Guided by knowledge of the basic principles of Respiratory Therapy based on the biological, physical, and psycho-social sciences, utilizes judgment supported by evidence and delivery of Respiratory care. Provides, coordinates and/or delegates RT care and manages resources in the delivery of care for patients, the family of patients and the community, with the goal of attaining, maintaining and restoring optimum health.

Formal Education Required:

a. Graduate of an accredited school of professional nursing or a school accepted for candidacy status from an accrediting body

b. Current license to practice registered nursing in the state

Experience and Training Required:

a. One year recent experience in the area of practice.

b. Two years of related RN experience required for all float positions; for critical care, experience must include intensive and/or coronary care; for telemetry, experience must include telemetry

c. Additional related previous experience and/or preparation maybe required for specialty units.

Other Skills, Competencies and Qualifications:

a. Requires full range of body motion including handling and lifting patients, manual and finger dexterity, and eye-hand coordination.

b. Requires standing and walking for extended periods of time

c. Requires corrected vision and hearing to normal range

d. Requires working under stressful conditions or working irregular hours.

e. Requires exposure to communicable disease, body fluids, toxic substances, ionizing radiation, and other potentially hazardous conditions common to a clinical environment, such as risk of falls, strains, etc.

f. Maintains current Basic Life Support certification; All nurses new to critical care, telemetry, PACU, and ED must successfully complete Advanced Cardiac Life Support within the first six months and maintain current card. Experienced critical care RNs and RNs hired as per diems in critical care, telemetry, PACU, and ED are expected to have ACLS certification upon hire. If not credentialed, they must obtain ACLS certification within six weeks of hire.

Population Specific Competency:

a. Ability to effectively interact with populations of patients/customers with an understanding of their needs for self-respect, dignity and diversity.

Level of Physical Demands:

Heavy: Exerts 50-100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 25 to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or ten to 20 pounds of force continuously to move objects.