Respiratory Therapist I
About The Position
The Respiratory Therapist provides direct patient care by assessing, treating, and managing patients with respiratory disorders. The role includes assessing respiratory status, implementing treatment plans involving oxygen, ventilation, and airway management, educating patients and families, documenting interventions, and collaborating with physicians and other medical staff. The therapist uses and maintains respiratory equipment, including calibrating blood gas machines and performing quality-control measures, setting up ventilatory support systems, and keeping equipment clean and in good working order. The role also includes administering physician-ordered respiratory therapy modalities, recording verbal orders, completing assigned documentation, and managing workload to complete treatments and data entry on time. The therapist assesses and reassesses patients receiving respiratory therapy, responds appropriately to changing or critical situations, and performs procedures within the department's scope of practice. Duties include drawing and running arterial blood gases, pulmonary bedside screening, chest physiotherapy, monitoring ventilator patients in critical care areas with some direct supervision, and assisting with therapeutic and diagnostic bronchoscopies. The position also includes cross-trained shared duties such as performing EKGs in patient-focused care units. The therapist is expected to complete competency checklists and certifications, attend at least 80% of annual staff development meetings, participate in department committees and task forces, and pursue ongoing training and education as technology and treatment practices change. The position is at Dignity Health - Marian Regional Medical Center, a 191-bed nonprofit acute-care hospital in Santa Maria, California.
Requirements
- California Respiratory Care Practitioner credential, required upon hire.
- BLS-CPR certification from the American Heart Association, to be obtained within 30 days.
- ACLS certification from the American Heart Association, to be obtained within 30 days.
- PALS certification from the American Heart Association, to be obtained within 30 days.
- Neonatal Resuscitation Program certification, to be obtained within 30 days.
- Applicants with less than one year of experience will be considered on an individual basis.
Nice To Haves
- A minimum of one year of respiratory therapy experience.
Responsibilities
- Assess and reassess patients' respiratory status and clinical needs.
- Implement respiratory treatment plans, including oxygen therapy, ventilation, and airway management.
- Educate patients and families about respiratory care.
- Document respiratory interventions and assigned data; ensure data collection and entry are completed.
- Calibrate blood gas machines, perform and document quality-control measures, and set up ventilatory support systems.
- Clean and maintain respiratory equipment in good working order.
- Administer respiratory therapy modalities as ordered by physicians and take and record verbal physician orders.
- Prioritize assignments and complete respiratory therapy treatments on time.
- Respond appropriately to critical or changing patient-care situations.
- Draw and run arterial blood gases; perform pulmonary bedside screening and chest physiotherapy.
- Perform respiratory therapy and monitor ventilator patients in critical care areas with some direct supervision.
- Assist with therapeutic and diagnostic bronchoscopies.
- Perform cross-trained shared duties, including EKGs in patient-focused care units.
- Complete mandatory competency checklists and certifications and pursue continued training and education.
- Attend at least 80% of annual staff development meetings and participate in department committees and task forces.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
