RespiratoryTherapist

Whether you are a newly graduated respiratory therapist, or a seasoned professional in the field, we'd love the opportunity to speak with you!  Clara Barton offers a family-oriented, dynamic environment, centered around providing great patient care.

PURPOSE:

The therapist is specially trained and experienced in the field of respiratory care and performs diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in all areas of the hospital under the direction of physicians.  This includes medical/surgical unit, emergency room, preop/post op and outpatient areas that treat all ages, from infants to geriatric.  

NATURE AND SCOPE:

Physical Demands:

This position requires full range of body motion including handling, lifting and moving patients, manual and finger dexterity and eye-hand coordination.  It requires standing and walking for extensive periods of time and occasional lifting and carrying items weighing up to 50 pounds.  It also requires corrected vision and hearing to normal range, working under stressful conditions or irregular hours and possible exposure to communicable diseases or bodily fluids.

Functions:

      Full time position but will consider part time or PRN 

• Respiratory therapists are responsible for performing all modalities of respiratory care offered at Clara Barton Hospital.  Review physician orders, analyze patients diagnostic test results and provide appropriate therapy based on patients’ current clinical condition.
• Instruct patients in the use of various respiratory care equipment in a thorough and professionally manner
• Assess patients’ response to therapy
• Documents all treatments and therapies performed and charges for all supplies used
• Good communication skills in reporting outcomes of therapeutic interventions and recommendations to ordering physician or other departments that may be involved in a patients care
• Team member:   Works professionally with other employees, healthcare professionals and student.
• Follows established policies within the hospital
• Performs routine and advanced therapy independently
• The Therapist will perform daily respiratory care duties, including but not limited to providing standard respiratory therapy services, processing daily charges, performing EKGs, setting up and monitoring heart monitors, conducting pulmonary function tests, and providing Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. Responsibilities also include obtaining arterial blood gas (ABG) samples, scheduling outpatient testing, cleaning and maintaining equipment, ordering and stocking supplies, and responding to all medical emergencies. Staff are also required to participate in on-call coverage after normal scheduled hours and must be available to respond to patient care and emergency needs as required.
• Maintain knowledge of current RT practice and current healthcare information.  Fulfills and maintains continuing education requirements for State of Kansas licensure and the NBRC.
• The therapist is required to understand the purpose, expected response, side effects and proper dosages of respiratory medications; understand the results of arterial blood gas determinations and have the capability of making appropriate decisions based on those results;  understand the indications and contraindications of the respiratory therapy modalities; understand airway management of the adult, child and infant; maintain certification in BLS, ACLS, and PALS; be proficient in emergent situations; be capable of performing all special diagnostic procedures; and must be able to convey information in a simple way that all staff can understand.

Principal Accountabilities:

1. Provides routine respiratory therapy and diagnostic testing as ordered by the physician.
2. Educates nursing staff and families on modalities of therapy as needed.
3. Verifies patient charges and documentation of therapy.
4. Interacts and works cooperatively with co-workers, patients, visitors and other staff members encountered.
5. Follows safety and aseptic procedures to ensure a safe, clean environment.
6. Follows confidentiality policies and procedures to assure the integrity of patient care.
7. General knowledge of computers including but not limited to :  electronic documentation, typing and email
8. Critical thinking and problem solving
9. Team player with fellow staff and patient focused attitude 

Measures of Effectiveness:

     The following are indicators of proficient performance in this position:

1. Patients receive their respiratory therapy treatments and tests in a timely manner.
2. The nursing staff and patient families are comfortable with the ordered therapy.
3. The charges and documentation are accurate.
4. A positive image of the hospital is presented through effective human relation skills.
5. A clean, safe environment is maintained.
6. Confidentiality policies and procedures are followed.
7. Team work