Respiratory Therapist

Patient Assessment and Diagnosis :

• Respiratory therapists interview patients and perform diagnostic tests to determine their respiratory conditions.
• They work with people of all ages, from infants to the elderly.
• Common conditions they address include asthma, COPD, pneumonia, bronchitis, and emphysema.

Treatment Planning and Administration :

• They collaborate with physicians and nurses to develop patient treatment plans.
• Administer respiratory treatments based on patient conditions.
• Treatments may involve oxygen therapy, aerosol medications, and chest physiotherapy.
• They also connect patients to ventilators when necessary.

Monitoring and Education :

• Regularly check on patients and equipment.
• Educate patients on using equipment and medications effectively

Clinical Competency :

• Respiratory therapists must stay informed about technological advances in their field.
• They integrate respiratory care with other providers to achieve optimal results.
• Proper documentation of patient records and department logs is essential.

Age-Specific Care :

• They assess, plan, implement, and evaluate care for patients across different age groups (neonatal, pediatric, adolescent, adult, geriatric).
• Consider physical, motor / sensory adaptation, cognitive, and psychosocial needs specific to the population being served.

Authority and Responsibilities :

• Respiratory therapists have the authority to perform and evaluate respiratory care.
• They can initiate CPR and contact physicians as needed.

Experience :

A minimum of 2 years’ full-time experience in Respiratory Care within a critical care setting is required.

License Requirements :

• Should be able to obtain and maintain a State of Nevada Board of Medical Examiners Respiratory Care Practitioner License .
• Must hold the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential from the National Board of Respiratory Care .
• State of Nevada Point of Care Analyst License :

Certifications :

• Current AHA BLS (Basic Life Support) certification is required.
• AHA ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support) and PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) certifications are also required within 6 months .
30+ days ago