Description:

JOB DESCRIPTION - RESPIRATORY THERAPIST (VA)

Job Summary:

Respiratory Therapists evaluate, treat, and care for patients with breathing or other cardiopulmonary disorders. Practicing under the direction of Respiratory Department Head. Respiratory Therapist assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care therapeutic treatments and diagnostic procedures, including the supervision of respiratory therapy technicians.

Qualifications:

Education: Associate degree from an accredited respiratory therapy program.

Licensure: Current license as a Respiratory Therapist as required by state law

Experience: One year full time experience as a Respiratory Therapist

Certification: Registered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC – RRT). Current BLS Certification, ACLS & NRP may be required by the facility.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Respiratory Therapist is expected to practice safe and ethical care within his/her scope as defined by the State Regulatory Agency under the direction of the Respiratory Department Head. The Respiratory Therapist should understand his/her own limitations, seeking advice and assistance when necessary. Specific duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Assesses patients a d recommends respiratory therapy treatments
• Plans, prepares and administers respiratory therapy treatments including IPPB, aerosol, chest physical therapy, incentive spirometry, and sputum inductions, in accordance with established policies and procedures
• Performs diagnostic pulmonary and cardiac tests
• Inspects, tests, maintains and operates respiratory therapy equipment
• Responds to “code blue” calls and assist by maintaining the patient’s airway and performs CPR
• Instructs respiratory technicians
• Patient care documentation is timely, legible, and efficient.
• Notes are concise, pertinent and meet departmental documentation standards.
• Oral reporting is clear, concise, relevant, and timely.
• Utilize resources and materials in an efficient and safe manner
• Performs all duties promptly in a competent and caring manner
• Present a neat appearance and dress in compliance with the client facilities’ policies
• While on assignment, the Respiratory Therapist is responsible and accountable to their assigned patients and to the client institution. The Physical is under the direct supervision of the Department Head or other assigned personnel and must have the ability to follow directions/instruction from his/her supervisor.

Essential Functions:

• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• Participates in continuing education and learning experiences to enhance and maintain current knowledge and skills for continued competence
• Perform all duties using proper body mechanics
• Frequently move/lift between 50-100 pounds, depending on assignment requirements
• Stand for long periods with frequent squatting, twisting, bending, kneeling and reaching to prepare equipment, materials or objects in order to provide patient care or maintain the patient environment
• Sensory requirements include speech for communication and vision, smell, touch and hearing to assess patient status.
• Problem solving skills
• Manual dexterity and fine motor coordination
• Ability to work in a stressful environment