RT Respiratory Therapist RT Full Time Days 3K

Vibra Travels•Calhou, MI

About The Position

The Respiratory Therapist works under the supervision of the Respiratory Therapy Manager and/or Lead Respiratory Therapist and, upon physician request, sets up and operates respiratory care equipment to diagnose and treat respiratory disease or illness. The role provides care to adult and geriatric patients aged 18 and over. The schedule is Tuesday through Thursday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the posting offers a $3,000 sign-on bonus. The therapist explains treatments, tests, and equipment to patients and caregivers and documents education and care in the appropriate records. The role includes administering prescribed respiratory treatments, managing ventilators and weaning, assisting with resuscitation and intubation as necessary, performing tracheostomy care, conducting diagnostic studies and blood gas analyses, and maintaining respiratory equipment. The therapist also communicates patient status and changes in care to colleagues and nurses, prepares patients for activities and transport, and participates in department meetings, training, safety, compliance, and performance-improvement activities. The position requires a state license to practice as a Respiratory Practitioner, BLS upon hire, and ACLS certification within 90 days of employment. Licenses and certifications must be maintained throughout employment.

Requirements

Licensed by the state of employment to practice as a Respiratory Practitioner.
BLS certification upon hire.
Obtain ACLS certification within 90 days of employment.
Maintain required licenses and certifications for the duration of employment.

Responsibilities

Provide respiratory care to adult and geriatric patients aged 18 and over, respecting each patient’s rights, dignity, and individuality.
Explain the purpose and procedures of treatments, tests, and equipment to patients, and document education provided to patients and caregivers.
Administer physician-prescribed respiratory treatments, including handheld nebulizer therapy, oxygen and humidity delivery, medicinal vapors and gases, and chest physical therapy.
Set up, operate, and monitor ventilators; participate in ventilator weaning under protocols and physician direction; and adjust ventilator setup to meet patient respiratory demand.
Maintain ventilation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation and intubate as necessary.
Document treatments and patient responses in respiratory care records and the patient chart, and place MARs in the proper order in the chart.
Perform tracheostomy care and change tracheostomy tubes as required by hospital policy, documenting changes in respiratory progress notes.
Replace tubing, inline suction devices, and suction canisters according to hospital policy and procedure.
Communicate treatments, patient conditions, changes, and new orders to relief personnel 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 function using a test strip within the previous 24 hours.
Perform preventive maintenance and equipment repairs, including ventilator EST and SST pre-use checks, and document work in the cleaning log.
Make regular rounds; check ventilators at least every four hours and oxygen equipment at least once per shift; refill room humidifiers; change suction canisters daily; and spot-check other equipment as required.
Perform and evaluate arterial and venous blood gas analyses, demonstrate competency with blood gas devices, and maintain annual continuing education related to laboratory practices.
Prepare respiratory care and ventilator patients 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 or actual violations to the Compliance Officer.
Maintain professional conduct and follow hospital and departmental policies, procedures, and attendance requirements.
Follow blood-borne pathogen precautions, hazardous-material procedures, and safety and patient-safety practices.
Recognize potential patient abuse and follow policy for appropriate referrals or interventions.
Participate in Performance Improvement activities and protect patient health information by limiting access and disclosure to work-related need-to-know purposes.
Perform other related duties as required or assigned.