Respiratory Therapist (RT)

Genesis Administrative Services•Bowie, MD

About The Position

At Powerback, Respiratory Therapists provide respiratory care to residents in a skilled nursing facility, primarily serving adults and older adults. Under general supervision and medical direction, the therapist performs procedures within the physician’s treatment plan and departmental policies, assesses residents and their responses to treatment, administers prescribed therapies and aerosolized medications, and documents care. The role includes managing life-support systems, providing airway care, maintaining ventilators, participating in emergency response, and coordinating care with residents, families, facility staff, nurses, and interdisciplinary teams. The therapist also maintains respiratory equipment and supplies, supports quality assurance and equipment troubleshooting, provides education to residents, families, and staff, and participates in ongoing professional education. Powerback describes its mission as improving lives through physical, occupational, speech, and respiratory therapies across skilled nursing, residential, outpatient, and home-based settings.

Requirements

Completion of a NBRC-approved and accredited respiratory therapy program.
One year of clinical practice experience under medical direction.
Current Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification.
Current state licensure as a Respiratory Care Practitioner.
High level of knowledge of respiratory therapy and practice.
CPR certification is required.

Responsibilities

Assess residents’ cardiopulmonary status using physical assessment, history, laboratory findings, chest imaging, pulmonary function testing, and professional judgment; formulate respiratory care plans as ordered by a physician.
Administer prescribed respiratory therapies and aerosolized medications, monitor residents’ responses, recognize adverse reactions, and take appropriate action.
Initiate, monitor, and maintain life-support systems in the skilled nursing facility.
Perform airway care and maintenance; manage artificial ventilator status as directed by approved protocol; maintain and troubleshoot mechanical ventilators.
Participate in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, including bag ventilation and closed-chest massage, as part of the emergency team.
Initiate, administer, evaluate, and document ordered respiratory modalities, including intermittent positive pressure breathing, hand-held nebulizer treatments, chest physical therapy, breathing and cough retraining, deep tracheal suctioning, incentive spirometry, and sputum induction.
Review physician orders for completeness and check resident charts for relevant history, physical findings, and precautions before treatment.
Observe and document residents’ pulse, respiratory rate, breath sounds, general appearance, treatment response, and other pertinent findings; communicate relevant information to the resident’s nurse and notify a supervisor of new and discontinued residents.
Select, adjust, and operate respiratory devices and equipment, including masks, mouthpieces, and tracheostomy equipment, to support effective and comfortable treatment.
Inspect, test, disassemble, clean, reassemble, and properly dispose of equipment; maintain supplies and equipment logs and perform required recordkeeping.
Instruct residents and family members on the rationale and methods of respiratory procedures; provide in-service training to residents, family members, and facility staff.
Involve appropriate family members and facility staff in assessment, treatment, and continuing care as needed; participate in interdisciplinary rounds and conferences to plan and evaluate resident care.
Attend educational programs and read professional journals to maintain and enhance technical skills and clinical competencies.
Participate in quality-assurance data collection and equipment troubleshooting, including quality control, preventive maintenance, and calibration tasks.
Deliver rehabilitation services efficiently in accordance with the established plan of care, department and resident schedules, and timely documentation requirements.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Medical insurance for full-time team members.
Dental insurance for full-time and part-time team members.
Vision insurance for full-time and part-time team members.
Paid time off for full-time and part-time team members.
Clinical mentorship program for new graduates.
Free continuing education units through Medbridge.
Visa or Green Card sponsorship support.
Relocation assistance through the Journey Travel Program.
Discounts on wireless/TV, home, auto, renters, pet insurance, childcare, and eldercare.
PowerZone Employee Recognition Program rewards.
Clinicians in Action professional development program.