Respiratory Therapist

UHS•Aiken, SC

19d•Onsite

About The Position

Aiken Regional Medical Centers, located in Aiken, South Carolina, is a 273-bed acute care facility providing top quality and safe healthcare to the residents of Aiken and surrounding communities since 1917. Aiken Regional Medical Centers has been ranked a top hospital in South Carolina by the American Heart Association for its treatment of heart attack, heart failure and Stroke, and most recently, coronary artery disease. Additionally, Aiken Regional provides comprehensive healthcare services such as behavioral health (Aurora Pavilion Behavioral Health), emergency medical care (main hospital and ER at Sweetwater), orthopedic surgeries, maternity, rehabilitation services(Hitchcock Rehabilitation Services), imaging, and wound care. Registered Respiratory Therapist is responsible for providing basic and advanced Cardiopulmonary Services to neonatal, pediatric, adult and geriatric patients. The RRT II plans, implements, and evaluates the effectiveness of Cardiopulmonary Services. The RRT II may assume charge responsibilities.

Requirements

Associates Degree in Respiratory Care or Equivalent; Registered by the National Board for Respiratory Care.
2 - 4 years experience in both basic and advanced respiratory care procedures for neonatal, pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients.
Registered by the National Board for Respiratory Care, current S.C. Respiratory Care Practitioner License.
BLS certification by the AHA; ACLS, PALS, NALS.
Must be able to successfully demonstrate competencies required.

Responsibilities

Reviews, collects, and evaluates relevant clinical data.
Performs pediatric through geriatric general and critical care to include intubation and airway maintenance.
Initiates, maintains, monitors, and weans mechanical ventilation, CPAP, and BiPAP on all age groups.
Attends high-risk deliveries to assess and stabilize the neonate.
Assesses and manages airway patency, intubation, suctioning, oxygenation and ventilation.
Attends neonatal through geriatric resuscitations and manages the airway, ventilation, and oxygenation during CPR.
Assists with special procedures such as tracheotomy, thoracentesis, chest tube and arterial line insertion.
Assesses patient, their need and ability to tolerate treatment and reassesses for response to treatment.
Formulates an appropriate Respiratory Care plan based upon patient assessment.
Communicates changes in the Respiratory Care plan with other healthcare team members.
Formulates a teaching plan based on identified learning needs of a patient and evaluates effectiveness of learning, including patient’s family in teaching as appropriate.
Performs fundamental and advanced diagnostic procedures on neonates through geriatric, as appropriate, such as complete pulmonary function, bronchoscopy assist, conscious sedation monitoring, oximetry, capnography, EKGs and Holter monitors.
Performs arterial punctures, arterial line sampling, and heel sticks for blood gas sampling.
Maintains clinical and professional competency based upon established standards of practice.
Assembles, checks, and corrects malfunctions and performs quality controls on Cardiopulmonary equipment to include blood gas analyzers.
Documents all pertinent data on the patient’s medical record following completion of any service.
Maintains a thorough knowledge of all department forms, flow charts, logbooks and their proper usage.
Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of the differences in techniques and treatment modalities performed on patients of varying ages from neonate to geriatric.