Respiratory Therapist FT Days

Kindred Healthcare•Dallas, TX

About The Position

The Respiratory Therapist administers safe, competent respiratory care as ordered by physicians. The role includes monitoring mechanical ventilation, administering medications, assessing patients, understanding hemodynamic monitoring and blood work results, and providing monitoring, teaching, and training. Respiratory care is delivered across hospital areas in accordance with applicable policies, procedures, and protocols, with a focus on adult and geriatric patients.

Requirements

Postsecondary certificate, diploma, or program completion from an accredited respiratory therapy program, or an associate degree from an accredited respiratory therapy program.
Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP), or comparable certification in the state of practice, upon hire.
Basic Life Support (BCLS) certification upon hire or within the facility-specified time frame.
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification upon hire or within the facility-specified time frame.
Ability to work under stress and respond quickly in emergency situations.
Appropriate interpersonal communication skills when interacting with healthcare team members, patients, and families.
Understanding of lifespan growth and development and ability to provide care appropriate for adult and geriatric patients.
Ability to work cooperatively as a team member.
Good and regular attendance.
Fluent English reading, writing, and speaking skills.

Nice To Haves

Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) or Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential upon hire.
At least 1 year of related experience.

Responsibilities

Deliver respiratory care procedures throughout the hospital in accordance with respiratory care policies, procedures, and protocols.
Maintain accurate documentation and charge capture for respiratory care procedures, and develop and document respiratory care elements of patient care plans.
Verify and initiate physician orders for respiratory care.
Use respiratory care instruments and equipment competently; troubleshoot problems and perform proper disinfection and sterilization.
Initiate, monitor, and maintain oxygen and aerosol delivery devices and non-invasive and invasive mechanical ventilation devices.
Perform airway management, including oral or nasal airway placement, bag-mask ventilation, intubation or assistance with intubation, and scheduled or emergency tracheostomy tube changes.
Perform safe suctioning and use of artificial airways, initiate and perform CPR, and provide tracheostomy, endotracheal tube, and oral care.
Implement one-way speaking valve trials as ordered by a physician.
Assist physicians with diagnostic and therapeutic bronchoscopy procedures.
Complete initial and ongoing decannulation risk assessments and provide appropriate interventions and documentation.
Perform and document timely spontaneous breathing trial assessments and initiate and advance ventilator weaning according to protocol.
Participate in the multidisciplinary early patient mobility program.
Perform pulse oximetry and carbon dioxide gas monitoring.
Perform arterial blood gas sampling and analysis, and complete and document required ABG analyzer quality control and maintenance.
Provide and document patient and family education.
Provide and receive accurate, complete patient handoff reports.
Participate in department and hospital in-services, meetings, and patient care rounds.
Notify the immediate supervisor of changes in workload and patient acuity.
Provide timely, accurate updates to healthcare team members and recommend therapy modifications when clinically indicated.
Assist with orientation and training of new employees and students, and precept new employees during orientation.
Perform other related duties as assigned.