Respiratory Care Therapist

Summary

Job Description:

Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) Lexington, KY

**Unit Description:**The Baptist Health Respiratory Care department helps patients breathe better and live healthier. Our expert team provides personalized care and advanced treatments for many respiratory illnesses such as COPD and asthma. We offer comprehensive pulmonary function testing, advanced ventilator management, asthma and COPD education, 24/7 emergency respiratory care, and are members of the Neonatal Response Team. Our dedicated professionals deliver high-quality, compassionate care using state-of-the-art treatment plans.

JobSummary: Responsible to perform daily Respiratory Care procedures as assigned, which include but are not limited to medication administration via aerosol therapy, oxygen therapy, percussion and postural drainage, noninvasive ventilation, mechanical ventilation, CPR, bedside pulmonary function screening, and arterial blood gases. Able to perform in all emergency situations and provide intubation, if applicable.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Ventilation and Non-Invasive Ventilation Management 

  • Manages and assesses patients on mechanical and non-invasive ventilation.
  • Educates patient and family on issues pertinent to their care on the ventilator.
  • Follows through on pertinent protocols.
  • Manages ventilators for neonatal/pediatrics and adults according to protocol pertinent for each age group.

• Patient care procedures and medication administration 

  • Assesses the appropriateness of therapy and makes recommendations.
  • Performs, assesses, and instructs the effective administration of oxygen, aerosol medications,

  humidification, suctioning, and chest physiotherapy.

  • Takes and records verbal orders for respiratory care procedures.

• Arterial Blood Gases 

  • Obtains, processes, and reports results without direct supervision.

Essential Job Functions:  

• Adheres to all departmental policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Serves as a knowledgeable resource for nursing staff, physicians, students, and new respiratory staff.
• Participates in quality improvement initiatives by evaluating performance and recommending enhancements.
• Responds promptly to all respiratory care requests and emergency pages.
• Supports staff development through education and training programs.