REGISTERED RESPIRATORY THERAPIST

Responsible for

• Safe and effective administration of medically prescribed medications, knowing their indications and contraindications.
• Completes Respiratory Care Patient Assessments before treating patients (except in an emergency).
• Safe utilization of gas cylinders and piped in gas outlets.
• Performs arterial punctures using radial, brachial and femoral sites independently.
• Performs artificial airway care, including naso-tracheal and endo-tracheal suctioning.
• Documents all maintenance, calibration, problems, and quality controls performed on the blood gas analyzers.
• Familiar with measuring devices to include, but not limited to, ETCO2, pulse oximeter, Wrights respirometer, oxygen blenders.
• Participates in reporting patient progress, patient condition, and documenting needed level of care to the next shift.
• Adheres to policies and procedures required for the implementation of the National Patient Safety Goals.

Qualifications

• Minimum Education: Graduate of an approved school of Respiratory Care.
• Minimum Work Experience: Two years of acute care experience preferred.
• Required Licenses / Registrations: Respiratory Therapist License, Registered Respiratory Therapist - National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
• Required Classes/Skills: ACLS (AHA), BLS (AHA), Instructor- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) - AHA, Instructor- Basic Life Support (BLS) - AHA.

Skills

• Knowledge of indications and contraindications for therapeutic modalities including IS, HHN, CPAP & BiPAP, Heliox.
• Ability to interpret arterial and venous blood gas results and convey information to the medical team.
• Ability to perform external compression, bag mask ventilation, and assist with endotracheal tube and LMA insertion and removal during codes.
• Ability to verify endotracheal tube placement using an end tidal CO2 detector, breath sounds, and a chest x-ray.
• Ability to perform weaning mechanics utilizing a respirometer, manometer, and cuff pressure manometer.
• Ability to measure and record the static compliance and dynamic resistance of the airways for all mechanically ventilated patients.
• Ability to set up and check the functionality of all ventilators at South Shore Hospital, set up and apply all modes of ventilation, and perform ventilator checks at the prescribed frequency.
• Ability to explain the different modalities and their applications with respect to the patient's disease process.
• Ability to perform CPAP and BiPAP, select proper equipment, and fit the mask to the individual patient.
• Ability to demonstrate the ability to safely perform an endotracheal extubation upon the order of a physician.
• Ability to participate in new respiratory procedures as they are introduced and inserviced into the Respiratory Care Department.