RT Respiratory Therapist RT Full Time RT

Responsibilities

• Provides care for the Adult or Geriatric patient, ages 18 years and over.
• Demonstrates and understands the importance of and respect for the rights, dignity and individuality of each patient in all interactions.
• Explain purpose and procedure of treatments, tests and equipment to the patient and properly document all education given to patient(s) and their caregivers on the patient education form in the patient’s chart.
• Conduct physician prescribed treatments: including but not limited to, Hand Held Nebulizer Therapy and various nasal oxygen devices in order to administer prescribed medicinal vapors and gasses, humidity, various oxygen concentrations to the respiratory system of the patient, and chest physical therapy treatments.
• Set up, operate and monitor ventilators when the patient's respiratory system is incapable of adequate spontaneous ventilation.
• Participate in ventilator weaning process, utilizing protocols and physician direction.
• Set up ventilator using the ventilator graphics to ensure the patient is comfortable and getting enough flow to meet his/her respiratory demand.
• Adequately maintain ventilation during cardio-pulmonary resuscitation; intubate as necessary.
• Record all pertinent information of treatments, and patient response to treatments, on respiratory care records and patient chart; place MAR’s on patient’s chart in proper order.
• Give a complete report of any changes made and new orders written and keep the patient's primary care nurse informed of such changes.
• Process respiratory therapy equipment including ENT/Bronchoscope; cleaning, sterilizing and packaging as required.
• Uses the clean and dirty scope boxes and properly prepares the scope for transport to and from the cleaning area.
• Ensures that Cidex OPA is functional including a test strip within the last 24 hours.
• Performs preventative maintenance and repair of equipment including EST and SST pre-use checks on ventilator before each use or as needed and properly documents in the cleaning log.
• Makes regular rounds. Check the patient's ventilator at least every 4 hours, and oxygen equipment at least once per shift, fill room humidifiers, change suction canisters daily, as well as spot-checking other respiratory therapy equipment per hospital policy and procedure.
• Utilizes specialized knowledge of respiratory therapy procedures in performing diagnostic studies.
• Perform and evaluate blood gas analysis, including arterial and venous.
• Maintains continuing education annually related to laboratory practices.
• Assist in preparing respiratory care/ventilator patients for physical therapy, ambulation, transport, etc.
• Properly stores oxygen tanks per OSHA and hospital guidelines.
• Attends monthly Respiratory Care departmental meetings on general staff meetings and in-services.

Qualifications

• Licensed to practice by the state of employment as a Respiratory Practitioner.
• Must have BLS upon hire and obtain ACLS certification within 90 days of employment.
• Maintain licenses and certification for the duration of employment.