Registered Respiratory Therapist

Overview

The Respiratory Therapist is responsible for the administration of services offered by the Respiratory Therapy Department.

Special Instructions

Full time Day Shift

Responsibilities

• Reads physician's orders to determine requirements for treatment.
• Upon the request of a physician provides assessment of the patient and recommends appropriate respiratory care.
• Takes and records pulse rate, respiratory rate, and breath sounds when patient is being treated.
• Prepares patient for procedures and/or treatment by explaining treatment and/or procedures.
• Delivers prescribed procedure and/or treatment to the patient.
• Observes patient during treatments or procedures and monitors equipment to assure that proper function to maximize patient safety.
• Notifies nursing department or physician of adverse reactions to treatment and documents reaction in patient's chart.
• Prepares and maintains patient chart per departmental policy.
• Inspects and tests all equipment prior to use.
• Teaches in an in-service capacity.
• Participates in Quality Assessment and Improvement for the Respiratory Therapy Department.
• Orders medications, supplies and equipment.
• Responds to all "Code Blues" to assist Medical personnel by administering urgent respiratory therapy.
• Assigns cases to Respiratory Technicians and assures that procedures are performed in an efficient manner and per policy. Evaluates procedures and methods of Technicians.
• Orients new Respiratory Technicians.
• Interviews applicants and recommends hiring, promotion, disciplining, and termination of Respiratory Therapy Technicians.
• Solves technical problems and answers questions for Respiratory Therapy Technicians.
• Performs other duties as required.

Qualifications

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE:

• Associate Degree in Respiratory Therapy.
• Certified by American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC).
• Supervisory experience in Respiratory Therapy preferred.
• Performs other duties as required.

POSITION PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must possess the physical ability needed to exert 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally; and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently; and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for light work.