Respiratory Therapist II

Job Description

Job Summary:

• The Respiratory Therapist shall provide professional respiratory care for inpatients and outpatients following established standards and procedures as outlined in departmental policy/procedure manuals and professional licensing agencies.
• Routine duties will include initiation, monitoring and maintenance of oxygen therapy, aerosolized medications, airway management, mechanical ventilation, noninvasive ventilation, continuous pulse oximetry and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
• The Respiratory Therapist will be expected to drive implementation and maintain all departmental protocols.
• Other duties will include but are not limited to pulmonary function testing, bronchoscopic procedures, pulmonary rehabilitation, patient/family education and equipment cleaning and processing.
• All treatment and diagnostic modalities are tailored to meet the needs of each specific age group.
• Contacts: The respiratory therapist is in daily contact with patients, family members, fellow therapists, physicians, nurses, support staff, other allied health workers and outside vendors.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Demonstrates acceptable competency levels in bedside therapeutic and diagnostic respiratory care modalities as outlined in the departmental Product of Services and policy/procedure manuals (Includes assessment and documentation).
• Maintains a minimum level of competency to perform tests and procedures not routinely performed on a daily basis.
• Bronchoscopy set up and assist (emergency bedside and percutaneous tracheostomy).
• Pulmonary rehabilitation.
• Assures accurate departmental patient activity and charge records.
• Acts as a resource and preceptor for new RT staff members and other disciplines as well as participates in community health initiatives, new staff orientation (All disciplines), Community Health Fairs.
• Ensures adequate amount of staffing during the shift utilizing units of service and complexity of care identified.
• Ensures an adequate amount of equipment is available for the shift (i.e. BIPAP, ventilators).
• Notifies lead therapist of any staffing needs/changes and equipment issues.
• Performs other job duties and responsibilities as required.

Product of Services and policy/procedure manuals (Includes assessment and documentation), these include but are not limited to:

• Bronchodilator therapy using small volume nebulizers and metered dose inhalers.
• Arterial blood gas analysis.
• Implementing and maintaining departmental protocols.
• Supplemental oxygen therapy.
• Mechanical ventilation initiation and maintenance.
• Non-Invasive ventilation.
• Adult/Pediatric emergency codes.
• High risk delivery and Level II nursery response.
• Baseline pulmonary functions.
• Intra-hospital transports.

Experience:

• RRT credential or 5 years post graduation experience with CRT credential.
• Client Hospital: At least 1 year experience with RRT strongly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrates a high level of knowledge in cardiopulmonary physiology.
• Demonstrates a high level of understanding of the theory of operation of all respiratory care related equipment.
• Maintains competency in the clinical application of therapeutic and diagnostic procedures outlined in the departmental Product of services.
• Effectively communicates verbally and over the telephone with co-workers, physicians, nurses, patient, patient family members and the public.
• Demonstrates understanding and clinical application of infection control techniques and equipment cleaning and processing.

Licensure/Certification:

• Registered (RRT) or Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
• Licensed by the Board of Medical Examiners of S.C. Must have a current American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Provider Card.
• ACLS, NRP (within 90 days of employment) if applicable for job assignment.

Physical Demands/Work Environment:

• Frequent standing, walking, bending, crouching, stooping.
• Frequent lifting/moving patients.
• Intermittent lifting, moving or carrying, pushing or pulling up to 50 lbs.
• Frequent use of finger/hand dexterity.
• Constant reaching with hands/arms.
• Frequent talking or hearing.
• Corrected hearing and vision to normal range.
• Exposure to blood, body fluids or tissue.
• Possible exposure to infectious materials, communicable diseases and/or other conditions common to a healthcare environment.
• Intermittent exposure to risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
• Moderate noise level in work area.
• Requires work under stressful conditions, deadlines, or irregular hours.
• May be required to take call and/or work weekends/holidays based on the needs of the department.