Respiratory Therapist

PACS

17d•$26 - $32

About The Position

The Respiratory Therapist performs respiratory and pulmonary therapy, management, rehabilitation, diagnostic evaluation, and direct care for patients with deficiencies or abnormalities affecting the pulmonary system. The role follows supervisor instructions and facility policies, assesses and documents patient needs and changes in condition, plans and carries out care interventions, and communicates changes in respiratory status to appropriate clinical personnel. The position has no supervisory responsibilities and requires maintaining patient confidentiality and following facility safety, emergency, and infection-control procedures. The role requires an associate degree from an accredited school and graduation from a respiratory care program. A bachelor’s degree in a health care field and at least one year of acute or subacute respiratory experience are preferred. Required credentials include a current state Respiratory Care Practitioner verification license where applicable, current CPR/BLS and ACLS certifications, and knowledge of office machines and equipment. The employee may occasionally lift or move up to 30 pounds, regularly sit, stand, walk, talk, read, or hear, use computers and office equipment, and may need to assist with resident evacuation during emergencies. The work environment is usually low to moderate in noise level.

Requirements

Associate degree from an accredited school.
Graduate of a respiratory care program.
Current Respiratory Care Practitioner verification license for the state of practice, if applicable.
Current CPR/BLS and ACLS certifications.
Knowledge of office machines and equipment.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, and governmental regulations.
Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
Ability to present information effectively and respond to questions from managers and employees.
Ability to apply mathematical concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
Ability to solve practical problems and interpret written, oral, diagrammed, or scheduled instructions.
Ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds and meet the described physical demands of the role.
Ability to maintain confidentiality of resident care information, including protected health information.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science degree in a health care field.
At least one year of respiratory experience in an acute and/or subacute unit.

Responsibilities

Receive and follow the supervisor’s schedule and instructions, as well as established policies and procedures.
Follow the policies and procedures of the facility to which the respiratory care practitioner is assigned.
Conduct focused interviews to identify patients’ specific needs.
Assess signs and symptoms that indicate physiologic or psychosocial changes in a patient’s condition.
Collect, analyze, and interpret information from health care team members and document actual or potential diagnoses.
Plan care outcomes for assigned patients.
Perform interventions according to identified priorities, the plan of care, hospital policies, and patient care outcome standards.
Follow the assigned facility’s emergency, safety, and infection-control procedures.
Promote and participate in activities that facilitate good interpersonal communication.
Report changes in a patient’s respiratory status to the Director/Supervisor of Respiratory Care Services, the nurse primarily responsible for the patient, and the physician as needed and before leaving the facility.
Develop and maintain effective working relationships with interdepartmental personnel and other facility departments.
Protect resident health information and promptly report suspected or known unauthorized disclosure.
Assume the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability for assigned duties.