Respiratory Therapist

Summary :

Provide respiratory therapy to patients as ordered by physician, according to established standards and practices.

Job Responsibilities :

1) Provide respiratory therapy (conventional / routine) to patients as ordered

2) Receive assignment. Check patient chart and physician's orders. Set up equipment and medications and administer treatments as ordered, e.

g. oxygen administration, humidity therapy, airway management, resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, postural drainage procedures, and respiratory monitoring, intermittent positive pressure breathing, Sleep studies, pharmacology respiratory therapy.

Chart treatment, response, and progress.

3) Monitor environmental control systems, others. Deliver and set up equipment and monitor patients on continuous ventilation.

Do nasotracheal and tracheal (endotracheal tube or tracheostomy) suctioning

4) Make patient rounds regularly. Observe patient, check equipment, change / make adjustments as necessary. Solve problems.

Discontinue therapy as ordered. Remove equipment from patient rooms, dissemble, etc.

5) Recognize medical problems and report to physician. Apply emergency protocols as needed or alert supervisor. In the event of cardiac arrest, proceed to location and assist physician with establishment and maintenance of patient airway.

Perform arterial blood analysis, calibrate machine and maintain quality control of arterial blood gases.

6) Make recommendations regarding patient's therapy to physician

7) The individual must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his or her age specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the unit's / area's / department's policies and procedures.

8) Maintain established department policies, procedures, objectives, quality assurance, safety, environmental and infection control.

9) Assist with care and maintenance of department equipment and supplies. Maintain stock levels of supplies. Order medications as needed.

Call for maintenance and repair of equipment (in-house). Alert supervisor to malfunction of equipment. Document maintenance / repair.

10) Maintain department records (patient / other), reports, and files as required.

11) Attend meetings as required. Consult with medical / nursing staff as needed / requested.

12) Enhance professional growth and development through inservice meetings, educational programs, current literature, workshops, etc.

Required Work Experience :

1) Three years experience as respiratory therapy

Preferred Work Experience :

1) None Listed

Skills and Competencies :

1) None Listed