Respiratory Therapist Assistant
At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.
About the location
Pursue your passion for caring with the Duke Raleigh Campus in Raleigh, North Carolina. With 204 beds, it is the third largest of the four Duke Health hospitals and offers a comprehensive array of services, including cancer, cardiovascular, neuroscience, advanced gastrointestinal, and wound healing care.
About the role
Perform diagnostic and therapeutic clinical procedures as defined in the Respiratory Care Services scope of clinical practice. Work performed in accordance with physician orders and under supervision of a Registered Respiratory Therapist.
Responsibilities
- Verify physician orders for appropriateness and accuracy.
- Understand pharmacological indications, dosages, and response to adverse drug reactions.
- Consult with providers based on patient care assessments and in accordance with accepted protocols.
- Provide education to patients, families, physicians, nursing, and other members of the health care team.
- Monitor response to all therapy.
- Document in the patient medical record.
- Communicate all pertinent clinical information during patient rounds and handoff.
- Perform diagnostic cardiopulmonary procedures, including:
- Nasotracheal and artificial airway suctioning and samples
- Arterial blood gas punctures
- Pulse oximetry and EtCO2 monitoring
- Pulmonary function and bedside pulmonary mechanics
- EKGs
- Recognize life-threatening situations and initiate appropriate response, perform CPR and bag-mask ventilation.
- Assure correct set-up, safety, and function of all equipment/supplies necessary in the provision of patient care.
- Assure adherence to all infectious disease standards in the delivery of all patient care procedures.
- Participate in quality improvement activities.
- Maintain all necessary safety and life support certifications as required.
- Provide the following therapies:
- Oxygen Supply Systems Equipment Processing
- Manual Resuscitation
- Oxygen administration
- Humidity and Aerosol Therapy
- Small Volume Nebulizer
- MDI Administration
- Incentive Spirometry
- Airway Clearance Therapy
- Arterial Puncture
- ECG (if performed by hiring institute)
- Patient reporting.
Requirements
- Active enrollment in a 2-year approved respiratory care program (Associate's Degree or the equivalent) and in good standing.
- Completion of the first semester of the respiratory care program.
- The student RCP must register with the Board before providing Respiratory Care procedures as a Respiratory Care Assistant and will receive an approval letter from the Board. The student RCP will provide a copy of the approval letter to the employer.
- Certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) and any other certifications applicable to the institution.
Skills
- Knowledge necessary to make appropriate clinical decisions and interactions relative to the specific age of a patient.
- Skills validation/certifications of competencies for the duties and responsibilities of this level.
- Must maintain annual skill requirements.
- Must maintain annual safety/compliance requirements.
- Must maintain North Carolina annual license requirements for CEUs.
- Customer service and communication expertise.
Physical demands
- Work involves contact with patients of all ages, family members, physicians, nursing, and all other members of the health care team.
- Work is performed in all areas of Duke University Health System, at applicable hiring location.
- Work may require lifting or pushing in excess of 30 pounds.
- Work requires walking, climbing, and bending.