RT Respiratory Therapist PRN
About The Position
Under the supervision of the Respiratory Therapy Manager and/or Lead Respiratory Therapist, and at a physician’s 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, and documents patient education and care. The Respiratory Therapist administers prescribed respiratory treatments, operates and monitors ventilators, supports ventilator weaning, provides ventilation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and intubates as necessary. The position also involves tracheostomy care, equipment processing and maintenance, respiratory rounds, diagnostic studies including blood gas analysis, and preparing patients for transport, ambulation, and physical therapy. The employee must follow hospital policies and safety, compliance, patient privacy, and attendance requirements; participate in meetings, in-services, and performance improvement activities; and perform other related duties as assigned. The role is identified as PRN in the job title.
Requirements
- Be licensed to practice as a Respiratory Practitioner in the state of employment.
- Hold BLS certification upon hire.
- Obtain ACLS certification within 90 days of employment.
- Maintain licenses and certifications for the duration of employment.
Responsibilities
- Set up and operate respiratory care equipment for diagnosis and treatment as requested by a physician.
- Provide respiratory care to adult and geriatric patients aged 18 years and over.
- Explain treatments, tests, and equipment to patients, and document education provided to patients and caregivers.
- Conduct prescribed treatments, including handheld nebulizer therapy, oxygen and humidity delivery, medicinal vapors and gases, and chest physical therapy.
- Set up, operate, and monitor ventilators; participate in ventilator weaning under protocols and physician direction; and adjust ventilator settings to meet patient needs.
- Maintain adequate ventilation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation and intubate as necessary.
- Record treatments and patient responses in respiratory care records and the patient chart, and place MARs in the appropriate order in the chart.
- Perform tracheostomy care and change tracheostomy tubes as needed and according to hospital policy; document tube changes.
- Replace tubing, inline suction devices, and suction canisters according to hospital policy and procedure.
- Report treatments, patient conditions, changes, and new orders to relief personnel and keep the patient’s primary care nurse informed.
- Clean, sterilize, package, and prepare respiratory therapy equipment, including ENT and bronchoscope scopes, for transport; verify Cidex OPA functionality using a test strip from within the prior 24 hours.
- Perform preventive maintenance and equipment repairs, including ventilator EST and SST pre-use checks, and document them 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 respiratory 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, 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 violations to the Compliance Officer.
- Maintain professional conduct and comply with hospital and departmental policies, procedures, and attendance requirements.
- Follow blood-borne pathogen precautions, hazardous materials requirements, and safety and patient safety practices.
- Recognize responsibilities related to patient abuse and follow policy for referrals and interventions.
- Participate in Performance Improvement activities.
- Limit access to protected health information to what is reasonably necessary for work and share it only on a need-to-know basis.
- Perform other incidental and related duties as required or assigned.
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What This Job Offers
Education Level
No Education Listed
