Registered Respiratory Therapist

Job Description

Job Summary:

• The Respiratory Therapist RRT provides advanced-level respiratory care to patients designed to diagnose, evaluate, treat, manage, and control deficiencies or abnormalities of the cardiopulmonary system within the prescription of the ordering physician.
• This position acts as a resource to the CRT staff.
• The RRT may be responsible for special clinical projects or assignments as designated by leadership according to the needs of the department.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Performs, interprets, and evaluates diagnostic testing procedures according to protocol.
• Obtains arterial gases.
• Oversees and troubleshoots the operation of equipment for optimal patient care.
• Initiates Respiratory Protocol according to department criteria.
• Initiates interventions based on the interpretation of assessments.
• Administers medications in a timely and safe manner.
• Evaluates effect and re-evaluates appropriately and according to protocol.
• Ensures that the progress of patient is communicated to staff, physicians and other departments.
• Maintains awareness of assigned patients overall condition.
• Communicates and shares patient information with the physicians and nurses.
• Makes appropriate recommendations for patient care.
• Recognizes the educational needs of patients and families in relation to health promotion and wellness.
• Teaches patients and families self-care techniques and modalities.
• Completes documentation according to departmental standards.
• Accurately documents productivity information.
• Monitors supplies and equipment and notifies the appropriate person when supplies are low, out on loan or broken.
• Utilizes time effectively to achieve productivity standard, including utilizing low census time when patient load does not support full productivity.
• Participates in quality and patient safety initiatives.
• Identifies potential areas for improvement including processes that could be streamlined or revised to improve patient satisfaction.
• Identifies potential safety hazards that may create problems for patients and/or staff and takes appropriate actions.
• Participates in departmental meetings, contributing ideas or feedback.
• Promotes mission, vision, and values and abides by service behavior standards.
• May be required to float to other departments (within Product of competency and qualifications) based on business need.
• May be required to be placed on-call during a regularly scheduled shift.

Required Education:

• Graduate of AMA approved program for Respiratory Therapy.

Required Certifications & Licensure:

• Current license for Respiratory Therapy in the state of practice.
• Registered Respiratory Therapist.
• Health Care Provider Life Support certification.
• ACLS is required for critical care Additional may be required for specialty areas (PALS, NALS, etc.)

Physical Requirements:

• Ongoing need for employee to see and read information, labels, assess patient needs, operate monitors, identify equipment and supplies.
• Frequent interactions with patient care providers, patients, and visitors that require employee to verbally communicate as well as hear and understand spoken information, alarms, needs, and issues quickly and accurately, particularly during emergency situations.
• Manual dexterity of hands and fingers to manipulate complex and delicate equipment with precision and accuracy.
• This includes frequent computer use and typing for documenting patient care, accessing needed information, medication preparation, etc.
• Expected to lift and utilize full range of movement to transfer patients.
• Will also bend to retrieve, lift, and carry supplies and equipment.
• Typically includes items of varying weights, up to and including heavy items.
• Need to walk and assist with transporting/ambulating patients and obtaining and distributing supplies and equipment.
• This includes pushing/pulling gurneys and portable equipment, including heavy items.
• Often required to navigate crowded and busy rooms (full of equipment, power cords on the floor, etc).
• May be expected to stand in a stationary position for an extended period of time.