Respiratory Therapist Registered - Per Diem

About the role

The Respiratory Therapist - Registered PRN works as part of a team of physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to manage patient care by using a variety of testing techniques. Additionally, the incumbent assists doctors in cardiac and pulmonary research and facilitates the diagnosis of respiratory disorders. UHealth-University of Miami Health System, South Florida's only university-based health system, provides leading-edge patient care powered by the ground breaking research and medical education at the Miller School of Medicine. As an academic medical center, we are proud to serve South Florida, Latin America and the Caribbean. Our physicians represent more than 100 specialties and sub-specialties, and have more than one million patient encounters each year. Our tradition of excellence has earned worldwide recognition for outstanding teaching, research and patient care. This is a core job profile description and is not reflective of all duties that may be assigned to a specific position in each individual department. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and primary responsibilities of this core job profile. Specific duties and tasks may vary based upon departmental needs. Other duties may be assigned to the above consistent with the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the job.

Responsibilities

• Conducts tests, such as electrocardiograms, stress testing, and lung capacity tests to evaluate patients' cardiopulmonary functions.
• Performs bronchopulmonary drainage and assists or instructs patients in the performance of breathing exercises.
• Sets up and operates devices such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, and aerosol generators, following specified parameters of treatment.
• Reads prescription, measures arterial blood gases, and reviews patient information to assess patient’s condition.
• Determines requirements for treatment such as type, method, and duration of therapy, precautions to be taken, and medication and dosages.
• Explains treatment procedures to patients to gain cooperation and allay fears.
• Educates patients and their families about their conditions and teaches them appropriate disease management techniques such as breathing exercises, and the use of medications and respiratory equipment.
• Monitors patients’ physiological responses to therapy such as vital signs and blood chemistry changes, and consults with physicians if adverse reactions occur.
• Maintains charts that contain patients' pertinent identification and therapy information.
• Inspects, cleans, tests, and maintains respiratory therapy equipment to ensure equipment is functioning safely and efficiently.
• Supervises, teaches, and trains students, respiratory therapy technicians, and assistants.
• Adheres to University and unit-level policies and procedures and safegu