Respiratory Therapist

Job Summary:

• The Licensed Respiratory Therapist assesses, implements, and evaluates the delivery of respiratory care services utilizing processes in accordance with hospital standards and department policies for the purpose of monitoring and evaluating patient status.

• Assesses & delivers care/interventions to patients in non-critical care areas within policy with consideration to patient age, cultural, and psychosocial factors.
• Performs computer entry, verifies physician orders, and documents pertinent clinical information.
• Provides accurate documentation in the medical record according to policy.
• Provides care effectively to patients in critical care areas.
• Provides mechanical ventilation, invasive/non-invasive, while monitoring & measuring patient parameters.
• Attends to ventilator maintenance & setting changes, monitoring patient response to setting changes.
• Performs computer entry, verifies physician orders, and documents pertinent clinical information.
• Provides accurate documentation in the medical record according to policy.
• Communicates effectively with the healthcare team and demonstrates professional judgment in response to changing patient or departmental situations.
• As indicated, delegates and supervises tasks to appropriate staff members.
• Acknowledges and demonstrates respect for patients' rights.
• Establishes effective relationships with patients, patients' families, & medical staff utilizing positive customer service skills.
• Consistently maintains communication updates with department.
• Support departmental/hospital goals by attending in-services, meeting department education standards, and completing variance reports.
• Organizes, prioritizes and performs skills appropriate for the patient population.
• Anticipates patient/department needs.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Responds to code blues, RIT/CRIT calls, and transports in a timely manner.
• Participates in mentoring of new personnel.
• Assists in monitoring quality and appropriateness of patient care.
• Participates actively in projects and processes designed to improve patient outcomes.

• Independent judgment in planning sequence of operations and making minor decisions in a complex technical or professional field.

• Coordinates activities of others (does not supervise).
• Leads others in same work performed (does not supervise).
• Works directly with patients and/or customers.
• Works with internal customers via telephone or face to face interaction.
• Works with external customers via telephone or face to face interaction.
• Works with other healthcare professionals and staff.

• This document generally describes the essential functions of the job and the physical demands required to perform the job.
• This compilation of essential functions and physical demands is not all inclusive nor does it prohibit the assignment of additional duties.

Minimum Education:

• Graduate of an accredited Respiratory Care program.

• Valid Oklahoma Provisional / Respiratory Care Practitioner License (RCP) or temporary letter to practice issued by the Oklahoma Medical Board.
• Certified / Registered Respiratory Therapist (CRT/RRT) credential through the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC).
• Basic Life Support (BLS) within 2 months of hire.

• 0 - 6 months related experience.

• Ability to perform: medication administration via nebulizer or metered dose inhaler, humidity and aerosol therapy, medical gas administration, incentive spirometry, Respiratory Mechanics, PEP therapy, pulse oximetry, Chest Physiotherapy, CPR, Mechanical Ventilation, Intubation, Extubating, Suctioning and Bronchoscopy Assist.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to be detail oriented as required in the examination of clinical and numerical data.
• Basic PC skills as required for entering data and performing documentation.