Registered Respiratory Therapist

Job Description Summary

Provides respiratory care to patients as assigned by supervisors and given on the physician's order for both in-house and out-patient care.

Job Description

1 - Responsible for the safe and effective administration of medically prescribed medications, knowing their indications and contraindications.

   a - Assures proper physician order before administration of medication as evidenced by Process Improvement.

   b - Demonstrates proper procedures for the procurement of respiratory medications and reconciliation of medication count variances.

   c - Completes Respiratory Care Patient Assessments before treating patients (except in an emergency) as evidenced by process improvement reviews

2 - Knows and follows the indications and contraindications, the policy and procedures in administering therapeutic modalities including but not limited to: IPPB, IS, HHN, CPAP & BiPAP, Heliox.

   a - Assures proper physician order before treatment administered as evidenced by Process Improvement review.

   b - Discontinues treatment if any adverse or contraindication noted and documented in patient chart at time of occurrence as well as notifying the appropriate staff member, i.e., nurse, physician.

3 - Safe utilization of gas cylinders and piped in gas outlets.

   a - Sets up gas cylinders and assures proper usage and safety measures are in place.

   b - Lifts and moves gas cylinders utilizing proper body mechanics.

   c - Demonstrates knowledge of the set up, use and problems associated with oxygen, air and vacuum outlets, regulators, flowmeters and devices.

4 - Performs PFT’s to the standards of the American Thoracic Society.

   a - Patients are consistently coached to produce reliable data as evidenced by the number of needed retests.

   b - PFT data is confirmed on a daily basis to have been transferred into the Meditech system.

   c - Maintains and backs up patient data on a regular basis.

5 - Performs arterial punctures using radial, brachial and femoral sites independently.  Draws off arterial lines to obtain sample for blood gas analysis.

   a - Obtains sample upon a physician's order as directed. As determined by direct observation, the sample is obtained according to policy and in compliance with universal precautions.

   b - Follows all National Patient Safety Goals regarding patient identification, labeling of the specimen and dealing with critical value results when performing an arterial puncture and blood gas analysis as evidenced during the process improvement reviews.

   c - Proficient in interpreting arterial and venous blood gas results and conveys the information to the medical team.

6 - Be a member of both the "code team" and the "rapid response team"  responding to arrest and patient in crisis situations. 

   a - Maintains current BLS/ACLS card as evidenced by card.

   b - Performs external compression when needed in a code situation.

   c - Proper handling and usage of ambu and assures proper function during code.  Utilizes proper technique as observed/reported by code team participants.

   d - Demonstrates the ability to assist with endotracheal tube and LMA insertion and removal as observed/reported by code team participants.

   e - Demonstrates the ability to verify endotracheal tube placement by use of an end tidal CO2 detector, breath sounds and a chest x-ray.

7 - Performs all aspects of artificial airway care.  Demonstrates ability to perform naso-tracheal and endo-tracheal suctioning on patients.

   a - Fully competent in explaining benefits and complications of various airway devices.

8 - Documents all maintenance, calibration, problems, and quality controls performed on the blood gas analyzers.

   a - Performs maintenance on ABG analyzer as documented in the lab policy.

   b - Changes IQM cartridges when directed by the instrument.

   c - Reports critical values according to the hospital policy and procedures

10 - Familiar with measuring devices to include, but not limited to, ETCO2, pulse oximeter, Wrights respirometer, oxygen blenders.

   a - Demonstrates ability to perform weaning mechanics utilizing a respirometer, manometer and cuff pressure manometer and documents the data in the medical record.

   b - Measures and records the static compliance and dynamic resistance of the airways for all mechanically ventilated patients.

11 - Responsible for the set-up, safety check, monitoring and troubleshooting of mechanical ventilators.

   a - Demonstrates the ability to set properly set up and check the functionality of all ventilators at South Shore Hospital.

   b - Demonstrates the ability to proficiently set-up and apply all modes of ventilation through each ventilator and can articulate the function and application of each of the modes.

   c - Performs ventilator checks at the prescribed frequency during assigned shift .

   d - Familiar with and promotes the use of mechanical ventilation protocols for both ventilator management and weaning evaluations.

   e - Upon the order of a physician, the therapist demonstrates the ability to safely perform an endotracheal extubation.

12 - Familiar with the set-up and administration of CPAP and BiPAP.

   a - Demonstrate ability to select proper equipment and fit the mask to the individual patient.

   b - Demonstrate the ability to set all parameters and alarms when setting up a patient for NPPV.

   c - Fully capable of explaining the different modalities and their applications with respect to the patient's disease process.

13 - Maintains accurate and legible records, documenting clinical notes in patients medical record.

   a - Accurate and notes are to be kept in the electronic medical record as evidenced in process improvement reviews.

   b - All medications administered and missed are documented via proper BMV technique in the MAR as evidenced in process improvement reviews.

   c - PRP documentation is completed in a timely manner.  RN who triggered PRP notified of any interventions.

14 - Participation in reporting patient progress, patient condition, and documenting needed level of care to the next shift as determined by observation at shift change.

15 - Participates in staff meetings, attends lectures, conferences and seminars.

   a - Regularly attends staff meetings as scheduled as evidenced by minutes of meeting or requests a review of the material from supervisors or managers.

   b - Attends lectures, seminars as scheduled as evidenced by rosters or awarded certificates.

17 - Safety Awareness – Fosters a “Culture of Safety” through personal ownership and commitment to a safe environment.

   a - Adheres to patient identification policies/procedures as evidenced through the PI system.

   b - Makes appropriate use of personal protective equipment at all times.

   c - Adheres to respiratory etiquette guidelines and universal precautions.

   d - Appropriately disposes of hazardous materials.

   e - Adheres to electrical safety guidelines.

18 - Performs new respiratory procedures as they are introduced and inserviced into the Respiratory Care Department.

19 - Adheres to policies and procedures required for the implementation of the National Patient Safety Goals as determined by process improvement reviews.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (Cont.)

1 - Technology and Learning

   a - Participates in continued learning and possess a willingness and ability to learn and utilize new technology and procedures that continue to develop in their role and throughout the organization.

   b - Embraces technological advances that allow us to communicate information effectively and efficiently based on role.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Minimum Education - Preferred

Must be a graduate of an approved school of Respiratory Care.

Minimum Work Experience

Two years of acute care experience preferred.

Required Licenses / Registrations

Respiratory Therapist License
Registered Respiratory Therapist - National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC)

Required Classes/Skills -

ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support
BLS - Basic Life Support