Licensed Registered Respiratory Therapist

Cayuga Medical Center

29d

About The Position

As a Respiratory Therapist at Arnot Health, you will provide patient-centered respiratory care to patients of various ages and conditions. You will administer treatments such as oxygen therapy, medication delivery, volume expansion, and bronchial hygiene; initiate, manage, and discontinue invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation; and perform airway management and suctioning. The role also includes arterial and capillary blood gas sampling and analysis, troubleshooting blood gas analyzers, and following procedures for critical values. You will prepare patients and equipment for bronchoscopy, assist physicians during procedures, process specimens, and conduct pulmonary function testing according to ATS guidelines, including post-test analysis. You will educate patients and families about respiratory care, treatments, procedures, and equipment, and ensure timely, accurate chart documentation. The position requires following infection-control and safety procedures, using personal protective equipment, protecting patient confidentiality, contributing to quality-improvement activities, collaborating with the healthcare team, and attending ongoing education and mandatory in-service programs. The role involves physical demands including walking, standing, handling equipment, and lifting or transporting equipment and patients.

Requirements

Licensed as a Respiratory Therapist or Technician by the State of New York.
Credentialed as a Certified Respiratory Therapist by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required within 90 days of hire.
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification required within one year of hire.
Ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, and the healthcare team.
Professional appearance and conduct, including adherence to organizational policies for attendance and punctuality.
Ability to prioritize and organize workload effectively, especially during emergency or crisis situations.
Ability to withstand long periods of walking and standing and to handle heavy equipment; occasional lifting, bending, and pushing may be required.
Ability to lift and transport medical equipment and patients, including lifting up to 30 pounds independently and up to 150 pounds with assistance.
Tasks involve exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues; proper use of PPE is required.

Responsibilities

Administer respiratory therapy treatments, including oxygen therapy, medication delivery, volume expansion, and bronchial hygiene, tailored to patient age and condition.
Initiate, manage, and discontinue invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilators; perform airway management and suctioning.
Perform arterial and capillary blood gas sampling, analyze specimens, troubleshoot blood gas analyzers, and follow critical-value procedures for action, notification, and documentation.
Prepare patients and equipment for bronchoscopy, assist physicians during the procedure, and process specimens afterward.
Conduct pulmonary function tests according to ATS guidelines and provide post-test analysis.
Educate patients and families about respiratory treatments, procedures, and equipment.
Complete timely and accurate documentation in the patient chart.
Follow infection-control, universal-precaution, and other applicable policies and procedures; use PPE and maintain patient confidentiality.
Participate in quality-improvement activities, collaborate with the healthcare team, and assist with problem-solving to enhance patient care.
Attend ongoing education programs and mandatory in-service training.
Prioritize and organize workload effectively, including during emergency or crisis situations.