What are the responsibilities and job description for the Respiratory Therapist -Respiratory Therapy position at Dartmouth Health?
Provide cardiopulmonary care services in accordance with specific physician orders, and department policies and procedures.
(ACLS) Advanced Cardiac Life Support
Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)
- Maintains knowledge of various methods of oxygen delivery, including knowledge of the necessary equipment.
- Administers respiratory therapy treatments, understands the purpose or each, and possible side effects associated with each.
- Remains alert, assesses possible side effects to oxygen delivery.
- Sets-up and monitors mechanical ventilators and the associated critical care duties required for such treatment, such as airway management and tracheal suctioning.
- Assesses patient pain interfering with optimal level of function or participation in rehabilitation, and makes appropriate nurse or physician contact for intervention.
- Performs arterial punctures to obtain arterial blood samples for blood gas analysis, and understands the possible complications and contraindications associated with the procedure.
- Follows department equipment sterilization procedures.
- Documents all pertinent data on the patient’s medical record following completion of any service.
- Maintains a thorough knowledge of all departmental forms, flow charts, logbooks and their proper usage.
- Performs EKGs, types report interpretations, sends the reports to appropriate physician and files reports in department, according to department procedures.
- Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of the differences in techniques and treatment modalities as performed on patients of varying ages, from neonate to geriatric.
- Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of oxygen concentrations and medication doses as they relate to patients of varying ages, from neonate to geriatric.
- Inspects and tests respiratory therapy equipment to ensure that it is functioning safely and efficiently.
- Formulates a teaching plan based on identified learning needs of a patient and evaluates effectiveness of learning, including patients’ family as appropriate.
- Assesses patient, his/her need, and ability to tolerate treatment and reassesses for response to treatment.
- Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.
- Graduate of an approved School of Respiratory Therapy.
- 3 year minimum experience in respiratory care services.
(ACLS) Advanced Cardiac Life Support
Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)