Respiratory Therapist | PRN

Tamarack Health Careers•Hayward, WI

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Respiratory Therapist will be responsible for administering respiratory therapy treatments across all nursing and care units, including the Emergency Department, Obstetrics, and Operating Care Units. This role involves setting up and monitoring mechanical ventilators and BiPAP machines, performing airway management and tracheal suctioning, and completing competencies in ventilator support and intubation. The therapist will also perform arterial punctures for blood gas analysis, manage equipment cleaning and maintenance, and ensure correct documentation and charging for services. A key aspect of this role is understanding and applying age-specific care for neonates, pediatrics, adolescents, and geriatrics, including appropriate oxygen concentrations and medication dosages. The therapist will also be involved in patient and family education, managing schedules, participating in Quality Improvement projects, and ensuring patient safety by managing and operating equipment safely and correctly.

Requirements

Verbalize knowledge of the various methods of oxygen delivery, including the necessary equipment required to deliver the therapy.
Assess for and document side effects, when found, to oxygen therapy.
Describe the purpose of therapy and the possible side effects associated with each.
Complete competency in ventilator support and intubation per policy.
Assess and document patient pain level prior to providing treatments.
Make appropriate RN or physician contact for pain treatment intervention.
Verbalize the possible complications and contraindications associated with arterial punctures.
Complete competency in ABG draws per policy.
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of oxygen concentrations and medication doses as they relate to patients of varying ages, including neonate, pediatric, adolescent and geriatric patients.
Complete drug calculations as requested by Pharmacy to document competency.
Follow the five (5) medication rights and reduces the potential for medication errors as evidenced by no medication errors.
Manages and operates equipment safely and correctly.
Inspects and tests respiratory therapy equipment to ensure that it is functioning safely and efficiently.
Develops, delivers and documents a teaching plan based on identified learning needs of a patient and evaluates effectiveness of learning.
Demonstrates ability to assess the patient=s need for and the ability to tolerate treatments.
Re-assesses and documents response to each treatment/intervention.
Attends education in-service programs to maintain professional competency.
Obtains appropriate hospital-specific education and training.

Nice To Haves

May be the department PFT software/computer super-user.
Creating work and call schedules.
Quality Improvement projects.

Responsibilities

Administer respiratory therapy treatments in all nursing and care units (ED, OB, OCU, etc).
Set up and monitor mechanical ventilators and BiPAP machines, including airway management and tracheal suctioning.
Complete competency in ventilator support and intubation per policy.
Perform and document arterial punctures to obtain arterial blood samples for blood gas analysis.
Complete competency in ABG draws per policy.
Comply with departmental equipment cleaning procedures.
Document correctly and completely all pertinent data on the patient’s medical record.
Charge correctly for services in a timely manner.
Maintain departmental forms, flow charts, logbooks, etc.
Perform all duties for the department when working: maintain inventory, order supplies, ‘stickering’, delivering supplies, checking code carts, etc.
Review and update policies and procedures every six months.
Discuss knowledge and understanding of differences in techniques and treatment modalities for patients of varying ages.
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of oxygen concentrations and medication doses for patients of varying ages.
Complete drug calculations as requested by Pharmacy.
Follow the five (5) medication rights and reduce the potential for medication errors.
Perform all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.
Manage and operate equipment safely and correctly.
Inspect and test respiratory therapy equipment to ensure it is functioning safely and efficiently.
Develop, deliver, and document a teaching plan based on identified learning needs of a patient and evaluate effectiveness of learning.
Include patient’s family in teaching, as appropriate and document involvement.
Treat patients, families and coworkers with respect and dignity.
Demonstrate ability to assess the patient’s need for and the ability to tolerate treatments.
Re-assess and document response to each treatment/intervention.
Attend education in-service programs to maintain professional competency.
Obtain appropriate hospital-specific education and training.
Perform duties as assigned including, but not limited to, creating work and call schedules, Quality Improvement projects, and other duties.