Respiratory Therapist

Job Summary

Monitors and ensures proper operation and functioning of respiratory therapy equipment. Monitors patients physiological parameters during therapy. Administers medical gases and aerosolized drugs.

• Initiates therapy under a Physicians order and makes appropriate recommendations for modalities of Therapy.
• Implements therapy for, and monitors patients while on continuous mechanical ventilators and all modes of positive pressure breathing devices.
• Utilizes clinical and other data to assess cardiopulmonary status of patients.
• Assists in intubation.
• Provides bedside spirometry.
• Evaluates ventilator dependent patients' readiness to wean.
• Administers humidified medical gases as ordered by practitioners with authority to prescribe.
• Interprets blood gas results.
• Consults attending physician/practitioner regarding appropriate therapy.
• Performs arterial punctures.
• Withdraws blood samples from indwelling lines.
• Provides ventilatory support during special procedures.
• Coordinates transport of ventilatory equipment.
• Implements and monitors care of patients on heated aerosols and CPAP as per practitioner order.
• Develops good working relationships with laboratory, x-ray, infection control, nursing, physicians and other healthcare workers to maintain optimum total patient care.
• Cleans and maintains all respiratory therapy equipment.
• Assists in maintaining adequate inventory of respiratory supplies.
• Conducts quality control tests on all respiratory equipment.
• Maintains equipment in safe, workable order;
  Requests repair when necessary.
• Participates in continuous quality improvement teams as required.
• Monitors esophageal pressures, swan ganz catheter data, CVP, arterial blood pressures, electrolytes, fluid balance and intravascular volumes as they pertain to respiratory patients.
• Performs chest physiotherapy, manual ventilation and suctioning.
• Positions patients to facilitate respiration.
• Performs tracheostomy care and mouth care on intubated/trached patients.
• Changes tracheostomy tube as ordered.
• Performs electroencephalogram as ordered.
• This includes taking measurements of the head, placement of electrodes, acquisition of data, monitoring of vital signs.
• Performs polysomnography as ordered for sleep studies.
• Documents pertinent information in medical record.
• Documents care provided in medical record.
• Monitors disease processes, arterial and venous catheter placement and endotracheal tube placement via chest x-ray.
• Communicates pertinent patient information to physicians, practitioners and nurses as appropriate.
• Participates in patient rounds with Pulmonologist/Intensivist/Neonatologist.
• Responds to and participates in Code Blue as part of Code team/RRT Team.
• Able to instruct patient and family on disease processes and treatments provided by Respiratory Therapy in accordance with the hospital patient/family education policies and procedures.
• Assumes on-call status as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.