Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) - Per Diem

Hackensack Meridian Health•Holmdel Township, NJ

62d

About The Position

The Registered Respiratory Therapist provides and administers respiratory care therapy and supportive equipment under the supervision of the Director of Respiratory Services, Technical Supervisor, and Shift Supervisors, following the Department Policy and Procedure Manual. The role supports patients with pulmonary disorders in critical and non-critical care areas and performs respiratory evaluations, monitoring, treatments, procedures, and patient and family education pursuant to physician prescriptions. The therapist administers and monitors medical gases, mechanical ventilation, artificial airway care, bronchopulmonary hygiene, respiratory-related pharmacologic agents, and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation. The position includes operating and maintaining respiratory equipment, interpreting cardiopulmonary data and diagnostic studies, supporting patients on life support, responding to emergency and trauma codes, documenting care in EPIC, and following infection-control and department protocols. Care is tailored to the age, culture, language, literacy, and other needs of each patient.

Requirements

Graduate of an AMA-approved Respiratory Care program.
Associate degree.
Comprehensive knowledge of all clinical aspects of Respiratory Care.
NJ Respiratory Care Practitioner License.
NJ Registered Respiratory Therapist Certificate.
AHA Basic Health Care Life Support HCP Certification.
Ability to lift at least 35 lbs., push and pull at least 165 lbs., and stand at least 6 hours per day.

Nice To Haves

Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification.
Neonatal Resuscitation Program.
Pediatric Advanced Life Support Certification.

Responsibilities

Assist in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of patients with pulmonary disorders in critical and non-critical areas pursuant to a licensed physician's prescription.
Perform cardiopulmonary evaluations, monitoring, respiratory therapy techniques and procedures, and patient and family education.
Acquire, analyze, and interpret physiological specimen data; perform diagnostic tests, studies, and research involving the cardiopulmonary system and respiratory-related neurophysiological studies.
Administer or monitor medical gases, mechanical ventilation, artificial airway care, bronchopulmonary hygiene, respiratory-related pharmacologic agents, and respiratory-related cardiopulmonary rehabilitation.
Apply scientific principles to identify, prevent, remediate, research, and rehabilitate acute or chronic cardiopulmonary dysfunction.
Administer prescribed respiratory care procedures and set up related equipment.
Document therapeutic procedures and patient responses in the EPIC electronic medical record.
Set up, verify, operate, and monitor invasive and non-invasive respiratory equipment.
Participate in life-support management by recommending and making appropriate changes based on blood gas results and weaning studies.
Respond to and participate in emergency and trauma codes.
Oversee Certified Respiratory Care Technicians' clinical performance to ensure compliance with department policies and procedures.
Change and maintain ventilators and ventilator circuits in accordance with infection-control policies.
Run quality controls on blood gas analyzers.
Monitor and change manifolds, including emergency oxygen, nitrous oxide, and nitrogen manifold cylinders.
Retrieve, clean, and assemble respiratory equipment using disinfecting solutions and cleaning agents in accordance with infection-control protocols.
Identify patient population needs and adapt care and communication to patients' developmental, age, cultural, language, hearing, visual, educational, and literacy needs.
Perform other work as requested by the Director or designee.