Respiratory Therapist

Job Summary

Monitors and ensures proper operation and functioning of respiratory therapy equipment. Monitors patients physiological parameters during therapy. Administers medical gases and aerosolized drugs.

Essential Responsibilities

• Initiates therapy under a Physicians order and makes appropriate recommendations for modalities of Therapy.
• Implements therapy for, and monitors patients while on continuous mechanical ventilators and all modes of positive pressure breathing devices.
• Utilizes clinical and other data to assess cardiopulmonary status of patients.
• Assists in intubation.
• Provides bedside spirometry.
• Evaluates ventilator dependent patients' readiness to wean.
• Administers humidified medical gases as ordered by practitioners with authority to prescribe.
• Interprets blood gas results.
• Consults attending physician/practitioner regarding appropriate therapy.
• Performs arterial punctures.
• Withdraws blood samples from indwelling lines.
• Provides ventilatory support during special procedures.
• Coordinates transport of ventilatory equipment.
• Implements and monitors care of patients on heated aerosols and CPAP as per practitioner order.
• Develops good working relationships with laboratory, x-ray, infection control, nursing, physicians and other healthcare workers to maintain optimum total patient care.
• Cleans and maintains all respiratory therapy equipment.
• Assists in maintaining adequate inventory of respiratory supplies.
• Conducts quality control tests on all respiratory equipment.
• Maintains equipment in safe, workable order; Requests repair when necessary.
• Participates in continuous quality improvement teams as required.
• Monitors esophageal pressures, swan ganz catheter data, CVP, arterial blood pressures, electrolytes, fluid balance and intravascular volumes as they pertain to respiratory patients.
• Performs chest physiotherapy, manual ventilation and suctioning.
• Positions patients to facilitate respiration.
• Performs tracheostomy care and mouth care on intubated/trached patients.
• Changes tracheostomy tube as ordered.
• Performs electroencephalogram as ordered.
• This includes taking measurements of the head, placement of electrodes, acquisition of data, monitoring of vital signs.
• Performs polysomnography as ordered for sleep studies.
• Documents pertinent information in medical record.
• Documents care provided in medical record.
• Monitors disease processes, arterial and venous catheter placement and endotracheal tube placement via chest x-ray.
• Communicates pertinent patient information to physicians, practitioners and nurses as appropriate.
• Participates in patient rounds with Pulmonologist/Intensivist/Neonatologist.
• Responds to and participates in Code Blue as part of Code team/RRT Team.
• Able to instruct patient and family on disease processes and treatments provided by Respiratory Therapy in accordance with the hospital patient/family education policies and procedures.
• Assumes on-call status as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

Experience

Basic Qualifications:

• Completion of a clinical rotation in critical care/intensive care environment, to include care of respiratory needs of acutely ill patients.
  
  

Education

• Associates degree with major in Respiratory Therapy OR a certificate of completion from a Respiratory Care Program.
  
  

License, Certification, Registration

• Respiratory Therapist License (Hawaii) required at hire.
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program required at hire from American Academy of Pediatrics
• Basic Life Support required at hire.
• Registered Respiratory Therapist Certificate within 3 months of hire from National Board of Respiratory Care
  
  

Additional Requirements

• Demonstrated knowledge of and skill in written communication, oral communication, interpersonal relations, customer service, decision making, problem solving, and teamwork.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with NICU (neonatal intensive care) and cardiac surgery patient.