Respiratory Therapist - Full Time Nights

Kindred Healthcare•Chattanooga, TN

13h•Onsite

About The Position

The Respiratory Therapist administers safe and competent respiratory care as ordered by physicians. Responsibilities include monitoring mechanical ventilation, administering medications, assessing patients, understanding hemodynamic monitoring and blood work results, and providing patient monitoring, teaching, and training. The therapist works in all hospital areas and provides care appropriate to adult and geriatric patients. The role includes accurate documentation and charge entry, verification of physician orders, receiving and giving patient reports, participating in department and hospital meetings and rounds, and keeping the Supervisor informed about workload and patient acuity. The therapist uses and troubleshoots respiratory care equipment, manages airways and mechanical ventilation, performs CPR, communicates patient updates and therapy recommendations to physicians and hospital personnel, and assists with employee and student orientation and training.

Requirements

Registered Respiratory Therapist credential from the National Board of Respiratory Care.
Appropriate licensure from the state licensure agency.
Current ACLS and BLS certifications.
Ability to work under stress and respond quickly in emergencies.
Good interpersonal skills when interacting with patients, families, and staff.
Ability to communicate effectively in English verbally and in writing to perform job duties.
Understanding of growth and development across the lifespan and ability to provide care appropriate for adult and geriatric patients.
Ability to work cooperatively as a team member.
Reading and comprehension skills sufficient to perform job duties.
Good and regular attendance.

Nice To Haves

At least 1 year of experience in an acute care setting is preferred.

Responsibilities

Deliver respiratory care procedures in accordance with department policies and procedures, working in all areas of the hospital.
Document respiratory care procedures accurately and completely, and enter daily patient services and charges into the department computer.
Verify respiratory care physician orders and initial, date, and time them after verification.
Receive and give accurate, complete reports; update patient profile cards to reflect current clinical status; and be ready at specified report times.
Attend and participate in department in-services, meetings, patient care rounds, and mandatory hospital meetings.
Keep the Supervisor informed of changes in workload and patient acuity.
Demonstrate knowledge of respiratory care instruments and equipment, troubleshoot problems, and resolve them appropriately.
Manage airways, including bag-mask ventilation, assisting with intubation, suctioning, and artificial airways; initiate and perform CPR; and initiate, maintain, monitor, and document continuous mechanical ventilation.
Provide timely, accurate updates to physicians and other hospital personnel, and recommend therapy changes or modifications by contacting physicians.
Assist with orientation and training of new employees and respiratory and nursing students, and precept new employees during orientation.
Perform other related duties as assigned.