(Archived) Respiratory Therapist

This position is held by a Respiratory Therapist who possesses the knowledge and skill to administer all forms of respiratory care and treatment to our patients. This position works closely with the Director and Clinical Coordinator of Respiratory/ Pulmonary Services and is responsible for additional departmental functions as requested. These functions may include but are not limited to: (1) organization of shift responsibilities among staff members, (2) departmental education for staff members, students, and other hospital professionals as requested, (3) participate in orientation of new staff members, (4) In the absence of the Director or Clinical Coordinator, address department related issues ensuring the needs of our patients are met.

Requirements:

Education: Graduate of a 2-yr Associate degree or 4-yr Bachelor degree Respiratory Therapy program approved by the NBRC

Skills:

Experience: Must have training in all aspects of respiratory patient care for adults, children and infants.

Must display effective written and verbal communication skills, in addition to basic computer skills

Certification/License: Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner by the State of New Jersey

Registered Respiratory Therapist with NBRC credential, or eligible

American Heart BLS Certification

American Heart ACLS certification within the first year of hire (part time or full time)

Essential Functions of the Job:

1. Adult, Pediatric and Neonatal ventilation: provide continuous mechanical ventilator support and monitoring for various specific age groups of patients, provide necessary support when transported throughout medical center to testing areas or patient care units, ensure patient needs will be supported when transferred to alternative facilities
2. Provide non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (Bipap/CPAP) when indicated
3. Access the patient’s disease process and collaborate with the physician and nursing to modify therapy when necessary
4. Provide patient/family education on respiratory equipment or services patient will be utilizing when discharged, infection control practices, cleaning of equipment, patient’s disease process and what to expect, and smoking cessation programs available (if necessary)
5. Assist with discharge planning of the pulmonary impaired patient.
6. Administer aerosolized medications, provide hyperinflation and bronchial hygiene therapy. These include, but are not limited to, PEP therapy, Metaneb therapy, Vest therapy, chest physiotherapy, percussion therapy, and incentive spirometry.
7. Assess effectiveness of therapy, recognize and report variations or questionable applications.
8. Teach patients of all ages with all types of disabilities and medical problems.
9. Patient monitoring – perform continuous monitoring of critically ill patients with oxygen saturation analysis, end tidal CO2 analysis, blood gas analysis and other monitoring tools.
10. Perform oxygen therapy using knowledge of indications and benefits of all equipment types. Recognize, rectify, and report improper applications.
11. Perform high humidity and aerosol therapy.
12. Perform routine surveillance and equipment inspection to ensurer proper use and functioning of that equipment (pre-use checks)
13. Process reusuable respiratory equipment such as ventilator cassettes, laryngoscope handles and blades, spray with hospital approved antimicrobial solution, place in appropriate gray boxes and deliver to Central Supply for sterilization; pick up clean equipment.
14. Assist with bedside bronchoscopies
15. Perform bedside pulmonary function screening when necessary (for OR cases)
16. Perform bedside spontaneous parameters: vital capacity, tidal volume, negative inspiratory force and rapid shallow breathing index.
17. Perform arterial blood gas (ABG) punctures and analysis. Analyze/ interpret results, and communicate results to the primary healthcare provider (physician and nurse)
18. Perform advanced cardiac life support as a member of the Code Blue and Rapid Response Teams.
19. Perform emergency intubation when Anesthesiologist unavailable, after completion of Holy Name Medical Center training program and certification.
20. Perform routine and emergency tracheostomy tube changes after completion of Holy Name Medical Center training program and certification.
21. Perform emergency endotracheal intubation when anesthesia not available, after completing Holy Name
22. Perform specialty gas therapy such as heliox therapy, when requeted.
23. Perform complete documentation in the patient’s electronic medical record (EMR). Documentation includes: (1) IPOC (Interdisciplinary Plan of Care Form), (2) Respiratory Plan of Care, (3) Patient/Family Education Form, (4) Interdisciplinary Note: inclusive of pre-assessment and post-assessment information of therapy.
24. Departmental documentation and paperwork: Complete all departmental paperwork, computer entries and patient charges necessary for day-to-day operations.
25. Ensure complete verbal report to incoming shift (hand-off) regarding all patients receiving respiratory care services
26. Communicate verbally to nursing and other ancillary staff as necessary, any pertinent patient care information.
27. Participate in patient care rounds.