Respiratory Therapist

PACS

About The Position

The Respiratory Therapist performs respiratory and pulmonary therapy, management, rehabilitation, diagnostic evaluation, and direct patient care for deficiencies and abnormalities affecting the pulmonary system. The role follows the supervisor’s schedule and instructions and complies with the policies, procedures, safety rules, emergency protocols, and infection-control practices of the assigned facility. The position has no supervisory responsibilities. The therapist assesses patient needs and changes in condition, gathers and interprets clinical information, documents actual or potential diagnoses, plans care outcomes, and carries out interventions according to priorities, care plans, hospital policies, and patient-care standards. The therapist reports changes in respiratory status to the Director/Supervisor of Respiratory Care Services, the responsible nurse, and the physician as needed and before leaving the facility. The role also requires effective collaboration with facility personnel and protection of residents’ confidential and protected health information. Candidates must have at least an associate degree from an accredited school and be graduates of a respiratory care program. A current state Respiratory Care Practitioner verification license, where applicable, and current CPR/BLS and ACLS certifications are required. A bachelor’s degree in a healthcare field and at least one year of acute and/or subacute respiratory experience are preferred. The role requires communication, reading, writing, mathematical, and practical problem-solving skills, as well as knowledge of office machines and equipment. Physical duties include occasional lifting or moving of up to 30 pounds, prolonged computer use, and regular sitting, standing, walking, talking, reading, or hearing. Assistance with resident evacuation may be necessary. The work environment is generally low to moderately noisy. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.

Requirements

Associate degree from an accredited school, at minimum.
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.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret 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 fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
Ability to solve practical problems and interpret written, oral, diagrammed, or scheduled instructions.
Knowledge of office machines and equipment.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the role, including occasional lifting or moving up to 30 pounds and prolonged computer use.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Follow the supervisor’s schedule and instructions and comply with facility policies and procedures.
Conduct focused interviews to identify patients’ specific needs.
Assess signs and symptoms of physiologic and psychosocial changes in patients’ conditions.
Collect, analyze, and interpret information from healthcare team members and document actual and potential diagnoses.
Plan care outcomes for assigned patients.
Perform interventions according to identified priorities, care plans, facility policies, and patient-care outcome standards.
Follow facility emergency, safety, and infection-control procedures.
Promote and participate in activities that support effective interpersonal communication.
Report changes in patients’ respiratory status to the Director/Supervisor of Respiratory Care Services, the responsible nurse, and the physician as needed and before leaving the facility.
Maintain effective working relationships with interdepartmental personnel and other facility departments.
Protect residents’ health information and report suspected or known unauthorized disclosure.
Assume responsibility and accountability for assigned duties.
Maintain confidentiality of resident-care information, including protected health information.