Registered Respiratory Therapist

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the supervision of the Department Director and Supervisors performs all duties of the RCP as well as provides respiratory care procedures as ordered by the physician in accordance with established standards and practices. The Respiratory Care Practitioner must demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of patients served in his/her department. The individual must acquire and/or demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span. He/she must be able to provide care with consideration of developmental status.

PRIMARY (ESSENTIAL) DUTIES

1. Provide respiratory therapy (conventional/routine) to all patients of all age groups, infants to adults, as ordered. Explains purpose and procedure of treatments, tests, and equipment to patients.
2. Receive assignment. Check patient chart and physician's orders. Set up equipment and medications and administer treatments as ordered, e.g., oxygen administration, humidity therapy, airway management, resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, postural drainage procedures; closed atmosphere and respiratory monitoring, intermittent positive pressure breathing, aerosol therapy, and pharmacology respiratory therapy. Chart treatment, response, and progress.
3. Monitor environmental control systems, others. Deliver and set up equipment and monitor patients on continuous ventilation. Do nasotracheal and tracheal (endotracheal tube or tracheostomy) suctioning.
4. Make patient rounds regularly. Observe patient, check equipment, and change/make adjustments as necessary. Solve problems. Discontinue therapy as ordered. Remove equipment from patient rooms, disassemble, etc.
5. Recognize medical problems and report these to physician. Apply emergency protocols as needed. In the event of cardiac arrest, proceed to location and assist physician with establishment and maintenance of patient airway. Perform arterial puncture and bedside pulmonary function tests when approved.
6. Regularly assists with QA monitors for the Cardiopulmonary Department.
7. Assist with care and maintenance of department equipment and supplies. Maintain stock levels of supplies. Call for maintenance and repair of equipment (in-house). Alert Director or Supervisor of equipment malfunction.
8. Maintain department records (patient/other), reports, and files as required.
9. Provide appropriate shift report on patient condition and treatments to oncoming personnel.
10. Attend meetings as required. Consult with medical/nursing staff as needed or requested.
11. Processes equipment; clean, sterilize, and package as required.
12. Maintain department in a neat, clean, orderly condition.
13. Enhance professional growth and development through in-service meetings, educational programs, current literature, workshops, etc.
14. Able to perform diagnostic testing, pulmonary functions, cardiac stress testing or work in non-traditional areas such as Home RT, as needed.
15. Able to provide care on the Rapid Response Team.
16. Able to do assigned duties in a timely manner and responds quickly when needed.
17. Willing and able to expand clinical skills as necessary to accommodate Hospital and Cardiopulmonary growth.
18. The above statements reflect the general duties considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job as identified, and shall not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the position.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Work assignments are given per shift by the Department Director, Day Supervisor, Evening Supervisor or as delegated by the Department Director, Supervisor or Clinical Coordinator and are followed per department policy.

DEPARTMENT RELATIONSHIP

No staff is supervised. The Department Director, Day Supervisor, Evening Supervisor or Clinical Coordinator are the line of responsibility.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Must be permanently licensed by the Idaho State Board of Medicine as a Respiratory Care Practitioner, and Registered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). If Registry eligible must obtain Registry within 1 year of hire date.
• Must possess CPR certificate
• Must obtain ACLS certificate and PALS certificate within 1 year of hire date and remain in good standing with renewal of above certificates. 

PUBLIC CONTACT

• A large amount of patient and public contact as well as physician contact. Must possess good patient relationship skills.
• Demonstrates a commitment to the key values of Service to the Poor, Reverence, Integrity, Wisdom, Creativity and Dedication.

GUEST RELATIONS

At all times consideration and attention will be given to patients, families and the general public with emphasis on treating each individual as being special and deserving of that consideration. The Philosophy of the Medical Center is to be practiced thoroughly as an employee of the department. 

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Subject to hazards of flammable and explosive gases. Lifting, pushing, pulling equipment.
• Frequent prolonged standing and walking. 
• Some exposure to sharps, blood and contaminated fluids