(Archived) Staff Respiratory Therapist

Summary: The staff therapist is responsible for providing basic and advanced Respiratory Care services to neonatal, pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients. The therapist proficiently plans, implements, and evaluates the effectiveness of Respiratory Care.

Essential Job Functions include but are not limited to: The following is a summary of the major essential functions of this job. The incumbent may perform other duties, both major and minor and as the hospital may see fit, that are not mentioned below; and specific functions that may change from time to time.

1. Data: Reviews, collects, and evaluates relevant clinical data.
2. Performance: Maintains knowledge of all current methods of respiratory care, including the necessary equipment. Performs both basic and advanced therapeutic procedures for neonatal, pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients. Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of the techniques and treatment modalities as performed on patients of varying ages, including neonates, pediatric, adolescent and geriatric patients.
3. Procedures: Performs both fundamental and advanced diagnostic procedures including arterial puncture, electrocardiogram, blood gas analysis, pulmonary function tests, pharmacologic and treadmill stress tests, holter monitoring etc. Maintains clinical and professional competences, knowledge and skills for all procedures, follows hospital and departmental policies and procedures, based upon established standards of practice. Aware and conscientious of possible side effects, indications, contra-indications and possible complications.
4. Equipment: Assembles, checks, corrects malfunctions, calibrates and performs quality controls on all respiratory care equipment and ensures that it is functioning safely and efficiently. Follows departmental equipment sterilization procedures. Manages, and operates equipment safely and correctly. Thoroughly ensures respiratory section of crash cart is stocked per policy and procedure.
5. Pharmacology: Safely and effectively administers medication as ordered by physician and/or protocol; understanding and being attentive to possible side effects, indications and contra-indications.
6. Communication: Effectively communicates changes in the respiratory care plan with other health care team members. Works effectively with others and independently, demonstrates leadership and ability to work under pressure. Documents all pertinent data both patient and job related including, but not limited to: charting within the patient’s medical records – treatments, vital signs, complications, communication from patient; department- all billing, logbooks, forms etc.
7. Patient Care & Plans: Must have ability to assess patient’s condition and needs – including complete physical assessment for toleration of treatment and reassessment for treatment adjustment as needed. Formulates an appropriate respiratory care plan based upon patient assessment. Coordinates and directs patient care to ensure needs are met, protocol and hospital policies are followed.
8. Education: Provides effective education to patients, students and co-workers as appropriate. Actively educates patients for items such as incentive spirometer, asthma action plans, COPD management and smoking cessation. Stays current and maintains CEU’s to keep knowledge up-to-date. Maintain current certifications in Neonatal Resuscitation, BLS, PALS and ACLS.
9. Critical care: Performs emergency and acute respiratory care procedures in accordance with the quality guidelines in the departmental policy and procedure manual. Successfully utilize critical care skills and maintain competencies for ventilator management and settings, airway management including intubation, and suctioning.
10. Quality: Actively participates in departmental quality assurance and hospital-wide ongoing Quality Improvement Performance activities. Strictly adheres to all departmental and hospital policies and procedures.
11. Patient: Always treats every patient, family member, hospital visitor and employee with the utmost respect and dignity. Protect patient’s rights including strictly adhering to HIPPA.
12. Department: Appreciation and desire to be part of a health care team dedicated to providing patients optimal care. Attends all mandatory meetings, as well as departmental meetings and services a minimum of 80% attendance. When on call a response time of no more than 30 minutes, when called out for service. Adjusts work hours/ schedule to meet the needs and demands of the hospital and department. Ability to stay awake and alert and be prepared for urgent events that may arise. Aware of all Emergency Disaster Plans and how to respond if a disaster occurs. Performs other duties as assigned.

Demonstrates Competency in the following areas:

• Manages and operates equipment safely and correctly. Inspects and tests respiratory therapy equipment to ensure that it is functioning safely and efficiently.
• Maintains thorough knowledge of hazards of oxygen therapy.
• Formulates a teaching plan based on identified learning needs of a patient and evaluates effectiveness of learning, Patient’s family is included in teaching as appropriate.
• Treats patients and their families with respect and dignity. Coordinates and directs patient care to ensure patients’ needs are met and that hospital policy is followed.
• Demonstrates ability to assess patient, his/her need, and ability to tolerate treatment and reassessment for response to treatment.
• Attends education in-service programs to maintain professional competency. Obtains appropriate hospital-specific education and training.
• Performs all additional duties as assigned by the department manager.