Respiratory Therapist

Lewis County General Hospital•Lowville, NY

10d•$30 - $44•Onsite

About The Position

Administers standardized prescribed respiratory therapy services to patients in a hospital, nursing home or health-related facility. This role involves administering oxygen, therapeutic and medicinal gases, mist-inhalation, and aerosolized drugs to hospitalized patients. The work is performed based on medical orders from a licensed physician under the general direction of a higher-ranking technician or therapist, adhering to New York State Licensure Act regulations for Respiratory Therapists, with limited leeway for independent judgment in technical details.

Requirements

Possession of a valid license and current registration (or valid temporary permit) issued by the New York State Education Department as a Respiratory Therapist.
Good knowledge of the current methods, equipment, applications, and limitations of respiratory therapy.
Good knowledge of safety standards used in the application of resuscitation equipment, oxygen, aerosol medication, and other equipment used in respiratory therapy.
Working knowledge of the respiratory system, its normal functions, and common malfunctions.
Working knowledge of the physiological effects of various respiratory therapy gases and gaseous mixtures on the human body, including the lungs, heart, blood, nervous system, and brain.
Ability to communicate calmly and reassuringly with people under stress.
Ability to keep records and make reports.
Good motor and eye coordination.
Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

Responsibilities

Sets up, positions, and operates various types of oxygen, therapeutic gas, and mist-inhalation equipment to administer prescribed doses of medicinal gases and aerosolized drugs to patients.
Confers with patients, explains treatment and breathing procedures to alleviate fears and anxieties.
Prepares and positions patients, places and fits face masks, arranges tents or hoods, or tapes cannulae or catheters in position.
Prepares medications according to prescription, adds them to equipment, and adjusts equipment to regulate pressure, breathing cycle, and ratio of inhalant to air.
Operates intermittent positive pressure breathing apparatus to deliver medicinal gases and drugs in aerosolized mist to patients.
Observes patients during therapy and notifies superiors of any adverse reactions.
Visits respiratory therapy patients frequently to ensure physician's orders are carried out and apparatus is operating properly.
Disassembles, cleans, and sterilizes equipment, and performs inspections and tests to ensure proper operating conditions.
Maintains adequate supplies of oxygen and other gases and takes inventories of respiratory therapy equipment.
Prepares a variety of records and reports.