstrate superior communication/speaking/enunciation skills to receive and give information in person and by telephone.
• Demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrate strong emotional stability conducive to dealing with high stress levels.
• Work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Attention to detail and the ability to multi-task in complex situations is required.
• Must have the ability to maintain collaborative and respectable working relationships throughout SRHS and other organizations.

Special Demands

• Possess superior customer service skills and professional etiquette.
• Possess proficient knowledge and ability to use a computer (must be keyboard proficient) and other office technology (i.e., telephone, fax, etc.), MS Outlook and Word.
• Possess superior clinical judgment and apply appropriate professional skills to a patient population of all ages.