What are the responsibilities and job description for the RESP THERAPIST REGISTERED position at Insight?
Respiratory Therapist, or Registered Respiratory Therapist, is responsible for monitoring and treating patients with temporary or chronic respiratory conditions like asthma, COPD, pneumonia, bronchitis or emphysema. Duties include interviewing patients and completing diagnostic tests to determine their respiratory conditions, communicating with Physicians and Nurses to develop patient treatment plans and administering respiratory treatments to patients based on their conditions.
- Perform chest examinations on a range of patients from babies through to the elderly
- Consult with doctors and other healthcare staff to develop and modify patient treatment plans
- Provide detailed therapy, requiring significant independent judgment, like when caring for patients in intensive care
- Perform physical examination and diagnostic tests measuring lung capacity and blood acidity and alkalinity
- Treat patients using oxygen or oxygen mixtures, aerosol medications and chest physiotherapy
- Connect patients who can’t breathe to a ventilator
- Educate patients on how to use equipment and medication
- Regularly check on patients and equipment
- Monitoring patient physiological responses to therapy such as arterial blood gases, vital signs or blood chemistry, and lung function changes, and consulting with physicians if there are adverse reactions.
- Working as part of a team of health care professionals to manage patient care by assisting with medical procedures.
- Setting up and operating devices including therapeutic gas administration apparatus, mechanical ventilators, environmental control systems, and aerosol generators.
- Following specified parameters of treatment.
- Providing emergency care, such as external cardiac massage, artificial respiration, or assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Respiratory Therapist Qualifications / Skills:
- Bedside manner
- Physiological knowledge
- Infection control
- Health promotion and maintenance
- Creating a safe, effective environment
- Informing others
- Verbal communication
- Medical teamwork
- Judgment
- Procedural skills
- People skills
Respiratory Therapist Requirements:
- Completion of an accredited respiratory therapy program or technical college course for respiratory therapy.
- Registration or certification by the national board for respiratory Care (NBRC).
- Current RCP license in the state of practice.
- Current RN or LPN license in the state of practice.
- Respiratory care, emergency care, and intensive care experience.
- Must possess a valid and current driver license and auto insurance.
- Current BLS and/or CPR certification from the American Heart Association or American Red Cross.
- Strong knowledge of pulmonary function and pulmonary rehabilitation.
- Experience with respiratory equipment.