Respiratory Therapist - Days - John C Lincoln

HonorHealth•Phoenix, AZ

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Respiratory Therapist sets up, operates, and administers respiratory care equipment and procedures to support diagnosis and treatment of respiratory disease and illness in general floor and critical care areas. The role evaluates therapeutic objectives and outcomes, transcribes physician verbal orders in the medical record, and performs arterial punctures, blood gas analysis, co-oximetry, electrocardiograms, electrolytes, and basic pulmonary function testing. The therapist provides respiratory care to adult, pediatric, and neonatal patients; manages mechanical ventilation and artificial airways; assists with transport of mechanically ventilated patients; and supports bedside procedures, resuscitations, and traumas. The position assesses patients, carries out prescribed therapies and tests, educates patients and families, documents care and results, and maintains respiratory equipment. It also includes troubleshooting, cleaning and sterilizing equipment, staying current with technical practices, and providing training and education in accordance with organizational policies and procedures.

Requirements

Associate degree from a two-year AMA-approved Respiratory Care program.
Two years of clinical experience.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
Respiratory Care Practitioner license.
Registered Respiratory Therapist license.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree from a four-year bachelor's-level or AMA-approved Respiratory Care program.
Six months of experience for a Network float position.
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification.
Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP), or campus-specific certification.
Credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).

Responsibilities

Set up, operate, monitor, and make ordered changes to mechanical ventilators; maintain artificial airway patency, stability, and location and ensure appropriate humidification.
Assist with transporting mechanically ventilated patients to other patient care areas.
Provide routine respiratory treatments and oxygen administration to adult, pediatric, and neonatal patients, including aerosol therapy, nebulized medications, inhalers, airway suctioning, CPAP/BiPAP, breathing exercises, and other specified therapies.
Explain and instruct patients and families about therapies and procedures, and organize and adjust daily assignments to provide efficient patient care.
Perform arterial punctures and blood testing, including arterial blood gas analysis, co-oximetry, and electrolytes; calculate diagnostic relationships; conduct analyzer quality control and proficiency testing; and report critical results promptly.
Gather therapy materials and equipment, verify orders and patient identity, prepare prescribed pharmacological solutions, and document treatments, tests, ventilator settings, patient responses, delays, and omissions in the medical record.
Review physician prescriptions and assess neonatal, pediatric, and adult patients to determine the appropriate level of respiratory care.
Assist physicians with bedside procedures and transcribe verbal orders appropriately.
Provide bag-and-mask ventilation, maintain an adequate airway, assist during life-threatening events, and attend assigned resuscitations and traumas.
Perform basic pulmonary function and resting or exercise oximetry testing; some therapists may perform complete pulmonary function and pulmonary stress studies.
Maintain point-of-care blood gas analysis equipment.
Collect, transport, clean, disinfect, sterilize, and package respiratory care equipment; troubleshoot equipment and arrange repair or preventive maintenance as needed.
Provide customer service, remain current on products, equipment, and technical practices, promote standardized practices, and participate in developing policies and procedures.
Maintain associated equipment and provide training, orientation, and education to staff, patients, and families.
Perform other duties as assigned.