RESPIRATORY THERAPIST

Position Summary:
Under the general supervision of the Respiratory Department Supervisor, the respiratory therapist (RT) accomplishes the Respiratory Therapy Department’s strategic objectives by planning, organizing, and completing the assigned functions required to operate and maintain departmental activities and services. Maintains confidentiality of all privileged information. 

The RT is an individual who is trained in the technical aspects of respiratory care and will exhibit those skills by providing routine and critical care functions and diagnostic procedures to patients of all ages, as ordered by a Physician, in accord with hospital and departmental policies and procedures, while maintaining acceptable professional standards and practices.

This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only of the tasks performed by this position and is not all-inclusive.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
•    Routine respiratory therapy modes. The RT will deliver routine respiratory modes per physician orders and department policy. The RT will implement any pertinent standing order per department policy and will communicate with the physician and other care providers about the indications, hazards, and alternatives for respiratory care. The RT will administer all therapy with a correct understanding of the following.       
•    Available equipment 
•    Objectives
•    Indications  
•    Contraindications/hazards
•    Treatment of information required                                    
•    Alternative therapies   
•    Medication actions, delivery modes, hazards, contraindications, and adverse side effects
•    Advanced Respiratory Therapy Modes: The RT will initiate, monitor, maintain, and discontinue, invasive and noninvasive mechanical life support, assist in establishing and maintaining artificial airways for patients of all age groups in partnership with physicians and other care providers. Performs weaning parameters, extubation, and evaluates need for further airway support.
•    Patient Monitoring: The RT will correctly implement, monitor, troubleshoot and interpret invasive and noninvasive physiological monitoring and testing systems for assessment of the patient cardiorespiratory system. This includes but is not limited to:
•    EKGS
•    Bedside Spirometry
•    Oximetry
•    End Tidal CO2 Monitoring
•    Mixed Venous Oximetry
•    Mechanical Ventilator Parameters
•    Oxygen rounds
•    Arterial Blood Gases/ Capillary Blood Gases: The RT will understand the hazards, indications, and procedures for drawing arterial samples for assessment of the patient cardiorespiratory system. The RT will be capable of interpreting ABG results, implementing and recommending the appropriate actions.
•    Documentation: The RT will follow department hospital policy for documentation. All                   required regulatory, financial, and assessment documentation will be completed in a    timely manner.
•    Equipment maintenance and supply: The RT will assist with maintaining, processing, and restocking of any, and all supplies required for the departments function.
•    Infection Control: The RT will adhere to department and hospital protocols for infection control. This includes but is not limited to:
•    Hand washing
•    Proper equipment assembly and reprocessing and change out
•    Use of personal protective equipment
•    Observation of Isolation Protocols
•    Communication: The RT is responsible for communicating all pertinent information for patient care and department operations to all the appropriate people. This includes but is not limited to:
•    The patient and family
•    Physicians and other care providers
•    Coworkers
•    Department leadership
•    Staff is expected to attend in-services and department meetings.
•    RT Protocol: The RT is responsible for initiating, assessing, implementing, and following   the departments Respiratory Care Protocols in collaboration with the physician and other care providers.
•    Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) /Rapid Response Team (RRT) / Code Blue: 
•    The RT is responsible for:
•    Management of Airway
•    Initiating CPR/Code Blue
•    Responds to all Code Blue/Disaster calls
•    Participates and responds to all RRTs
•    Stocking and assemble of airway/resuscitation supplies as required
•    Assigned Duties: the RT will perform any other duties as assigned within scope of practice.
•    Staff /Client Relations: The RT will:
•    Respect cultural diversity
•    Employ interpreters as needed
•    Act collaboratively with physicians, other care providers, the patient and their   family
•    Employ age specific communication and teaching strategies
•    Advocate for client tights as needed
•    Interact professionally with coworkers and promote interdepartmental teamwork
•    Safety Courtesy Effectiveness Stewardship 
 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduate of an A.M.A. / JR. CTE-accredited school for Respiratory Therapy.
• Associate of Science Degree in Respiratory Care/Therapy.
• Two (2) years of clinical experience in general and critical respiratory care.
• Arizona state licensure as a Respiratory Care Practitioner (preferred).
• National Board of Respiratory Care license as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) (required).
• Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) preferred.
• Current American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification, Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification, and American Academy of Pediatrics Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NPR) Certification required..
• Bilingual skills in English and Navajo language preferred.
• Must be able to successfully pass Employee Health Program requirements and background investigation.

Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills:

• As you go about fulfilling this mission, your work habits and work relationships should embody Sage Memorial Hospital values. These values are our culture, our identity as an organization. Sacred Trust, Personal Reverence, Thoughtful Anticipation, Team Accountability and Creative Vitality ask more of us than merely completing some list of tasks. Our values ask for a deeper level of commitment, and what is asked of us we freely give because we believe in our mission.
• Knowledge of applicable tribal, federal, state, county, and local laws, regulations, 
• Ability to speak the Navajo language and/or familiarity with the Navajo Way.
• Ability to create and present effective speeches and presentations.
• Ability to analyze situations and adopt appropriate courses of action.
• Ability to work independently and meet strict timelines.
• Ability to take on-call duties as assigned.
• Ability to demonstrate excellence in everything, and continually seek improvement in results.
• Ability to interpret applicable federal, state, county, and local laws, regulations, and requirements.
• Skill in operating business computers and office machines, including in a Windows environment, specifically Word, Excel, Access, and presentation software (such as PowerPoint).
• Skill in preparing, reviewing, and analyzing reports.

Physical Demands:

• The RT will recognize that potential exposure to blood-borne pathogens and/or hazardous materials, noxious/irritating fumes, long hours, and unforeseen conditions that might generate stress may be encountered. 
• The RT will recognize that physical demands such as extensive walking, frequent standing, lifting, bending, positioning, and re-positioning, pushing, and/or transferring of patients may be required. 
• The RT will have sufficient correctable visual and auditory acuity to safely perform their job duties. 
• The RT will practice Respiratory Care within established standards of care. 
• The RT will take calls as assigned.

Mental Demands:

• Contacts often require tact and sensitivity, as those related to stressful situations such as death, end of life, and catastrophic illnesses.
• Must be able to prioritize and use good judgment.
• Must multitask and interact with a wide variety of people at various times and may be on complicated issues.

Work Environment:
Work is generally performed in an office setting with a low to moderate noise level. Bedside care is also performed, which may include physical and mental demands. Extended hours and irregular shifts may be required.