Registered Respiratory Therapist - NICU

Northside Hospital Inc.•Lawrenceville, GA

21h

About The Position

The Registered Respiratory Therapist independently provides respiratory therapy treatments and procedures according to 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, as well as patients in adult or neonatal intensive care areas when competency has been completed, in accordance with Northside Hospital’s philosophy and policies. The role includes clinical assessment and treatment of respiratory conditions, delivery of respiratory therapies, airway and ventilator management, patient monitoring, equipment maintenance, and adherence to safety and care protocols. The position is associated with the NICU and has overnight hours from 6:45 PM to 7:15 AM, with rotating weekend requirements and no on-call requirement.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited respiratory care program.
Current Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) license from the Georgia Composite Medical Board, in good standing and 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, set goals independently when managing complex patients, and adapt care to rapidly changing patient conditions.
Provide safe, competent patient care; stay knowledgeable about current respiratory care guidelines; and communicate with peers, colleagues, providers, and others.
Assess patients’ respiratory conditions and treatment needs under Respiratory Care Protocols, and recommend or implement appropriate therapies using relevant clinical information such as vital signs, chest X-rays, and laboratory values.
Interview patients and family members to gather information related to patient care.
Maintain appropriate levels of functional equipment for departmental use.
Follow safety techniques and hospital and departmental policies; promptly report equipment malfunctions, unsafe conditions, or injuries and accidents involving employees, patients, or visitors to the manager.
Perform arterial punctures and interpret blood gas analyses.
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 CPR 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.