Respiratory Therapist - Days - John C Lincoln
About The Position
The Respiratory Therapist sets up, operates, and administers respiratory care equipment and procedures used to diagnose and treat respiratory disease in general floor and critical care areas. The role evaluates therapeutic objectives and outcomes, transcribes physicians’ 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, including mechanical ventilation, oxygen administration, respiratory treatments, airway management, CPAP/BiPAP, and related testing. The position includes assessment and education of patients and families, documentation of care and results, assistance during bedside procedures and resuscitations, equipment maintenance and troubleshooting, and collaboration with physicians and nurses. The therapist also supports consistent practices, keeps current with equipment and technical practices, and may train and orient staff, patients, and families.
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 program or an 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 credential.
- Credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
Responsibilities
- Set up, operate, and monitor mechanical ventilators; make ordered changes and ensure artificial airway patency, stability, location, and appropriate humidification.
- Assist with transportation of mechanically ventilated patients to other care areas.
- Provide routine respiratory treatments and oxygen administration to adult, pediatric, and neonatal patients, including aerosol therapy, nebulized medications, inhalers, airway suctioning, breathing exercises, CPAP/BiPAP, sputum induction, and oxygen analysis.
- Explain therapies and procedures to patients and families, and organize and reprioritize daily assignments to provide efficient care.
- Perform arterial punctures and blood testing, including arterial blood gas analysis, co-oximetry, and electrolytes; calculate diagnostic relationships as applicable.
- Perform analyzer quality control and proficiency testing, verify and document results, and promptly report critical values to the appropriate nurse or physician.
- Gather and transport therapy supplies and equipment; verify patient identity and review charts and orders before providing care.
- Prepare and dispense prescribed pharmacological solutions and medications.
- Document ventilator parameters and changes, treatments, tests, monitoring, patient responses, and delays or omissions in the medical record in a timely manner.
- Assess neonatal, pediatric, and adult patients and determine the appropriate level of respiratory care.
- Assist physicians with bedside procedures, take and transcribe verbal orders, provide bag-mask ventilation, maintain airways, and assist during life-threatening events.
- Attend assigned resuscitations and traumas.
- Perform basic pulmonary function testing and resting and exercise oximetry; some therapists perform complete pulmonary function and pulmonary stress studies.
- Maintain point-of-care blood gas analysis equipment according to established procedures.
- Collect, clean, disinfect, sterilize, and package respiratory care equipment; perform minor troubleshooting and arrange repair or preventative maintenance when needed.
- Provide excellent customer service and stay current on products, equipment, and technical practices.
- Promote standardized practices and participate in developing policies and procedures and communicating changes in standards of care.
- Maintain associated equipment and provide training, orientation, and education to staff, patients, and families.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Benefits
- Up to $15,000 sign-on bonus available.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Education Level
Associate degree
