Respiratory Therapist PD-27338

Responsibilities

• Administers, monitors, and weans mechanical ventilation;
• Makes ventilator recommendations based on clinical assessment, technical assessment, and laboratory values;
• Manages airways.
• Administers bronchial hygiene and treatment procedures including aerosol therapies, chest physical therapy, and therapeutic gas administration;
• Analyzes gases where applicable;
• Procures and delivers gases using central piping systems and gas cylinders.
• Affords continuous patient assessment;
• Applies CPAP and BIPAP and makes recommendations based on patient compliance, response, and laboratory values;
• Participates in CQI and QA initiatives including work audits, abstracts, research, Daily Management System (DMS) projects, committee participation, or other activities to improve the clinical and work environments.
• Documents work timely, completely, and accurately, including documentation in the patient medical record, documentation in the department records, and patient billing.
• Assesses patient oxygenation, ventilation, and hemodynamic status through clinical observation, patient assessment, physiologic monitoring including oximetry, capnography, ventilator waveform analysis, and cardiac output, ECG, and laboratory values;
• Provides respiratory care interventions within the scope of the Rapid Response Team, performs CPR.
• Performs bedside spirometry including spontaneous breathing parameters, PEFR, and other limited pulmonary function;
• Identifies normal values for patients.
• Provides patient/family education.
• Performs ECGs and phlebotomy, including arterial puncture.
• Participates in on-going maintenance of the blood gas equipment, QC, calibration and proficiency testing.
• Performs bronchoscopy assist.
• Demonstrate initiative in optimizing patient care by participating in physician rounds, documenting assessment findings, and therapy changes.
• Precepts employees that are orienting.
• Provides clinical supervision of respiratory care students on rotation.

Requirements

• Registered Respiratory Therapist and licensed as an Illinois Respiratory Care Practitioner.
• Must pass departmental competencies.
• Requires BLS, ACLS. PALS within 90 days of hire.
• Technical skills are required to adapt equipment and procedures to patient needs.
• Analytical skills are required to evaluate patients and their clinical response to therapy.
• Customer service skills are required to effectively meet the needs of patients, families, and members of the healthcare team on an almost constant basis.

Qualifications

• NRP is preferred.

Physical Demands

• Standing, walking, pushing, and bending for 75% of the day.
• Must be able to lift 20 pounds in order to handle cylinders.
• Must be highly adaptable to respond to changing workloads and priorities.