Respiratory Therapist

Job Description

Job Summary:

• Under direction and general medical supervision, administers respiratory therapy to patients; performs the most difficult and complex respiratory treatments, electrocardiography testing and cardiopulmonary services and medical diagnostic procedures at client and at assigned health care locations that may include skilled nursing facilities, home care, clinics and physician offices.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Administers IPPB therapy.
• Performs humidity and aerosol therapy.
• Administers medical gas and pulmonary drainage procedures.
• Performs cardiorespiratory resuscitation, electrocardiography testing, and related procedures.
• Administers aerosolized drugs.
• Provides continuous mechanical ventilation; maintains artificial airways.
• Performs more complex pulmonary function testing.
• Performs arterial blood gas sampling.
• Cleans and prepares equipment; performs routine mechanical maintenance on respiratory therapy equipment.
• Makes periodic and emergency checks on respiratory therapy equipment installations.
• Operates analyzers to determine saturation of oxygen and other gases in the blood.
• Serves as a knowledge resource to the physician and hospital staff in relation to the technical aspects of respiratory care and the effectiveness of methods to administer safe respiratory therapy.
• Provides suggestions regarding the patients’ treatment and pulmonary progress; instructs the patient and his family in the use of equipment and techniques involved in self care; provides instruction to patients and family in the nature of cardiorespiratory disease and its ramifications.
• Develops individual exercise routines, bronchial clearing procedures, evaluation and monitoring techniques for each patient.
• Implements infection control and demonstrates knowledge of aseptic techniques.
• Responds to emergency calls throughout the hospital.
• Documents care given; maintains records of treatment given; generates necessary documents for charges or record keeping.
• Conducts quality assurance monitors.
• Dependent upon area of practice or department assignments, demonstrates clinical knowledge and skill in the care of the newborn, infant, toddler, child, adolescent, adult and geriatric patient ranging up to 100+ years of age.
• Assists with maintenance and processing of equipment and products used in providing cardiopulmonary services.
• Assists with bronchoscopies.
• Provides assistance in cardiorespiratory rehabilitation.
• Participates in training and supervision of new employees; assists in the instruction of nursing personnel in surveillance of patient and equipment after initial installation.
• Performs other job-related functions as required.

Education:
Registration:

• Registered with the National Board for Respiratory Care as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).

Licensure:

• Possession of a valid, current license as a Respiratory Care Practitioner, issued by the State of California.
• Depending on assignment incumbents may be required to possess and maintain specific certificates of competency as a condition of employment.
• Possession of a Class C California Driver’s License may be required by assignment to off-site locations.

Certifications required:

• BLS.
• ACLS.
• PALS.

Skills:

• Operating principles of commonly used types of ventilators and respiratory care equipment, including intermittent positive pressure breathing apparatus, nebulizers, humidifiers and oxygen analyzers; cardiopulmonary physiology, electrocardiography testing and related equipment used in testing and diagnostic studies, the chemistry of gases in respiratory therapy and the symptoms common to patients suffering respiratory ailments.
• Learn and conduct diagnostic tests such as EEG, EKG, Pulmonary Function and Echocardiograms.
• Explain and teach others the fundamentals of respiratory therapy, cardiopulmonary services, electrocardiography testing and related procedures; the use of respiratory equipment and how to adjust the equipment to individual patient needs.
• Implement goal oriented ventilator management with close interaction with physicians and nurses.
• Interpret arterial blood gas results and recommend appropriate action so timely therapy changes can be made.
• Understand hospital routine and organization.
• Work with medical staff and patients.