RT Respiratory Therapist PRN

Vibra Travels•Town of Mayfield, NY

About The Position

Provides respiratory care to adult and geriatric patients aged 18 and over. Under the supervision of the Respiratory Therapy Manager and/or Lead Respiratory Therapist, and upon physician request, sets up and operates respiratory care equipment used to diagnose and treat respiratory disease and illness. The position is PRN and is scheduled for nights or days on Wednesdays. The Respiratory Therapist performs prescribed treatments, operates and monitors ventilators, supports ventilator weaning and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, conducts tracheostomy and suction-related care, and performs respiratory diagnostic studies including blood gas analysis. The role also includes documenting care and patient responses, educating patients and caregivers, maintaining and processing respiratory equipment, monitoring equipment and patients, coordinating care with nurses and relief personnel, and participating in departmental meetings, in-services, and performance improvement activities. The role requires a state license to practice as a Respiratory Practitioner, BLS upon hire, and ACLS certification within 90 days of employment. Licenses and certifications must be maintained throughout employment. The position involves compliance with hospital policies, safety and infection-prevention practices, confidentiality requirements, and applicable hazardous-material procedures.

Requirements

State license to practice as a Respiratory Practitioner in the state of employment.
BLS certification upon hire.
Obtain ACLS certification within 90 days of employment.
Maintain required licenses and certifications for the duration of employment.
Competency in the use of blood gas analysis devices.
Ability to perform respiratory care procedures and operate respiratory care equipment.

Responsibilities

Provide respiratory care to adult and geriatric patients aged 18 and over.
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 handheld nebulizer therapy, administration of oxygen and medicinal vapors or gases, humidity, and chest physical therapy.
Set up, operate, and monitor ventilators; participate in ventilator weaning according to protocols and physician direction; and adjust ventilator flow to meet patient respiratory demands.
Maintain ventilation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation and intubate as necessary.
Record treatments and patient responses in respiratory care records and the patient chart, and place medication administration records in the proper order.
Perform tracheostomy care and change tracheostomy tubes as required by hospital policy, documenting tube changes.
Replace tubing, inline suction devices, and suction canisters according to hospital policy and procedure.
Communicate planned treatments and patient conditions to relief personnel, report changes and new orders, and keep the patient's primary care nurse informed.
Clean, sterilize, package, and prepare respiratory therapy equipment, including ENT and bronchoscope equipment, for transport and processing; verify Cidex OPA functionality using a test strip within the previous 24 hours.
Perform preventative maintenance and equipment repairs, including ventilator EST and SST pre-use 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 according to policy.
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 respiratory care and ventilator patients with preparation for physical therapy, ambulation, and transport; 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 violations to the Compliance Officer.
Maintain professional conduct and comply with hospital and departmental policies and procedures, including attendance requirements.
Follow blood-borne pathogen prevention measures, hazardous-material procedures, and 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 work and share it only on a need-to-know basis.
Perform other incidental and related duties as required or assigned.