Respiratory Therapist RT PRN

Vibra Travels•Madisonville, KY

7h•Onsite

About The Position

Under the supervision of the Respiratory Therapy Manager and/or Lead Respiratory Therapist, and upon physician request, the Respiratory Therapist sets up and operates respiratory care equipment used to diagnose and treat respiratory disease and illness. The role provides care to adult and geriatric patients aged 18 and over, explains treatments and equipment to patients, documents education, treatments, and patient responses, and supports respiratory care in a long-term acute care facility. The position includes administering prescribed respiratory treatments, operating and monitoring ventilators, participating in ventilator weaning, maintaining ventilation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and intubating when necessary. The therapist performs tracheostomy care and tube changes, maintains respiratory equipment, conducts respiratory diagnostic studies including blood gas analysis, and prepares patients and equipment for transport and activity. The role also requires communication with relief personnel and nursing staff, participation in departmental meetings and in-services, and compliance with hospital policies, safety practices, privacy requirements, and performance improvement activities.

Requirements

Be licensed to practice as a Respiratory Practitioner in the state of employment.
Have BLS certification upon hire.
Obtain ACLS certification within 90 days of employment.
Maintain licenses and certifications throughout employment.

Responsibilities

Set up and operate respiratory care equipment for the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory disease and illness.
Provide respiratory care to adult and geriatric patients aged 18 and over while respecting each patient's rights, dignity, and individuality.
Explain the purpose and procedure of treatments, tests, and equipment, and document patient and caregiver education in the patient chart.
Administer physician-prescribed treatments, including hand-held nebulizer therapy, nasal oxygen, medicinal vapors and gases, humidity, oxygen concentrations, and chest physical therapy.
Set up, operate, and monitor ventilators; participate in ventilator weaning according to protocols and physician direction; and adjust ventilator settings to meet patient respiratory demand and comfort.
Maintain adequate ventilation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation and intubate as necessary.
Document treatments and patient responses in respiratory care records and the patient chart, and place MARs in the proper order.
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 procedure.
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 function using a test strip from within the previous 24 hours.
Perform preventative maintenance and equipment repairs, including ventilator EST and SST pre-use checks, and document these checks in the cleaning log.
Make regular rounds; check patient 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 analysis, demonstrate competency with blood gas devices, and maintain annual continuing education related to laboratory practices.
Assist in 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 precautions for bloodborne pathogens, hazardous materials, and safety and patient safety programs.
Recognize responsibilities related to 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 job duties and share it only on a need-to-know basis for work purposes.
Perform other incidental and related duties as required or assigned.