RESPIRATORY THERAPIST

Summary

Provides respiratory care as assigned. Serves as a resource to healthcare providers in relation to technical and therapeutic aspects of Respiratory Care.

Essential Responsibilities and Duties

1. Performs respiratory care procedures (i.e. medical gas therapy, bland/medicated aerosol therapies, Broncho pulmonary hygiene) per established department policy and procedures.
2. Monitors patient responses and modifies therapies based on clinical/physiologic assessments and consultation with physicians.
3. Reads and evaluates physician's orders. Applies mechanical ventilator support of patients and monitors patient's response.
4. Modifies ventilator management to meet patient needs, based on clinical assessment, physiologic monitoring, laboratory data and consultation with the physician.
5. Performs invasive and non-invasive physiologic procedures (i.e., blood gas analysis, TCM, EtCO2, etc.) as established policy and procedures indicate.
6. Participates in the development and modification of respiratory care plans and therapeutic goals for patients with cardiopulmonary diseases.
7. Provides direct assistance to the physician and Code Team in cardiac / respiratory arrest situations; with primary responsibilities being patient airway and blood gas analysis. Member of the Rapid Response Team.
8. Provides advanced emergency airway care (i.e. intubation, tracheal suctioning, etc.) according to approved protocols.
9. Provides specialized patient therapy, and monitor, develop treatment plan, manage emergencies for those patients with cardio-respiratory failure and on ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation).
10. Interprets basic EKG tracings and documents clinical assessment.

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Respiratory Therapy is required.

Experience Required

Grade 08:

Two (2) years of related experience is required.

Grade 09:

• Four (4) years as Respiratory Therapist at KFSH&RC, or (Grade 8) related experience is required is required.
• Average of annual performance appraisal at least (3.5) for the last four (4) years.
• Fifty (50) hours of cumulative continued medical education CME .

Other Requirements (Certificates)

• Current Registration from country of origin and Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCHS) is required.
• Respiratory Therapy Registry (RRT) from NBRC or CSRT is required for North American graduates.
• Advanced Life Support Course (ACLS) certification; is required for staff covering ADULT patients.
• Paediatric Life Support Course (PALS) certification; is required for staff covering NEO/PED patients.
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification; is required for staff covering NEO/PED patients.
• Endotracheal intubation training preferred.