Responsible for working with the Physician, nurses, and other health team members to deliver medication, promote bronchial hygiene, manage mechanical ventilators, and monitor oxygenation status of our patients.
- 2 year / Associate Degree in Respiratory Therapy (Required)
- 1 - 2 years Respiratory Therapy (Preferred)
Required:
- Georgia Composite Board license Respiratory Care Professional
- National Board Respiratory Care (NBRC) Registered Respiratory Therapist
Adult Respiratory Care: Required
- American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS)
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
- Pediatric Life Support (PALS) obtained within 12 months
NICU Respiratory Care: Required
- American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS)
- Neonatal Resuscitation (NRP)
- Pediatric Life Support (PALS) obtained within 120 days
PERFORMANCE OF INVASIVE RESPIRATORY PROCEDURES:
- Respiratory Therapists will perform invasive procedures including endotracheal intubation
- ABG and Art line insertion only after being deemed competent following the correct policy and procedure
- Completes competency check off following approved policy before performing invasive procedures
- Knowledge of difficult intubation procedures such as use of Difficult Intubation cart and Glidescope
- Proper arterial line procedure is followed
- Proper arterial blood gas procedure is followed
- Proper Endotracheal intubation procedure is followed
ASSESSMENT, TREATMENT AND REEVALUATION:
- Provides or recommends care based on the patient's condition and needs
- Identifies expected outcomes and plan based on diagnoses or issues
- Treats patients and families with compassion and follows physician orders
- Adapts communication style, listens and responds to patient needs
- Recognizes age-specific responses to treatment
- Provides effective interventions
- Respects patients confidentiality, privacy and social, spiritual, and cultural needs
- Modifies expected outcomes based on changes in the assessment of the patient
MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION:
- Always provides accurate medication and dosage to the correct patient at the correct time
- Checks patient orders before acquiring meds from Omnicell
- Gives and receives accurate and effective hand off
- Pulls meds from Omnicell, one shift at a time, and places in a plastic bag with the correct patient's sticker
- Correctly identifies patient, drug, dosage and time by scanning the patient armband
- Operates medication devices following correct technique to ensure optimal drug delivery
- Keeps bags with medications in large clip boards in their possession at all times until given
USE OF ELECTRONIC DOCUMENTATION SYSTEMS:
- Employees must become competent at accurate and efficient documentation in an electronic system
- Accurately documents all pertinent information regarding patient services rendered
- Makes corrections to errors following proper time frame and process
- Documents services rendered as soon after as possible
MECHANICAL VENTILATION:
- Respiratory Therapists must complete a competency validation and complete an effective orientation to mechanical ventilation before placing and operating mechanical ventilators on patients
- Effectively completes an orientation for set up and ventilator management before operating on patients
- Demonstrates knowledge of ventilator management
- Demonstrates knowledge of ventilator weaning and discontinuation
- Demonstrates knowledge of proper troubleshooting of ventilator performance
- Demonstrates effective critical thinking skills
- Adheres to the hospital and departmental attendance and punctuality guidelines
- Performs all job responsibilities in alignment with the core values, mission and vision of the organization
- Performs other duties as required and completes all job functions as per departmental policies and procedures
- Maintains current knowledge in present areas of responsibility (i.e., self education, attends ongoing educational programs)
- Attends staff meetings and completes mandatory in-services and requirements and competency evaluations on time
- Demonstrates competency at all levels in providing care to all patients based on age, sex, weight, and demonstrated needs
- For non-clinical areas, has attended training and demonstrates usage of age-specific customer service skills
- Wears protective clothing and equipment as appropriate