Respiratory Therapist

Responsibilities

• Primary Function: Provide respiratory care and assist with the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of various cardiopulmonary diseases and disorders.
• Possess a current RI license, either CRT or RRT certification, and current BLS certification.
• Perform respiratory therapy treatments according to physician orders, including aerosol medication delivery, lung expansion, airway clearance modalities, maintenance of natural and artificial airways, care planning, and patient education.
• Obtain arterial blood samples from the radial artery for blood gas analysis; interpret the results and recommend appropriate treatment to the physician.
• Manage ventilator therapy— including initiation, maintenance, monitoring, assessment, participation in rounds, and weaning— while also performing nasal, oral, and pharyngeal suctioning.
• Provide rapid response assessment and emergency care, including airway management, CPR, trauma care, manual and mechanical ventilatory support, and oxygenation support.
• Support and monitor patient transport within the hospital and to other facilities using portable ventilators, manual resuscitators, oxygen delivery systems, and monitors.
• Set up and administer oxygen using a variety of devices.
• Perform charge collection, maintain accurate records, and manage equipment changes and reprocessing as required.
• Document all pertinent information in the patient's medical record regarding therapy provided, medications administered, and patient response.
• Communicate essential information to oncoming staff to ensure safe patient handoffs.
• Provide education to patients and families to facilitate self-care and smooth transitions in care.
• Train employees and students in daily procedures, and, when necessary, oversee and prioritize care in the absence of a supervisor.
• Perform any other related duties as assigned.