Pulmonary Function Lab-Respiratory Therapist

Baystate Health•Springfield, MA

4d•$34 - $57•Onsite

About The Position

Respiratory Therapists, working under the general supervision of a physician, are responsible for evaluating, diagnosing, and treating disorders that impact breathing. In this role, you will perform diagnostic cardiopulmonary assessments and administer respiratory therapies for patients experiencing deficiencies or dysfunctions of the cardiopulmonary system. Responsibilities include acquiring, analyzing, and interpreting data from diagnostic tests and clinical specimens to guide patient care. Respiratory Therapist perform under the general supervision of a physician, and their responsibilities always encompass evaluating, diagnosing, and treating disorders that affect breathing. Respiratory therapists perform diagnostic cardiopulmonary evaluations and respiratory therapy treatments designed to treat patients with deficiencies and dysfunctions of the cardiopulmonary system. Cardiopulmonary evaluation involves acquiring, analyzing, and interpreting data that is obtained from diagnostic tests and specimens.

Requirements

3 years of clinical experience
Associates of Science: Respiratory Therapy (Required)
Basic Life Support - American Heart AssociationAmerican Heart AssociationAmerican Heart Association
Registered Respiratory Therapist - State of MassachusettsState of MassachusettsState of Massachusetts
Registered Respiratory Therapist - The National Board for Respiratory CareThe National Board for Respiratory CareThe National Board for Respiratory Care

Nice To Haves

3 years experience with ongoing clinical experience in 2 or more critical care areas including PICU, NICU, ED, STAT, RT, or Adult ICU
Precepting experience
At least 3 years of experience with ongoing clinical work in two or more critical care areas, including PICU, NICU, ED, STAT, RT, or Adult ICU.
Prior experience serving as a preceptor.
Prior diagnostic testing experience , such as pulmonary function testing, interventional diagnostics, or noninvasive diagnostic procedures.

Responsibilities

Diagnostic Testing and Evaluation Independently conduct—and precept others in—the performance and collection of diagnostic information, including: Pulmonary function testing Interventional diagnostics Noninvasive diagnostic procedures Blood gas analysis and other pertinent laboratory evaluations
Therapeutic Interventions Administer respiratory care therapeutics such as: Medical gas therapy Aerosol therapy
Patient Assessment Perform physical examinations and interpret diagnostic data to support clinical decision-making.
Therapy Assessment and Adjustment Evaluate and modify patient therapies based on response and lab results. Monitor patients, check equipment, make necessary adjustments, and document changes. Recommend therapy updates to physicians and discontinue therapy as ordered. Disassemble equipment and follow infection-control guidelines for cleaning.
Disease Management Provide management and education for patients with acute and chronic respiratory diseases.
Emergency and Critical Care Support Deliver care across emergency, acute, critical, and post-acute settings, including: Patient and environmental assessments Therapeutic interventions
Safety & Equipment Maintenance Adhere to departmental policies, procedures, quality assurance, safety standards, and infection-control practices. Assist with the care, maintenance, and documentation of equipment. Report equipment malfunctions and coordinate repairs as needed.
Education & Precepting Serve as a preceptor for respiratory therapy students, fellows, and residents.
Specialized Modalities Demonstrate competence in advanced therapies, including: Inhaled Nitric Oxide Inhaled Heliox
Professional Development Hold—or be actively working toward—specialty credentials, certifications, or proficiencies.
Leadership & Committee Participation Complete a specialty project or participate on a hospital committee.
Clinical Ladder Meet and maintain the requirements for a Level III Respiratory Therapist.
Independently conducts and precepts others in performance and collection of diagnostic information a. Pulmonary function testing b. Interventional diagnostics c. Noninvasive diagnostic procedures d. Blood gas and other pertinent laboratory analysis
Application of therapeutics to respiratory care a. Medical gas therapy b. Aerosol therapy
Patient assessment including physical examination and diagnostic data interpretation
Assessment of therapies Make changes to patient therapy as indicated by patient response or lab results. Observe patients, check equipment, and change/make adjustments as necessary. Make recommendations regarding patient's therapy to physician. Discontinue therapy as ordered. Dissemble, and follow infection control cleaning guidelines for equipment.
Disease management of acute and chronic diseases
Provision of emergency, acute, critical, and post-acute care, including a. Patient and environmental assessment b. Therapeutic interventions
Safety and Equipment Maintenance Maintain established department policies, procedures, objectives, quality assurance, safety, environmental and infection control. Assist with care and maintenance of department equipment and supplies. Call for maintenance and repair of equipment. Alert supervisor to malfunction of equipment. Document maintenance/repair.
Precepting respiratory therapy students and fellows/residents.
As required; competent in the Delivery of Inhaled Nitric Inhaled Heli-ox
Perform either a specialty project or participate on a Hospital Committee.
Meets and maintains clinical ladder requirements of a level III Respiratory Therapist