Respiratory Therapist

Description

Job Summary: The Licensed Respiratory Therapist assesses, implements, and evaluates the delivery of respiratory care services utilizing processes in accordance with hospital standards and department policies for the purpose of monitoring and evaluating patient status.

Skills

• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Ability to perform medication administration via nebulizer or metered dose inhaler, humidity and aerosol therapy, medical gas administration, incentive spirometry, respiratory mechanics, PEP therapy, pulse oximetry, chest physiotherapy, CPR, mechanical ventilation, intubation, extubating, suctioning, and bronchoscopy assist. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Detail-oriented in the examination of clinical and numerical data. Basic PC skills for entering data and performing documentation.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Assess and deliver care/interventions to patients in non-critical care areas within policy, considering patient age, cultural, and psychosocial factors.
• Perform computer entry, verify physician orders, and document pertinent clinical information.
• Provide accurate documentation in the medical record according to policy.
• Provide care effectively to patients in critical care areas, including mechanical ventilation and monitoring patient parameters.
• Attend to ventilator maintenance and setting changes, monitoring patient response to changes.
• Communicate effectively with the healthcare team and demonstrate professional judgment in response to changing patient or departmental situations.
• Delegate and supervise tasks to appropriate staff members as indicated.
• Acknowledge and demonstrate respect for patients' rights.
• Establish effective relationships with patients, their families, and medical staff using positive customer service skills.
• Consistently maintain communication updates with the department.
• Support departmental/hospital goals by attending in-services, meeting department education standards, and completing variance reports.
• Organize, prioritize, and perform skills appropriate for the patient population.
• Anticipate patient/department needs.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Respond to code blues, RIT/CRIT calls, and transports in a timely manner.
• Participate in mentoring of new personnel.
• Assist in monitoring quality and appropriateness of patient care.
• Participate actively in projects and processes designed to improve patient outcomes.

Decision Making

Exercise independent judgment in planning sequence of operations and making minor decisions in a complex technical or professional field.

Working Relationships

• Coordinate activities of others (does not supervise).
• Lead others in the same work performed (does not supervise).
• Work directly with patients and/or customers.
• Engage with internal customers via telephone or face-to-face interaction.
• Interact with external customers via telephone or face-to-face interaction.
• Collaborate with other healthcare professionals and staff.

Special Job Dimensions

None.

Supplemental Information

This document generally describes the essential functions of the job and the physical demands required to perform the job. This compilation of essential functions and physical demands is not all-inclusive nor does it prohibit the assignment of additional duties.

Education

• Minimum Education: Graduate of an accredited Respiratory Care program.
• Licensure, Registration and/or Certification: Valid Oklahoma Provisional / Respiratory Care Practitioner License (RCP) or temporary letter to practice issued by the Oklahoma Medical Board. Certified / Registered Respiratory Therapist (CRT/RRT) credential through the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC). Basic Life Support (BLS) within 2 months of hire.
• Work Experience: 0 - 6 months of related experience.