Respiratory Therapist - Per Diem

About the role

Ensures proper operation and functioning of respiratory therapy equipment. Monitors patients' physiological parameters during therapy. Administers medical gases and aerosolized drugs.

Responsibilities

- Initiates therapy under a Physician's order and makes appropriate recommendations for modalities of therapy. - Implements therapy for patients on continuous mechanical ventilators and various positive pressure breathing devices. Assesses cardiopulmonary status and assists in intubation. - Administers humidified medical gases as prescribed. Interprets blood gas results and consults with the attending physician/practitioner. - Performs arterial punctures, withdraws blood samples from indwelling lines, and provides ventilatory support during special procedures. - Coordinates transport of ventilatory equipment. Implements and monitors care for patients using heated aerosols and CPAP as per practitioner orders. - Cleans and maintains respiratory therapy equipment. Assists in maintaining adequate inventory of respiratory supplies. Conducts quality control tests on equipment. Requests repair when necessary. - Participates in continuous quality improvement teams as required. - Monitors esophageal pressures, Swan-Ganz catheter data, central venous pressure (CVP), arterial blood pressures, electrolytes, and fluid balance in relation to respiratory patients. - Performs chest physiotherapy, manual ventilation, suctioning, and tracheostomy care. Changes tracheostomy tubes as ordered. - Performs electroencephalogram (EEG) and polysomnography (PSG) as ordered for sleep studies. - Documents pertinent information in the medical record. Documents care provided in the medical record. - Monitors disease processes, arterial and venous catheter placements, and endotracheal tube placements via chest X-rays. - Communicates pertinent patient information to physicians, practitioners, and nurses as appropriate. - Participates in patient rounds with Pulmonologists/Intensivists/Neonatologists. Responds to and participates in Code Blue scenarios as part of the RRT team.

Requirements

- Completion of a clinical rotation in critical care/intensive care environments, including care of respiratory needs of acutely ill patients. - Associate’s degree in Respiratory Therapy or completion of a Respiratory Care Program. - Respiratory Therapist License (Hawaii) required at hire. - Neonatal Resuscitation Program certification within one month of hire from the American Academy of Pediatrics. - Basic Life Support (BLS) required at hire. - Registered Respiratory Therapist Certificate within three months of hire from the National Board of Respiratory Care.

Qualifications

Demonstrated knowledge of and skill in written communication, oral communication, interpersonal relations, customer service, decision making, problem solving, and teamwork.

Skills

Experience with neonatal intensive care (NICU) and cardiac surgery patients is preferred.

Benefits

Not specified.

Pay

Not specified.

Schedule

Onsite, Full-time, Variable.