Respiratory Therapist PD

Brown Medicine•Providence, RI

4d•$34 - $56•Onsite

About The Position

Under the general supervision of the Manager or Lead Therapist of the Respiratory Care Department, the Respiratory Therapist administers respiratory care, obtains and analyzes blood gas specimens, and performs physician-ordered sleep studies and pulmonary function tests. The role provides age-specific care to geriatric, adult, and adolescent patients and fosters patient- and family-centered care in alignment with Brown University Health and The Miriam Hospital’s mission, vision, and values. Employees are expected to model Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence, and demonstrate the core Success Factors: Instill Trust and Value Differences, Patient and Community Focus, and Collaborate. The position may provide functional or technical supervision as a charge therapist, with responsibility limited to occasional direction, guidance, and explanation. Work is performed at The Miriam Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island, on variable days and shifts, on a per-diem, as-required basis.

Requirements

Associate degree from an AMA-approved respiratory therapy program.
Current Rhode Island license as a Respiratory Care Practitioner.
Interpersonal skills to instruct and calm patients.
Analytic skills to interpret blood gas reports, calculate pulmonary function test results, and synthesize related information from different medical disciplines.
Leadership ability to establish priorities, assign work to practitioners when serving as charge therapist, and instruct students.
Ability to operate respiratory therapy and diagnostic testing equipment.
Ability to meet the age-specific needs of patients.
Physical ability to sit, stand, and walk for prolonged periods; may need to lift or turn patients and equipment and repeatedly bend, squat, and stoop.
Sufficient visual acuity and manual dexterity to use a computer keyboard and common office equipment.
Adherence to established safety procedures and precautions to minimize workplace hazards.

Nice To Haves

One year of experience as a respiratory therapist is preferred.

Responsibilities

Administer respiratory care in accordance with physician orders or protocol.
Accept and enter verbal and telephonic physician orders into patient charts.
Set up and operate respiratory devices, aerosol generators, and bedside pulmonary function testing equipment; monitor equipment to maintain required parameters.
Perform chest physiotherapy and bronchopulmonary drainage procedures, and assist patients with breathing exercises using incentive spirometry.
Instruct patients and families in therapeutic modalities and equipment use.
Monitor patients’ physiologic responses to therapy and suggest therapy changes.
Maintain patient charts and document therapy, ventilator, and monitoring information.
Inspect and test respiratory therapy equipment, notify the Manager or Lead Therapist when repairs are needed, and assist with equipment and supply care and maintenance.
Perform arterial punctures to obtain blood samples, analyze and report results, and calibrate blood gas instrumentation and perform preventive maintenance and quality control.
Perform assigned pulmonary function laboratory tests and sleep studies; record results and forward them to a physician for interpretation.
Maintain logs and related records and reports for tests performed; consult physicians about test appropriateness and results.
Clean, make minor repairs to, and maintain pulmonary function and sleep study equipment; prepare and revise written testing procedures and order laboratory supplies.
Participate in Code Blue emergencies by providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation, airway management, and ventilatory support.
Assist in evaluating replacement respiratory and pulmonary function equipment.
Attend and participate in staff meetings and in-service education sessions; maintain required records and reports.
Maintain quality assurance, safety, environmental, and infection control standards in accordance with hospital and departmental policies, procedures, and objectives.
When assigned charge therapist responsibilities, provide occasional direction, guidance, and explanation to practitioners.