Respiratory Therapist - Nights

Respiratory Therapist - Full Time Nights (Healthcare)

Respiratory Therapist evaluates, treats, tests and provides high quality professional care to patients of all ages and lifestyles with pulmonary and/or cardiac difficulties. The role requires minimal supervision and practice under the guidance of a physician.

• Provides respiratory therapy to patients as prescribed according to established standards of practice including aerosol treatments, oxygen therapy, pulse oximetry, arterial blood gases, pulmonary function testing, stress testing, Holter monitoring, etc.
• Completes respiratory assessment in a timely manner (within 24 hours of admission).
• Schedules therapy, sets up equipment, obtains medication and administers treatments as ordered, observes and assesses patients during rounds, and makes suggestions to the physician as needed.
• Maintains and calibrates equipment, performs quality control, cleans machines (e.g., pulse oximeter, ventilator, CPAP, BiPAP, blood gas machines), and troubleshoots equipment.
• Coordinates with physicians to establish and maintain airway in cases of cardiac or respiratory arrest and initiates, maintains, and monitors patients on continuous ventilation, BiPAP, or CPAP.
• Performs arterial sticks to obtain blood samples, runs them through the blood gas machine and co-oximeter, and reports results with suggestions to the doctor.
• Documents appropriately on the patient's record using the computer with pertinent data related to assessment, interventions, and evaluations, and maintains appropriate charge for procedures performed.
• Identifies educational needs of patients and/or families, provides education related to respiratory therapy, evaluates effectiveness, and documents teaching on the flow chart, adjusting for patient age.
• Provides cardiology services such as EKGs, stress testing, and Holter monitoring, and adjusts equipment and procedures to meet the needs of patients of all ages and cultures.
• Presents a positive image of the hospital, adheres to time and attendance policies, demonstrates flexibility with regard to work schedule and assignments, and performs tasks with minimal direction.
• Consults and works cooperatively with members of the healthcare team, offers assistance, responds quickly to requests, accepts additional responsibility, and seeks guidance from peers, supervisors, and medical staff.
• Implements respiratory care in accordance with established policies and procedures, adapting techniques to meet the individual needs of pediatric, neonatal, infant, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients of diverse backgrounds.