Respiratory Therapist Nights

Yale New Haven Health•New London, CT

About The Position

The Respiratory Therapist provides restorative and interventional care to patients with acute or chronic conditions requiring respiratory care. The role includes administering respiratory treatment modalities, monitoring their effectiveness, and identifying when a different modality may be appropriate. As a member of the critical care team, the therapist provides resuscitative measures when needed and serves as a pulmonary medicine resource to patient care providers. The therapist also performs EKGs and arterial blood gas procedures. The role includes assessing patients before and after therapy, documenting treatment and patient responses, educating patients and families, operating and troubleshooting respiratory equipment, and supporting emergency care and patient transport. Cross-trained staff may perform diagnostic testing or support cardiology, pulmonary laboratory, or pulmonary rehabilitation services, with additional training and certifications as specified.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited school of respiratory therapy.
Hold Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential, or Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential with the requirement to obtain RRT within 18 months.
Current Connecticut state license.
Entry-level candidates may be considered with no experience, but must successfully attain necessary skills during orientation and the probationary period.
Cross-training in other departments may require additional certification and training.
For staff voluntarily cross-training in cardiology or pulmonary services, complete precepting with trained staff to acquire applicable skills.
For cardiology cross-training, obtain ACLS and cardiology certification within one year of completing cross-training.
For pulmonary function laboratory cross-training, CPFT certification is required and RPFT certification is preferred within six months of completing cross-training; after six months of voluntary PFT lab training, CPFT credentials are required.

Nice To Haves

Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT) certification is preferred for pulmonary function laboratory cross-trained staff.

Responsibilities

Review physician orders before administering therapeutic modalities, monitor their appropriateness, and contact nurses or physicians for clarification when needed.
Assess patients before and after therapies according to established policies.
Administer respiratory care modalities according to departmental policies and document patient responses.
Evaluate patient responses to therapy and promptly refer unusual, unexpected, or adverse responses for further intervention.
Suggest changes to treatment plans based on patient assessments and responses.
Participate in patient and family education about therapy goals, medications, breathing techniques, oxygen, equipment, and care management.
Gather and update clinical data each shift as appropriate, documenting according to department policy and procedures.
Use the clinical information system.
Operate and troubleshoot equipment in various settings according to department policies.
Respond to emergencies using appropriate resuscitative techniques, airway management, and resuscitative equipment.
Provide respiratory care and support during patient transportation from NICU through adult care settings.
Provide support in the event of an oxygen system failure.
Participate in continuous quality improvement (CQI).
Perform EKGs.
Collect arterial blood specimens for analysis.
For cross-trained staff, perform diagnostic testing and complete necessary paperwork.
For pulmonary rehabilitation staff, assess, manage, and educate program patients with interdisciplinary team members and the medical director.
Operate equipment safely according to manufacturer specifications; follow safe patient interaction and body mechanics procedures; maintain required vaccines and immunizations; and follow safety procedures for hazardous materials and blood-borne pathogens.
Meet performance expectations for customer service, teamwork, resource utilization, and staff and self-development.
Perform other duties as assigned or directed to support department or unit operations.