Job Summary

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.

Qualifications

• 2 year/Associate Degree in Respiratory Therapy (Required)

Work Experience

• 1 - 2 years Respiratory Therapy (Required)

Licenses and Certifications

Required Certifications/Licensures:

• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
• Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) NICU RRT only

Essential Functions

EFFECTIVE AND ACCURATE 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.
• Uses the Admin Rx hand held to correctly identify patient, drug, dosage and time.
• Operates medication devices following correct technique to ensure optimal drug delivery.
• After pulling meds from Omnicell, places medication in plastic bag that has the patient's sticker on it.
• Keeps bags with medications in large clip boards in their possession at all times until given.

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.

SET UP, MAINTENANCE AND DISCONTINUATION OF 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.
• Demonstrates effective patient assessment and reassessment.

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.
• Charges correctly for services rendered.
• Makes corrections to errors following proper time frame and process.
• Documents services rendered as soon after as possible.

ASSESSMENT AND DIAGNOSIS

• Collects data in a systematic and ongoing process.
• Issues are identified and diagnoses are developed based on assessment data.
• Prioritizes data collection based on the patient's condition and needs.
• Identifies expected outcomes and plan based on diagnoses or issues.

CARE PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION

• Develops an individualized plan with strategies that address diagnoses.
• Provides for continuity through a plan that directs other members of the team.
• Implements the plan in a safe and timely manner.
• Documents implementation and includes changes or omissions of the identified plan.
• Consults with healthcare providers and makes referrals as appropriate.
• Utilizes appropriate community resources and systems to implement the plan.

CARE PROCESSES

• Treats patients and families with compassion and implements plan of care.
• Bases care decisions on plan of care.
• Monitors and documents patient response.
• Establishes rapport with clients.
• Adapts communication style, listens and responds to patient needs.
• Recognizes age-specific responses to treatment.
• Provides effective interventions.
• Respects patients confidentiality and privacy.
• Supports social, spiritual, and cultural needs of patients and families.
• Manages difficult or emotional patient situations.

DOCUMENTATION

• Documents and submits required information and data in a timely fashion.
• Clearly and accurately documents designated processes, policies, products, service offerings, etc.
• Ensures that documentation is tailored to expected readers/users.
• Uses correct terminology.
• Conforms to required style and format.

OUTCOMES AND EVALUATIONS

• Develops expected outcomes that provide direction for continuity of care.
• Involves patient/family and other disciplines to determine expected outcomes.
• Modifies expected outcomes based on changes in the assessment of the patient.
• Includes the patient and others involved in the care in the evaluation process.
• Evaluates the plan in relation to patient responses and expected outcomes.
• Documents the results of the evaluation.

TECHNOLOGY AND EQUIPMENT USE II

• Develops expected outcomes that provide direction for continuity of care.
• Involves patient/family and other disciplines to determine expected outcomes.
• Modifies expected outcomes based on changes in the assessment of the patient.
• Includes the patient and others involved in the care in the evaluation process.
• Evaluates the plan in relation to patient responses and expected outcomes.
• Documents the results of the evaluation.

Additional Duties

• 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.