Respiratory Therapist - Inpatient Pediatrics

Under medical supervision, the individual must be able to adapt to the particular area of assignment and perform accordingly.

Responsibilities

• Delivers quality care by integrating the elements of examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, and intervention to optimize outcomes and patient independence.
• Administers inhalants and aerosolized medications, performs bronchial hygiene, operates mechanical ventilators, delivers therapeutic gas administration, and performs hyperinflation modalities per established respiratory protocols.
• Performs cardiopulmonary and hematological diagnostic studies.
• Promotes a safe and clean working environment by complying with policies, procedures, rules, and regulations governing environment of care and patient safety.
• Determines and/or facilitates discharge/discontinuation of services by analyzing achievement of anticipated goals and expected outcomes, planning discharge/discontinuation, and providing appropriate home instruction, follow-up, or referral.
• Records patient services by documenting, dating, and authenticating respiratory therapy examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, intervention, and outcomes in accordance with facility and regulatory guidelines; bills for specific interventions provided.
• Develops and enhances professional knowledge and skills by participating in continuing education to maintain licensure, reviewing professional publications, and providing learning experiences for professional development.
• Contributes to team effort by embracing change to achieve common goals, demonstrating willingness to provide service at other sites as necessary, investigating opportunities for new lines of services, contributing to the development of peers, and promoting a positive work environment.
• Complies with federal, state, and local legal and professional requirements by understanding and adhering to current standards of practice for respiratory therapy, including the code of ethics and practice guidelines established by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; provides appropriate supervision to other healthcare professionals and coworkers.
• Ensures operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements, following manufacturer’s instructions, troubleshooting malfunctions, and calling for repairs.
• Protects patient information and confidentiality by securing all information in a confidential space and following facility confidentiality policy.
• Contributes to performance improvement (PI) team efforts by assisting the Clinical Resource Specialist with data collection, monitoring, analyzing, and reporting.

Requirements

• Graduate of a respiratory care program approved by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care and/or a passing grade on the National Board for Respiratory Care entry-level credentialing examination.
• Bachelor's Degree in Respiratory Therapy preferred.
• 1-2 years of experience required; clinical experience in all areas of respiratory care is preferred.
• Registered or Certified Respiratory Therapy license required.
• BLS/CPR for a healthcare provider, per the American Heart Association, required.
• For those working at the Specialty (LTACH) and Rehabilitation Hospital: Must obtain ACLS certification within six (6) months of employment; certification must be maintained throughout employment.
• For those working in the Pediatric Hospital: Must obtain PALS certification within six (6) months of employment; certification must be maintained throughout employment.