Respiratory Therapist

Provides evaluation of and care for respiratory therapy patients. Administers prescribed respiratory therapeutic services. Performs duties within the scope of a Respiratory Therapist - Level I & II.

Minimum Qualifications

• Licensed Registered Respiratory Therapist by the applicable state where services will be performed:
  • MD: Respiratory Care Practitioner through Maryland Board of Physicians
  • OH: Respiratory Care Professional through Ohio Board of Medicine
  • PA: Respiratory Therapist through Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine
  • WV: Licensed Respiratory Therapist Registered (LRTR) through West Virginia Board of Respiratory Care
• Certification in Basic Life Support within 30 days of hire date
• Three (3) years respiratory therapist experience
• Department-established certifications:
  • ACLS
  • PALS
  • NRP
  • STABLE
  • Point of Care Technician through the West Virginia Department of Health & Human Resources

Preferred Qualifications

• One (1) specialty credential through the NRBRC

Responsibilities

• Performs basic and advanced therapeutic procedures for neonatal, pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients by order of the physician
• Assembles, checks, and corrects malfunctions and performs quality controls on Respiratory Care equipment
• Initiates, maintains, and discontinues mechanical ventilation for adult, pediatric, and neonatal patients
• Communicates appropriately and effectively with other members of the healthcare team regarding all aspects of patient care
• Provides assistance with patient and family/caregiver education along with other members of the healthcare team
• Actively participates in departmental quality assurance and hospital-wide organizational performance improvement activities
• Performs basic and advanced diagnostic procedures for pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients by order of the Physician
• Maintains clinical and professional competency based upon established standards of practice
• Demonstrates the ability to perform all relevant departmental competencies

Physical Requirements

• Ability to be on feet/walking for extended periods of time
• Ability to lift, push, and/or pull 40 pounds

Working Environment

Cognizant of environmental factors, infection control issues, and maintains a safe environment for patient care.

Skills and Abilities

• Good interpersonal communication skills when in contact with public, patients, staff, and physicians
• Multi-tasking, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities

Respiratory Clinical Ladder

The Respiratory Clinical Ladder is a system-wide clinical advancement program to enhance professional development, provide a reward system for quality clinical performance, promote quality respiratory care, and improve job satisfaction for respiratory therapists.

• Level 1
  • No experience required
  • All respiratory therapists with less than 12 months of experience enter at Level one with an AS, BS, or higher
  • Attains 2 points in any of the domains
• Level 2
  • Meets requirements for previous level
  • One year of experience
  • Attains 4 points in any of the domains
• Level 3
  • Meets requirements for previous levels
  • Available to Registered Respiratory Therapists
  • Three years of experience
  • Attains 8 points in any of the domains
• Level 4
  • Meets requirements for previous levels
  • Available to those with a BS or higher
  • Available to Registered Respiratory Therapists
  • Five years of experience, plus one specialty credential
  • Attains 10 points in any of the domains
• Level 5
  • Meets requirements for previous levels
  • Available to those with a BS or higher
  • Available to Registered Respiratory Therapists
  • Seven years of experience, plus one specialty credential
  • Attains 12 points in any of the domains

Schedule

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 36

Shift: Varied