Our team members are the heart of what makes us better. At Hackensack Meridian Health we help our patients live better, healthier lives and we help one another to succeed. With a culture rooted in connection and collaboration, our employees are team members. Here, competitive benefits are just the beginning. Its also about how we support one another and how we show up for our community. Together, we keep getting better - advancing our mission to transform healthcare and serve as a leader of positive change.

The Certified Respiratory Therapist under the supervision of the Director of Respiratory Services, Technical Supervisor, Shift Supervisors, provides and administers all aspects of Respiratory Care Therapy and supportive equipment as stated in the Department Policy and Procedure Manual.

A day in the life of an Certified Respiratory Therapist at Hackensack Meridian includes:

• Assists in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of all patients with pulmonary disorders in both critical and non-critical areas pursuant to a prescription of a licensed physician.
• Performs cardiopulmonary evaluation, monitoring, respiratory therapy treatment techniques, respiratory procedures and patients and family education.
• Responsible for the acquisition, analysis and interpretation of data obtained from physiological specimens, performing diagnostic tests, studies and research of the cardiopulmonary system and neurophysiological studies related to respiratory care.
• Administers and/or monitors medical gases, mechanical ventilation support, artificial airway care, bronchopulmonary hygiene, pharmacologic agents related to respiratory care procedures, and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation related and limited to respiratory care.
• Utilizes the application of scientific principles for the identification, prevention, remediation, research, and rehabilitation of acute or chronic cardiopulmonary dysfunction.
• Administers therapeutic Respiratory Care procedures and sets up related Respiratory Care equipment as prescribed by the physician.
• Records all pertinent information of provided therapeutic procedures and patient response in the electronic medical record system, EPIC.
• Sets up, verifies proper function, operates and monitors all invasive and non-invasive respiratory equipment on patients in need of respiratory assistance.
• Participates in the management of patients on life support systems by recommending and performing appropriate changes based on blood gas results and weaning studies.
• Responds to and participates in all emergency and trauma codes.
• Changes and maintains ventilators, ventilator circuits & respiratory equipment in accordance with the Infection Control Policy of the Department Policy and Procedure Manual.
• Runs quality controls on blood gas analyzers.
• Monitors and changes all manifolds, including but not limited to emergency oxygen, nitrous oxide and nitrogen manifold cylinders.
• Retrieves, cleans and assembles all respiratory equipment using disinfecting solutions and cleaning agents in accordance with infection control protocols.
• Identifies the needs of the patient population served and modifies and delivers care that is specific to those needs (i.e., age, culture, language, hearing and/or visually impaired, etc.). This process includes communicating with the patient, and primary caregiver(s) at their level (developmental/age, educational, literacy, etc.).
• Lifts a minimum of 35 lbs., pushes and pulls a minimum of 165 lbs. and stands a minimum of 6 hours a day.
• Adheres to the standards identified in the Medical Center's Organizational competencies.
• Performs other work as requested by the Director or his/her designee.

Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Graduate of an AMA approved Respiratory Care program.
• Associate's degree.
• Comprehensive knowledge of all clinical aspects of Respiratory Care.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• NJ Respiratory Care Practitioner License.
• NJ Certified Respiratory Therapist.
• AHA Basic Health Care Life Support HCP Certification.

Licenses and Certifications Preferred:

• Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification.
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program.
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support Certification.