Respiratory Therapist

PURPOSE

Outline the job responsibilities of a Respiratory Therapist
(RRT, LRT, CRTT)

JOB DESCRIPTION

Respiratory Therapist who is knowledgeable in various types of acute care, emergency care, rehabilitative care, out-patient care as well as labor & delivery care
performed at NCMC. Applicant must work well with physicians and can prioritize task according to patient care needs. Therapist must be a Graduate of AMA approved 2 or 4 year Respiratory Therapy Program or completion of AMA approved program equivalency, who is currently licensed by the LSBME. Be BLS certified, ACLS & PALS certified within 6 months of hire date. Therapist must be dependable and able to work independently with no or minimal supervision.

DUTIES:

1. Assesses patients using a variety of diagnostic tests and monitoring devices to evaluate the patient’s cardiopulmonary status. Appropriately documents all
assessments, treatments, procedures, test results and patient responses in a timely manner.

2. Provides and documents emergency care including airway management, intubation and CPR. Responds to emergencies in hospital as needed and assists the team in a calm and effective manner when responding to emergencies.

3. Provides and documents education administered to the transdisciplinary team, patient and family concerning diagnosis, treatment and post discharge care. Provides training and supervision of respiratory techniques for members of the transdisciplinary team. Works in collaboration with the transdisciplinary team, patient and family.

4. Plans and organizes work to effectively schedule patient treatments, maintain patient records and charges. Inspects, cleans, tests, maintains and rotates respiratory therapy equipment to ensure that equipment is functioning safely and efficiently, requesting repairs when necessary. Reports equipment maintenance and/or repair timely.

5. Participates in departmental data collection to quality patient care and safety. Participates in Laboratory and/or Point of Care quality control, proficiency testing and performance improvement activities.

6. The knowledge and skills necessary to perform the position requirements are demonstrated through the successful completion of competencies established for the position to include population served and other special needs of patients or customers served by the department.

7. Adheres to policies, procedures, all safety plans and all standards imported by regulatory organizations.

8. Regular attendance and timeliness is required.

This description is a general statement of required
essential functions performed on a regular and continuous basis. It does not exclude other duties as assigned.

EXPERIENCE

Graduate of an AMA approved 2 or 4 year Respiratory Therapy program or completion of AMA approved program equivalency. Fulfillment
of RT requirements established by state and/or licensing agency or authority.

LICENSURE/CERTIFICATATION

Current Respiratory Therapy license in the state where practicing is required. Current BLS is required. ALCS and PALS certification is required within six (6) months of hire. Current membership in State affiliation, National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC) or American Association of Respiratory Care (AARC) is desired. All Respiratory Therapists must maintain current licensure, BLS, ACLS and PALS certifications while employed with North Caddo Medical Center

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Ability to lift, move, transport and position patients, equipment or supplies/materials up to fifty (50) pounds without assistance; or over fifty (50) pounds with the
aid of mechanical assistance or assistance of personnel.

2. Range of motion and mobility of self by positioning or moving around hospital to include sitting, standing, walking, bending, squatting, stooping, kneeling, crawling, climbing, and reaching.

3. Ability to communicate with patients, families, physicians, co-workers and visitors to be able to exchange accurate information regarding patient condition and health status. Ability to exchange and express information by means of language and communication information effectively.

4. Ability to hear the nature of sounds. Ability to detect clinical alarms and conversation. Ability to give full attention to what other people are saying, taking
time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

5. Ability to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

6. Ability to monitor/assess performance of yourself, to make improvements or take corrective action.

7. Ability to see things at close range and match and/or detect difference between colors, including color a d brightness.

8. Ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble small objects.

9. Ability to keep your hand steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

10. Ability to understand the implication of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision making. Ability to use scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

11. Ability to identify problems and review related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

12. Ability to respond to an emergency or crisis in a calm and professional manner as a team member to resolve the crisis or emergency.

13. Ability to work independently and perform routine and detail-oriented tasks. Ability to manage one’s own time.

14. Ability to consider the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

15. Ability to collect and analyze numerical, written data and verbal communication to reach logical conclusions and ability to determine the time, place and sequence of operations or action.

16. Ability to review, assess, record or type data quickly and accurately.

17. Ability to observe and recognize or identify changes in patient’s health status or condition.

18. Ability to review and operate required equipment.

19. Ability to perform mathematical equations.

20. Ability to view and operate required equipment.

21. Ability to determine resources needed in order to provide quality patient care.

22. Ability to make independent judgments and decision.

23. Ability to respond or make adjustments to a modality of therapy, as appropriate, when a
deviation from routine care is required.

ENVIRONMENTAL/WORKING CODNTIONS

1. Category 1 – Infection exposure due to required tasks which routinely involve a potential for mucous membrane or skin contact with blood, body fluid tissues or potential spills or splashes.

2. Ability to work along or with minimal supervision.

3. Contact with patients, families, co-workers, physicians and visitors.

4. Ability to work under and handle stress in an appropriate manner.

5. Ability to handle multiple tasks.

6. Ability to work long hours between breaks and meals may be required.

7. Exposure to high, medium or low noise intensity.

MACHINERY/TOOLS/EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

1. Ability to operate all cardiopulmonary equipment, nursing call system, telephone, fax machine, copy machine, computer,
printer, calculator