Respiratory Therapist (PRN/Alternating Shifts)

Franciscan Alliance•Munster, IN

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Certified Respiratory Therapist II oversees the diagnosis, treatment, and care management of patients with pulmonary disorders. The role uses a variety of testing techniques to assist physicians in diagnosing disorders and determines treatment requirements—including the type, method, and duration of therapy, necessary precautions, and medication and dosages—in accordance with physicians’ orders. The position responds to emergency activations, assesses patients, operates ventilators, delivers oxygen and inhaled medications, performs airway-clearance and lung-expansion therapies, educates patients and caregivers, conducts special procedures, maintains respiratory equipment, and evaluates patient responses to therapy. The role serves patients ranging from neonatal to adult and assists physicians with high-risk deliveries, caesarean section births, and patient transport.

Requirements

Associate’s Degree in Respiratory Care Science.
High school diploma or GED.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association.
Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification from the American Heart Association within one year of hire.

Nice To Haves

Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
Three years of clinical experience.

Responsibilities

Attend code blue and rapid response team activations to perform or assist with airway management.
Perform thorough patient assessments, obtain patient histories, and elicit accurate descriptions of sleep problems to support diagnosis and treatment.
Set up and operate mechanical ventilators using invasive or non-invasive procedures for patients ranging from neonatal to adult.
Administer high-frequency jet ventilation (HFJV), high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV), and conventional methods to deliver nitric oxide.
Deliver supplemental oxygen therapy and select appropriate delivery devices to support adequate patient oxygenation.
Administer prescribed inhaled medications, including SABA, LABA, LAMA, ICS, antibiotics, and other inhaled medications.
Perform incentive spirometry, PEP, and Flutter therapies to facilitate airway clearance and lung expansion.
Educate patients and caregivers about conditions and disease-management techniques, including breathing exercises and use of medications or respiratory equipment.
Conduct special procedures, including EKGs, arterial blood gas tests, pulmonary function tests, and surfactant delivery.
Assist physicians during caesarean section births, high-risk deliveries, and patient transport.
Ensure respiratory therapy equipment functions properly and is appropriately utilized; assist with disassembling, cleaning, disinfecting, reassembling, and storing equipment.
Evaluate patients’ responses to therapy and make necessary adjustments to treatment plans.