Respiratory Therapist RT Days and Nights

Vibra Travels•Reidland, KY

About The Position

The Respiratory Therapist provides respiratory care to adult and geriatric patients age 18 and over in a long-term acute care facility. Under the supervision of the Respiratory Therapy Manager and/or Lead Respiratory Therapist, and upon physician request, the therapist sets up and operates respiratory care equipment used to diagnose and treat respiratory disease and illness. This is a PRN position. The therapist explains treatments, tests, and equipment to patients, documents education and care, performs prescribed respiratory treatments, manages ventilators and participates in ventilator weaning, and provides tracheostomy care. The role also includes respiratory equipment processing and maintenance, diagnostic studies and blood gas analysis, patient preparation for transport and therapy, and communication with nurses and relief personnel. The therapist follows hospital policies and procedures, safety and compliance requirements, and patient privacy standards.

Requirements

Licensed 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 throughout employment.
Competency in the use of blood gas devices.
Provide care for adult or geriatric patients age 18 and over.

Responsibilities

Provide respiratory care to adult and geriatric patients age 18 and over.
Respect each patient's rights, dignity, and individuality during interactions.
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 medicinal vapors and gases, humidity and oxygen, and chest physical therapy.
Set up, operate, and monitor ventilators; participate in ventilator weaning according to protocols and physician direction; and use ventilator graphics to support patient comfort and respiratory demand.
Maintain ventilation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation and intubate as necessary.
Document treatments and patient responses in respiratory care records and the patient chart, and place medication administration records in the appropriate order.
Perform tracheostomy care according to hospital policy and procedure; change tracheostomy tubes as necessary and document changes.
Replace tubing, inline suction devices, and suction canisters according to hospital policy and procedure.
Report planned treatments and patient conditions to relief personnel, communicate changes and new orders, and keep the patient's primary care nurse informed.
Clean, sterilize, package, and prepare respiratory therapy equipment, including ENT/bronchoscope equipment, for transport to and from the cleaning area; verify Cidex OPA functionality using a test strip within the previous 24 hours.
Perform equipment preventive maintenance and 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 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 with preparing respiratory care and ventilator patients for physical therapy, ambulation, and transport; store oxygen tanks according to OSHA and hospital guidelines.
Attend monthly Respiratory Care department 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 the attendance policy.
Follow measures to prevent exposure to bloodborne pathogens and participate in the Hazardous Material Program.
Comply with established safety and patient safety practices.
Recognize responsibilities related to patient abuse and follow policy for appropriate referrals and interventions.
Understand and participate in Performance Improvement activities.
Limit access to protected health information to what is reasonably necessary for the job and share it only on a work-related need-to-know basis.
Perform other incidental and related duties as required or assigned.