Respiratory Therapist - Per Diem

Baystate Health • Westfield, MA

11d • $39 - $53

About The Position

The Respiratory Therapist works under the general supervision of a physician and is responsible for evaluating, diagnosing, and treating disorders that affect breathing across adult, pediatric, and neonatal populations . The Respiratory Therapist performs diagnostic cardiopulmonary evaluations and provides respiratory therapy treatments designed to treat patients with deficiencies and dysfunctions of the cardiopulmonary system. Responsibilities include acquiring, analyzing, and interpreting diagnostic data obtained from testing, laboratory analysis, and patient assessments to guide treatment and therapy management.

Requirements

• Graduate of an accredited Respiratory Therapy program
• Massachusetts Respiratory Therapist License or eligibility to obtain
• BLS certification from the American Heart Association
• Ability to provide respiratory care to adult, pediatric, and neonatal populations
• Associates of Science: Respiratory Therapy (Required)
• Basic Life Support - American Heart AssociationAmerican Heart AssociationAmerican Heart Association
• Registered Respiratory Therapist - State of MassachusettsState of MassachusettsState of Massachusetts
• Registered Respiratory Therapist - The National Board for Respiratory CareThe National Board for Respiratory CareThe National Board for Respiratory Care

Nice To Haves

• 1 year of clinical respiratory therapy experience preferred
• ACLS, PALS, and/ or NRP certifications depending on service location
• Experience in acute care or hospital- based respiratory therapy

Responsibilities

• Diagnostic Evaluation
• Independently performs and collects diagnostic information including:
• Pulmonary function testing
• Interventional diagnostics
• Sleep studies
• Non- invasive and invasive diagnostic procedures
• Blood gas and other pertinent laboratory analysis
• Respiratory Therapeutics
• Administers respiratory care therapies including:
• Medical gas therapy
• Humidity therapy
• Aerosol therapy
• Artificial airway management and care
• Airway clearance techniques
• Invasive and non- invasive mechanical ventilation
• Vascular catheter insertion, management, and care
• Extracorporeal Life Support ( ECLS)
• Patient Assessment
• Performs comprehensive patient assessments including physical examination and interpretation of diagnostic data.
• Therapy Management
• Evaluates patient response to therapy and modifies treatment plans based on patient condition or laboratory results.
• Conducts regular patient rounds.
• Monitors patient status and respiratory equipment and makes adjustments as necessary.
• Provides recommendations to physicians regarding respiratory therapy plans.
• Discontinues therapy as ordered.
• Performs oxygen rounds and titrates oxygen therapy as indicated.
• Removes respiratory therapy equipment and follows infection control cleaning guidelines.
• Disease Management
• Assists in the management of acute and chronic cardiopulmonary diseases.
• Hemodynamic Support
• Collaborates with the care team to support monitoring and management of hemodynamics.
• Discharge Planning
• Participates in discharge planning and case management.
• Emergency and Critical Care
• Provides emergency, acute, critical, and post- acute care including:
• Patient and environmental assessment
• Therapeutic interventions
• Participation in patient transport ( land and air)
• Responds to Rapid Response and Code Blue events
• Safety and Equipment Maintenance
• Maintains departmental policies, procedures, quality assurance, safety, environmental, and infection control standards.
• Assists with care and maintenance of respiratory therapy equipment and supplies.
• Coordinates equipment maintenance and repair when needed and reports malfunctions to supervisors.
• Documents maintenance and repair activities.
• Education and Training
• Precepts new staff and students, including Respiratory Therapy and Resident Nurse students, as directed.
• Professional Requirements
• Maintains all required American Heart Association ( AHA) certifications as determined by the service location.
• Facilities with obstetrics services require Neonatal Resuscitation Program ( NRP) certification when applicable.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Education Level: Associate degree