Registered Respiratory Therapist - Heart Hospital PRN

Responsibilities

• Complies with department and hospital policies and procedures, and follows safety, quality assurance, and infection control standards.
• Efficiently records pertinent patient care data using the computerized medical record or manual documentation to promote timely and efficient access to required information.
• Consults with physicians regarding respiratory care procedures, initiates bronchodilator therapy in cases of respiratory distress, attends Code Blue and MET calls, and transports patients requiring respiratory assistance.
• Checks and monitors patient oxygen equipment and respiratory care equipment, ensuring proper operation and providing high-quality health care services.
• Prepares, initiates, and monitors patient respiratory ventilator systems, ensuring adequate ventilation levels during cardiopulmonary resuscitation and routine mechanical ventilation.
• Administers and assesses respiratory therapy procedures, evaluates therapy effectiveness, and prepares equipment and medications according to physician’s orders in a professional and considerate manner.
• Affirms patient condition and compliance, recommending appropriate therapy, and interacts professionally with peers, nurses, and medical staff to achieve positive patient outcomes.
• Maintains competency in arterial line insertion, intubation, and advanced ventilation techniques, including oscillation and nitric oxide, and completes competency assessments on peers and students.
• Taught at least one departmental in-service per year.
• Participates in professional development activities such as serving on departmental/hospital committees, completing community service projects, and maintaining membership in professional organizations that enhance the respiratory therapy profession.

Qualifications

• Education: Associate's Degree or equivalent from a CoArc approved program (10 years experience as licensed therapist substitutes for Associate's Degree).
• BLS required, ACLS and PALS required within 6 months of hire (NRP also required within 6 months of hire for Women's and Children's positions).
• Successfully completed both the Certified and Registered exams administered by the NBRC. Current NBRC required.
• Current Louisiana state license or temporary permit issued by LSBME.