Certified Respiratory Therapist

Description

GENERAL SUMMARY

 According to physician's orders and professional assessment of patient's conditions, administers various types of respiratory treatments, according to established standards and practices using principles essential to infants, pediatrics, adolescents and adult patients.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

 1.         Provides respiratory therapy (conventional/routine) to patients, assist physicians as needed or requested.

 2.         Performs a variety of routine and advanced respiratory therapy to included, but not limited to      proper delivery of USN, Incentive Spirometry, and Aerosol Therapy, pulmonary bedside screening and complete pulmonary testing.  Oxygen delivery, pre and post peak flow measurements and metered dose inhaler (M.D.I.) therapy.

 3.         Administers nebulizer medications as prescribed by the physician.

4.         Performs critical care modalities, such as ventilator care, CPAP/PEEP, airway pressure monitoring and manual resuscitation, wearing parameters.

 5.         Performs arterial blood gases, and co-oxyhemoglobin measurements.

6.         Recognizes medical problems and reports them to the physician.  Applies emergency protocols as needed or alerts supervisor to any outliers.

7.         Instructs patients regarding procedure to be performed; answers any questions they may have and calms any anxieties.

8.         Administers cardio-pulmonary resuscitation in emergency situations as required.

9.         Maintains established department policies, procedures, objectives, CQI, safety,      environmental and infection control.

10. Maintains equipment by ensuring proper operating condition, cleaning, and sterilization.  Maintains stock level of supplies.  Orders medications as needed.  Responsible for the maintenance and repair of equipment.  Alerts manager to malfunction of equipment.  Documents maintenance/repair.

1. 11.       Maintains department records, reports, and files as required.  Completes necessary paperwork which may include, but not limited to filing, charting, and documenting treatments in patient's chart.  Responds to incoming inquiries related to in and out of patients as appropriate, completes required reports and delivers reports as requested.
    
   12.       Attends meetings as required.  Consults with interrelated departments as required.
    
   13.       Performs other duties as assigned.
    
   14.       Performs quality controls on blood gas and co-ox analysis daily.  Performs maintenance as required.
    
   15.       Performs daily charges for patient billing and enters or reprints orders as required using the hospital computer system.
   16.       Documents all patient treatment in the MEDITECH system.

Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES REQUIRED

 1.         Graduate of an approved two-year School of Respiratory Care or equivalent with Certified Respiratory Therapist. Valid State of Illinois Respiratory Care Practitioner License required. CPR certification required.  BLS and ACLS certifications required.

2.         Must be a registered certified therapist with successful completion of the examination offered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).

3.         Three to six months' orientation to learn department procedures and equipment, monitor and evaluate patients and diagnostic reports, determine methods of therapy, and to work with all types of patients.

4.         Analytical ability is required to interpret tests using various techniques, evaluate and recommend the most effective treatment for patient.

 5.         Interpersonal skills needed to comfort patients, explain procedures and allay fears.

6.         A high level of concentration is required when administering CPR and administering treatment to ill and critically ill patients.