Registered Respiratory Therapist - NICU

Northside Hospital•Lawrenceville, GA

About The Position

The Registered Respiratory Therapist independently provides respiratory therapy treatments and procedures in accordance with physician orders, established guidelines, and the scope of practice defined by the Georgia Composite Medical Board. The therapist manages care for an assigned group of patients, including adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients, and patients in adult or neonatal intensive care areas when competency has been completed, following Northside Hospital’s philosophy and policies. The role involves clinical care for patients with complex or rapidly changing conditions, assessment and treatment planning, respiratory procedures and therapies, equipment operation and maintenance, and collaboration with patients, families, colleagues, and providers. The position may also include administrative duties.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited respiratory care program.
Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) license from the Georgia Composite Medical Board in good standing without limitations.
Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification from the American Heart Association.
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification from the American Heart Association.
Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification from the American Heart Association.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in respiratory therapy.
Two years of experience as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).
Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification.

Responsibilities

Demonstrate competency in clinical practice and adapt care to complex patients and rapidly changing conditions.
Provide safe, competent patient care and communicate with peers, colleagues, providers, and others.
Assess patients’ respiratory conditions and treatment needs in accordance with Respiratory Care Protocols.
Recommend and/or implement appropriate therapies using relevant clinical information, including vital signs, chest X-rays, and laboratory values.
Interview patients and family members to obtain information related to patient care.
Maintain appropriate levels of functional equipment for departmental use.
Follow safety techniques and hospital and departmental policies and procedures.
Immediately report equipment malfunctions, unsafe conditions, or employee, patient, or visitor injuries or accidents to the manager.
Perform arterial punctures, interpret blood gas analysis, and obtain arterial blood samples from indwelling arterial lines.
Perform pulse oximeter checks to evaluate respiratory status.
Deliver oxygen, aerosol, positive pressure breathing, and chest physiotherapy treatments.
Provide tracheostomy care, including suctioning and tube changes.
Initiate and maintain cardiopulmonary resuscitation as needed.
Set up, operate, and maintain ventilators, and transport patients connected to ventilators.
Perform non-invasive oxygen and carbon dioxide monitoring and analyze data to assess patient status.
Maintain patient airways and provide bronchopulmonary hygiene.