Day/Eve Respiratory Therapist

Yale New Haven Health•New London, CT

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Respiratory Care Practitioner provides restorative and interventional care to patients requiring respiratory care for chronic or acute conditions. They administer various treatment modalities, monitor their effectiveness, and identify when alternative treatments should be substituted. The Respiratory Therapist is a member of the Critical Care Team, providing resuscitative measures when necessary. Additionally, the Respiratory Therapist acts as a resource to patient care providers, leveraging their education in pulmonary medicine. The Respiratory Therapist also performs EKGs, ABGs, and other related duties.

Requirements

Graduate of accredited School of Respiratory Therapy with credential of Registered Respiratory Therapist or credential of a Certified Respiratory Therapist with eighteen months to obtain RRT credential.
Current State of Connecticut License is a requirement.
Cross trained staff in Cardiology , Pulmonary Lab and or Pulmonary Rehabilitation.
Staff choosing to voluntarily cross train into Cardiology and or Pulmonary will be required to precept with trained staff to acquire skills in those areas including but not limited to: Pulmonary Function Testing, Methacholine Challenges, Cardiac Stress Testing, EKG/Holter/Even Monitoring, Pulmonary Rehabilitation.
ACLS and Certification in Cardiology is required within a year of completed cross training in Cardiology.
The Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist Certification is required/Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist Certification preferred within 6 months of completed cross training to the Pulmonary Function Lab.
After 6 months of voluntary training in the PFT lab CPFT credentials required, RPFT preferred.

Nice To Haves

Cross training in other department may require additional certification and training.

Responsibilities

Reviews all physician's orders prior to administering therapeutic modalities, monitors for appropriateness and contacts nurses or physicians for clarification as needed.
Performs patient assessment prior to and upon completion of all therapies according to established policies.
Administers various modalities of respiratory care according to established departmental policies to achieve desired outcome for specific treatment modality and documents patient response appropriately.
Evaluates all patients for response to therapy and refers those patients with unusual/unanticipated/adverse therapeutic responses immediately to appropriate individual(s) as per department policy for further intervention.
Suggests modification of treatment plan based on assessment of patient responses.
Participates in patient/family education with regard to goals of therapy, proper use of medications, breathing exercises/techniques, oxygen and therapy equipment, skills required to successfully manage care and other areas identified.
Gathers appropriate data for use in clinical treatment of the patient and updates every shift as appropriated and documents this process according to department policy/procedures.
Utilizes the clinical information system.
Has the knowledge of the operation of all equipment and trouble shooting equipment in various settings according to department policies.
Is able to perform in emergency situations, utilizing appropriate resuscitative techniques, airway management and use of resuscitative equipment.
Provides respiratory care and support for patients requiring transportation NICU through adult.
Provides support should there be an oxygen system failure.
Participates in CQI.
Performs EKGs.
Collects arterial blood specimens for analysis.
Performs diagnostic testing and completes necessary paperwork.
Responsible for the assessment, management and education of patients enrolled in the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program along with interdisciplinary team members and the Medical Director.
Safely operates all equipment according to manufacturer specification.
Follows all procedures on safe patient interactions and body mechanics.
Obtains and maintains proper vaccines and immunizations as required.
Adheres to all safety procedures in the handling of hazardous materials and blood-born pathogens.
Meets performance expectations for customer service, teamwork, resource utilization, and staff and self development as outlined in performance review.
Performs other duties as assigned or directed to ensure smooth operation of the department/unit.