Respiratory Therapist - Respiratory Care, Per Diem

Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health•Lebanon, NH

22h•Onsite

About The Position

DH has Respiratory Therapist openings on the day and night shifts, with requirements for every other weekend and alternate holidays. Dartmouth Health is seeking full-time Registered Respiratory Therapists for a fast-paced critical care environment, offering a high degree of autonomy through respiratory-driven protocols. The role is at an academic medical center in a rural setting, providing an opportunity to experience incredible facilities, academic rigor, and compassionate care within a growing department. Qualified candidates must be a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT), with new graduates welcome to apply and obtain their RRT within six months of hire. Dartmouth Health is a national leader in patient-centered health care, operating across New Hampshire and Vermont and serving 1.9 million patients. The system includes Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and Clinics (New Hampshire's only academic medical center and Level 1 trauma center), a large multispecialty physician practice, the Dartmouth Cancer Center, the Children's Hospital at Dartmouth Health, a community hospital, and critical access hospitals. RRTs at DH are responsible for setting up and operating various types of oxygen and other therapeutic equipment, and administering prescribed doses of medicinal gases and aerosolized drugs. DH Respiratory Therapists work in Adult Critical Care, Neonatal and Pediatric critical care, neonatal transport, and ECMO.

Requirements

Licensed Respiratory Practitioner within the State of NH
ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support) required within six (6) months of hire.
Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) upon hire; new grads may obtain within 6 months of hire.
BLS required at time of hire.

Responsibilities

Reviews existing data in patient record. Collects and evaluates additional pertinent clinical information by inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation and patient interview.
Inspects chest x-ray to determine presence of or changes in consolidation, atelectasis, pneumothorax, opacification, position of tracheal tube and other conditions.
Recommends respiratory care alternatives to meet patient care objectives. Recommends the collection of additional pertinent data through chest x-ray, blood gas analysis, pulmonary function studies, and other laboratory tests.
Performs and evaluates bedside spirometry, pulmonary mechanics and pulmonary function studies. Determines appropriateness of prescribed therapy and goals for identified pathophysiological state.
Selects, assembles and checks the equipment for proper function, operation and cleanliness, including correction of malfunctions. Performs procedures for disinfection and sterilization.
Conducts prescribed therapeutic procedures to achieve maintenance of a patient airway, including maintenance of adequate humidification, use of appropriate oro-nasopharyngeal airways, and changing of tracheostomy tubes. Explains planned therapy and goals to patient.
Conducts prescribed therapeutic procedures to achieve removal of bronchopulmonary secretions, and administers prescribed pharmacologic agents.
Conducts prescribed therapeutic procedures to achieve adequate spontaneous and artificial ventilation.
Conducts prescribed therapeutic procedures to achieve adequate oxygenation including adjustment of oxygen concentration, adjustment of PEEP/CPAP, and prevention of "iatrogenic" hypoxemia.
Evaluates and monitors patient's response to respiratory therapy. Modifies treatment techniques based on patient response to IPPB, incentive breathing devices, aerosol therapy, oxygen therapy and mechanical ventilation.
Initiates, conducts and modifies respiratory therapy techniques in an emergency setting, including CPR, monitoring and patient transport.
Records therapy and results as required by hospital policy and regulating agencies; communicates information to appropriate members of health care team.
May assist physician performing bronchoscopy, tracheostomy, and invasive monitoring.
Develops education and training programs, and conducting of in-service training for departmental and non-departmental staff.
Performs other duties as required or assigned.