Respiratory Therapist (PRN) - One UMMS Staffing Center

About the Role

A Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT), under medical direction, provides treatment, management, diagnostic evaluation, and care of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities of the pulmonary system.

Responsibilities

• Assess patients who require respiratory care through interviews, physical examination of the chest, and review of the patient’s chart and chest x-rays.
• Provide respiratory care through administration of medicated aerosol treatments, IPPB, ultrasonic nebulization, chest physiotherapy, incentive spirometry, humidification, and oxygen therapy.
• Maintain mechanical ventilators and make appropriate ventilator setting changes after consultation with the physician.
• Evaluate patients for weaning from mechanical ventilation.
• Participate in CPR and obtain/analyze arterial blood gas samples.
• Participate in multidisciplinary care planning and recommend various modes of therapy to physicians.
• Collect health data through interviews, physical exams of the chest, evaluation of breath sounds, and review of medical records.
• Develop appropriate treatment regimens based on patient care needs and discuss the care plan with the ordering physician.
• Demonstrate knowledge and skill in administering respiratory therapy modalities, including oxygen therapy, respiratory medications, aerosol therapy, IPPB, ultrasonic nebulization, incentive spirometry, chest physiotherapy, mechanical ventilation, CPAP, and BiPAP.
• Educate patients and families about respiratory modalities and medications.
• Actively participate in Quality Improvement initiatives and follow all appropriate policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Maintain, clean, stock, and set up respiratory therapy equipment.
• Demonstrate knowledge and skill in selecting appropriate ventilator settings and evaluating patients for weaning.
• Perform arterial punctures with proper technique, including site preparation, patient identification, and acceptable samples.
• Be proficient in the use of pH/blood gas analyzers, including maintenance, quality control, rule violations, and documentation.
• Provide supervision as needed to other members of the Respiratory Therapy department.
• Maintain certification in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
• Identify problem areas pertaining to respiratory therapy and take appropriate actions or make recommendations to correct them.
• Demonstrate support and compliance with the organization’s mission, vision, values, philosophy, goals, objectives, and policies.
• Perform additional functions to assist the Assistant Director of Respiratory Therapy and other activities as assigned.

Requirements

• Graduation from a Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) approved school of Respiratory Therapy.
• Two years of recent (within the past 12 months) hospital experience.
• Credentialed by the National Board of Respiratory Care as a Certified or Registered Respiratory Therapist.
• Licensed by the State of Maryland Board for Physician Quality Assurance.
• American Heart Association BLS (Basic Life Support) and ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support) certified.