RT Respiratory Therapist Full Time Nights RT

Vibra Travels•Gardendale, AL

10d

About The Position

The Respiratory Therapist provides respiratory care to adult and geriatric patients aged 18 and over. Under the supervision of the Respiratory Therapy Manager and/or Lead Respiratory Therapist, and at a physician’s request, the therapist sets up and operates respiratory care equipment used to diagnose and treat respiratory disease and illness. This is a full-time night position. The therapist administers prescribed respiratory treatments, operates and monitors ventilators, assists with ventilator weaning and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, performs tracheostomy care, and conducts diagnostic studies including blood gas analysis. The role also includes documenting treatments and patient responses, maintaining and processing respiratory equipment, conducting equipment checks and patient rounds, and communicating patient and treatment updates to colleagues. The Respiratory Therapist is expected to uphold patient rights and dignity, follow hospital and departmental policies, comply with safety and compliance requirements, protect patient health information, and participate in departmental meetings, in-services, and performance improvement activities.

Requirements

Licensed to practice as a Respiratory Practitioner in the state of employment.
Must have BLS upon hire.
Must obtain ACLS certification within 90 days of employment.
Must maintain licenses and certifications throughout employment.

Responsibilities

Set up and operate respiratory care equipment for the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory disease and illness.
Provide respiratory care to adult and geriatric patients aged 18 and over, respecting each patient’s rights, dignity, and individuality.
Explain treatments, tests, and equipment to patients, and document education provided to patients and caregivers.
Conduct physician-prescribed treatments, including hand-held nebulizer therapy, nasal oxygen therapy, administration of medicinal vapors and gases, humidity and oxygen concentrations, and chest physical therapy.
Set up, operate, and monitor ventilators; participate in ventilator weaning according to protocols and physician direction; and adjust ventilator settings to support patient comfort and respiratory demand.
Maintain adequate ventilation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation and intubate as necessary.
Document treatments, patient responses, and pertinent information in respiratory care records and patient charts, and place MARs in the proper order.
Perform tracheostomy care and change tracheostomy tubes as necessary, following hospital policy and documenting changes.
Change tubing, inline suction devices, and suction canisters according to hospital policy and procedure.
Communicate planned treatments and patient conditions to relief personnel, report changes and new orders, and keep the patient’s primary care nurse informed.
Clean, sterilize, package, and prepare respiratory therapy equipment, including ENT/bronchoscope equipment, for transport; verify Cidex OPA functionality and test-strip status.
Perform preventive maintenance and equipment repairs, complete ventilator EST and SST pre-use checks, and document them in the cleaning log.
Conduct regular patient and equipment rounds, including ventilator checks at least every four hours, oxygen equipment checks at least once per shift, filling room humidifiers, changing suction canisters daily, and spot-checking other equipment.
Perform and evaluate arterial and venous blood gas analyses, demonstrate competency with blood gas devices, and maintain annual continuing education related to laboratory practices.
Assist respiratory care and ventilator patients with preparation for physical therapy, ambulation, and transport; store oxygen tanks according to OSHA and hospital guidelines.
Attend monthly Respiratory Care departmental meetings, general staff meetings, and in-services.
Follow the Hospital Compliance Plan and report suspected violations to the Compliance Officer.
Follow professional conduct standards, hospital and departmental policies, attendance requirements, and safety and patient safety practices.
Comply with blood-borne pathogen precautions and participate in the Hazardous Material Program.
Recognize potential patient abuse and follow policy for appropriate referrals and interventions.
Participate in Performance Improvement activities.
Limit access to protected health information to what is reasonably necessary for work and share it only on a need-to-know basis.
Perform other incidental and related duties as required or assigned.