MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Uses Respiratory therapy processes to support assessment of patient utilizing a variety of skills such as pulmonary diagnostics, chest radiograph, hemodynamic values, laboratory values, and correlates blood gases and electrolytes. Can identify and address the special needs of patient population specific to department services.Operates specialized ventilators in critical and non-critical care venues. Assists physician with bedside or other procedures as applicable to facility.Provides medication treatments and therapies per physician order and/or patient driven respiratory protocols (PDRP's) as prescribed.Cleans, maintains and ensures proper functionality of equipment. Can troubleshoot equipment as necessary and identifies the need for service and/or repair.Educates and instructs patients in purpose, technique, self-care, goal of therapy, and disease management.Facilitates clinical problem solving and collaborates with other departments to provide education on managing patients.Under physician direction, the respiratory therapist must be able to adapt and comply to policies and procedures for a variety of different service areas, perform tasks and/or special duties as required by assignment and maintain performance standards and organizational behaviors.Demonstrates effective communication, feedback, and conflict resolution skills.Promotes a culture of safety by recognizing and applying proper safety measures to prevent patient harm. Reports patient safety events and near misses in a timely manner. Seeks to identify potential safety issues and assists in the implementation of corrective actions.Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the department's policies and procedures. Age-specific information is developed further in the departmental job standards.

License/Registration/Certification:  

Respiratory Care Practitioner license issued by the state in which the team member practices., andAdult Critical Care Specialist (ACCS) certification issued by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) needs to be obtained within 0 months unless department leader has determined it is not required, andRespiratory Therapist certification (CRT) issued by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC), andBasic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA), andAdvanced Cardiac Life Support certification (ACLS) issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) needs to be obtained within 0 months unless department leader has determined it is not required, andPediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) needs to be obtained within 0 months unless department leader has determined it is not required, andNeonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA)/American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) needs to be obtained within 0 months unless department leader has determined it is not required, andNeonatal/Pediatric Respiratory Specialist (NPS) issued by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) needs to be obtained within 0 months unless department leader has determined it is not required.

Level of Education:   Associate's Degree in Respiratory Therapy

Years of Experience:  Requires 1 year of RT experience

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSA)

 Effective organizational, interpersonal and problem-solving skills.Problem solving and decision making for patient care and equipment use.Proficient computer skills, use of electronic mail and electronic medical record systems.Excellent communication (written and verbal), listening and interpersonal skills.Demonstrates human relation skills with the ability to develop rapport and maintain positive, professional relationships with a variety of patients, team members, and physicians. Ability to take initiative and work collaboratively with others.Demonstrates time management skills with an ability to multi-task and prioritize in an environment with frequent interruptions.

PHYSICAL  REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

Ability to adapt to change assignments quickly and float within the contracted site.Must be able to sit, stand, walk, lift, squat, bend, reach above shoulders, and twist frequently throughout the workday.Must be able to:lift up to 50 lbs. from floor to waist.lift up to 20 lbs. over the head.carry up to 40 lbs. a reasonable distance.Must be able to:push/pull with 30 lbs. of force.perform a sliding transfer of 150 lbs. with a second person present.Position requires use of foot pedals on carts or machines.May be exposed to chemical and hazardous waste as well as blood and body fluids and communicable disease. Therefore, protective clothing and equipment must be worn as necessary.Must have functional speech, vision, hearing, and touch with ability to use fine hand manipulation skills for IV insertion and other procedures/functions.Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.