Respiratory Therapist RT Days and Nights

Vibra Travels•Brookport, IL

7h•Onsite

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 used to diagnose and treat respiratory disease and illness. The role provides care to adult and geriatric patients age 18 and over. This position is listed as PRN at a long-term acute care facility. The therapist explains treatments, tests, and equipment to patients, documents patient and caregiver education, administers prescribed respiratory treatments, operates and monitors ventilators, participates in ventilator weaning, and supports ventilation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The role also includes tracheostomy care, equipment processing and maintenance, diagnostic studies and blood gas analysis, patient transport preparation, and communication with care team members. The therapist follows hospital policies and procedures, safety and patient-safety practices, compliance and privacy requirements, and applicable infection-control and hazardous-material practices. The position includes attendance at departmental meetings, staff meetings, and in-services, participation in performance improvement activities, and other assigned related duties.

Requirements

Must be 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 for the duration of employment.

Responsibilities

Set up and operate respiratory care equipment for the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory disease and illness.
Provide care for adult and geriatric patients age 18 and over, respecting each patient's rights, dignity, and individuality.
Explain the purpose and procedure of treatments, tests, and equipment, and document education provided to patients and caregivers.
Conduct physician-prescribed treatments, including handheld 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 under protocols and physician direction; and adjust ventilator settings to meet patient respiratory needs.
Maintain ventilation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation and intubate as necessary.
Record 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 needed according to hospital policy, documenting changes in respiratory progress notes.
Replace tubing, inline suction devices, and suction canisters according to hospital policy and procedure.
Report planned treatments and patient conditions to relief personnel, communicate 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, including a test strip within the prior 24 hours.
Perform preventive maintenance and equipment repairs, including ventilator EST and SST pre-use checks, and document these checks in the cleaning log.
Make regular rounds; check ventilators at least every four hours and oxygen equipment at least once per shift; fill room humidifiers, change suction canisters daily, and spot-check other respiratory equipment per policy.
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 in preparing respiratory care and ventilator patients for physical therapy, ambulation, transport, and other activities; 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.
Maintain professional conduct and comply with hospital and departmental policies, procedures, and attendance requirements.
Follow measures to prevent exposure to blood-borne pathogens and participate in the Hazardous Material Program and safety and patient-safety practices.
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.