Respiratory Therapist RT Days and Nights

Vibra Travels • Lone Oak, TX

6h

About The Position

The Respiratory Therapist provides respiratory care to adult and geriatric patients, ages 18 and over. Under the supervision of the Respiratory Therapy Manager and/or Lead Respiratory Therapist, and upon physician request, the therapist sets up and operates respiratory care equipment used to diagnose and treat respiratory disease and illness.

The therapist explains treatments, tests, and equipment to patients; documents education and care; performs prescribed respiratory treatments; manages ventilators and supports ventilator weaning; and provides tracheostomy care, equipment maintenance, and respiratory diagnostics. The role also includes communicating patient and treatment updates to relief personnel and nurses, preparing patients for transport or activity, attending meetings and in-services, and following hospital policies related to safety, compliance, patient rights, confidentiality, and professional conduct.

Requirements

• Must be licensed to practice as a Respiratory Practitioner in the state of employment.
• Must have BLS upon hire.
• Must obtain ACLS certification within 90 days of employment.
• Must maintain licenses and certifications for the duration of employment.

Responsibilities

• Provide care for adult and geriatric patients aged 18 and over, respecting each patient's rights, dignity, and individuality.
• Explain the purpose and procedure of treatments, tests, and equipment to patients, and document education provided to patients and caregivers.
• Conduct physician-prescribed treatments, including hand-held nebulizer therapy, nasal oxygen therapy, administration of medicinal vapors and gases, humidity and oxygen concentrations, and chest physical therapy.
• Set up, operate, and monitor ventilators; participate in ventilator weaning under protocols and physician direction; and adjust ventilator settings to support patient comfort and respiratory demand.
• Maintain ventilation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation and intubate when necessary.
• Record treatments and patient responses in respiratory care records and the patient chart, and place MARs in the proper order in the chart.
• Perform tracheostomy care and change tracheostomy tubes as needed and according to hospital policy, documenting changes in respiratory progress notes.
• Replace tubing, inline suction devices, and suction canisters according to hospital policy and procedures.
• Report treatments and patient conditions to relief personnel, communicate changes and new orders, and keep the patient's primary care nurse informed.
• Process respiratory therapy equipment, including ENT/bronchoscope equipment, by cleaning, sterilizing, and packaging it as required; prepare scopes for transport and verify Cidex OPA functionality using a test strip within the previous 24 hours.
• Perform preventive maintenance and equipment repairs, including EST and SST pre-use ventilator checks, and document checks in the cleaning log.
• Make regular rounds; check ventilators at least every four hours and oxygen equipment at least once per shift; fill room humidifiers, change suction canisters daily, and spot-check other respiratory equipment as required.
• Perform and evaluate arterial and venous blood gas analyses, demonstrate competency with blood gas devices, and maintain annual continuing education related to laboratory practices.
• Assist with preparing respiratory care and ventilator patients for physical therapy, ambulation, transport, and other activities; store oxygen tanks according to OSHA and hospital guidelines.
• Attend monthly Respiratory Care departmental meetings, general staff meetings, and in-services.
• Follow the Hospital Compliance Plan and report suspected or actual violations to the Compliance Officer.
• Maintain professional conduct and comply with hospital and departmental policies, procedures, and attendance requirements.
• Follow measures for preventing exposure to blood-borne pathogens and participate in the Hazardous Material Program and established safety and patient safety practices.
• Recognize potential patient abuse and follow policy for appropriate referrals and interventions.
• Participate in Performance Improvement activities.
• Limit access to protected health information to what is reasonably necessary for the job and share it only on a need-to-know basis for work purposes.
• Perform other incidental and related duties as required or assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Education Level: No Education Listed