GENERAL SUMMARY:

Provides respiratory therapy that includes assessment, treatment, management, control, diagnostic evaluation and care of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities of the cardiopulmonary system. Provides consultation, instruction, and/or technical direction to medical, nursing, and other staff members. Does cardiology diagnostic procedures.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:

Receive and give accurate and complete reports.

Completes a thorough history/assessment of patients of various ages, ranging from newborn to geriatric, taking into consideration the physiological/anatomical needs of the patient.

Observes, identifies, and collects data to identify respiratory care needs of the patient, newborn to geriatric, with their needs reflected in the plan of care.

Reads and interprets physician orders. Confers with medical staff and nursing and offers new or alternate modes of therapy based on assessment and individualized patient care plan.

Identifies and plans appropriate safety precautions to be taken to prevent injury when dealing with all age specific groups.

Sets up and operates various types of equipment to administer prescribed treatment plan to include doses of medical gases and aerosolized medication to patients of varying ages ranging from newborn to geriatric.

Plans and documents patients’/significant others’ education needs. Documents intervention and understanding of identified learner on educational flow sheet.

Documentation reflects intervention and outcome of care. Care plan updated and resolutions are documented.

Enter into the department computer all daily services and changes given to patients.

Verify all respiratory care physician orders.

Maintain accurate and complete documentation of respiratory care procedures per department policy and procedures.

Demonstrates basic knowledge of respiratory care intervention associated with patients’ disease status with emphasis in specialty areas. Exhibits knowledge of technical skills required to implement safe respiratory care and health promotion of the hospitalized patient as demonstrated through practices: airway maintenance and mechanical ventilator care, bronchial hygiene, diagnostic testing (i.e., ABG analysis, bronchoscopy, spirometry, pulse oximetry), 12 lead ECG rhythms, oxygen and continuous aerosol therapy, code 99 emergencies, cardiac stress test and PFT diffusion studies.

Demonstrates proficiency in the use of equipment.

Provides care and meaningful reports to fellow workers and physicians.

Orients new personnel to the department.

Communicates significant changes on patient conditions and abnormal diagnostic data requiring medical attention.

Upholds the standards of patient care in a safe, efficient, and cost-effective manner.

Participates in Quality Improvement monitoring.

Shows flexibility in hours to reflect work load.

Completes daily routine of assigned tasks.

Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

Must be able to concentrate and make quick judgments with a high level of skill, knowledge, understanding, and accuracy and have the ability to work without close supervision.

Excellent communication skills.

May be asked to work overtime with little or no notice.

Verbal and written English communication skills for safe and effective patient care and to meet documentation standards.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Completion of a two-year AMA program/school for Respiratory Therapy or Certification by the National Board for Respiratory Therapy. State License. BCLS, ACLS and PALS required. Must have 24 hours of CEUs every 2 years to renew license.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Exposure to solvents, chemicals, and cleaning solutions as applied to departmental MSDS sheet.

Must use personal protective equipment/devices to avoid direct contact with blood and body fluids, sharps, chemicals, etc. as they apply to each department.