Respiratory Therapist RT - $7,500 Hiring Incentive

About the Role

Administers respiratory therapy care and life support to patients with deficiencies and abnormalities of the cardiopulmonary system, under supervision of a physician and by prescription.

Responsibilities

• Organizes work schedule and schedules respiratory care for inpatients as ordered.
• Takes verbal orders from physicians regarding respiratory therapy treatment.
• Consults with physician in event of adverse reactions.
• Delivers chest physiotherapy (CPT) and breathing exercises.
• Performs sputum induction, nasotracheal (NT) suction, endotracheal suction, tracheostomy care, and monitors patients on continuous ventilation as prescribed by physician’s orders accordingli>
• Performs pre- and post-analytical phases of the I-STAT blood gas procedures.
• Reads prescription, measures arterial blood gases, and reviews patient information to assess patient condition and determine requirements for treatment, such as type and duration of therapy, and medication and dosages.
• Determines most suitable method of administering inhalants, precautions to be observed, and modifications which may be compatible with physician’s orders.
• Sets up and operates devices, such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, and aerosol generators.
• Operates equipment to ensure specified parameters of treatment, such as volume, gas concentration, humidity, and temperature, and administers medicinal gases and aerosol drugs to patients.
• Monitors patient’s physiological responses to therapy, such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, and blood chemistry changes.
• Performs pulmonary function tests to be used by physician in diagnosis of case.
• Observes equipment function and adjusts equipment to obtain optimum results to therapy.
• Inspects, tests, and cleans respiratory therapy equipment to ensure equipment is functioning safely and efficiently.
• Orders repairs when needed.
• Maintains proper working order of I-STAT machine by performing quality control (QC) as required and reporting all errors or failures to supervisor.
• Acts in conjunction with supervisors to provide technical and clinical consultation to physicians, nurses, students, and Respiratory Therapy staff.
• Demonstrates respiratory care procedures to trainees and other health care personnel.
• Documents in patient’s medical record pertinent identification and therapy information.
• Assists in transport of critically ill patients for diagnostic testing.

Requirements

• Graduate of an American Medical Association approved Respiratory Therapist Program.
• CRT/RRT credentialed by the National Board of Respiratory Care.
• Current Alabama Respiratory Therapy license.
• Minimum of two (2) years experience preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to transport and/or lift an object intermittently throughout the work day up to a maximum of 20 pounds.
• Must be able to walk, stand, and work for extended periods of time without relief.
• Must possess dexterity of arms, hands, and fingers bilaterally.
• Must be able to work with hands for up to 12 hours a day.
• Must be able to push/pull carts weighing up to 200 pounds.
• Must possess sight/hearing senses or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately so the requirements of this position can be fully met.