PRN Respiratory Therapist

Administers respiratory care and life support to patients with cardiopulmonary system deficiencies and abnormalities. Trains and acts as a resource for respiratory department technicians.

Organizational Expectations

Provides a positive and professional representation of the organization.

Promotes culture of safety for patients and employees through proper identification, reporting, documentation, and prevention.

Maintains hospital standards for a clean and quiet patient environment to maintain a positive patient care experience.

Maintains competency and knowledge of current standards of practice, trends, and developments in related scope of job role or practice.

Adheres to infection-control policies and protocols, medication administration and storage procedures, and controlled substance regulations.

• Participates in ongoing quality improvement activities.
• Maintains compliance with organization’s policies, as well as established practices, protocols, and procedures of the position, department, and applicable professional standards.
• Complies with organizational and regulatory policies for handling confidential patient information.

Demonstrates excellent customer service through his/her attitude and actions, consistent with the standards contained in the Vision, Mission, and Values of the organization.

Adheres to professional standards, hospital policies and procedures, federal, state, and local requirements, and DNV standards and/or standards from other accrediting bodies.

Essential Functions

• Assesses patients and recommends respiratory therapy treatments.
• Plans, prepares, and administers respiratory therapy treatments including aerosol, chest physical therapy, incentive spirometry, and sputum inductions, in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Performs diagnostic pulmonary and cardiac tests.
• Records patient treatment, response, and progress.
• Inspects, tests, maintains, and operates respiratory therapy equipment.
• Responds to "code blue" calls and assists by maintaining the patient's airway and performing CPR.

Reads prescription, measures arterial blood gases, and reviews patient information to assess patient condition and determine requirements for treatment such as type and duration of therapy, and medication and dosages.

Determines most suitable method of administering inhalants, precautions to be observed, and modifications which may be needed that will be compatible with physician's orders.

Sets up and operates devices such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, and aerosol generators.

Operates equipment to ensure specified parameters of treatment such as volume, gas, concentration, humidity, and temperature, and to administer medicinal gases and aerosol drugs to patients.

Monitors patient's physiological responses to therapy such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, and blood chemistry changes.

• Performs bronchopulmonary drainage and assists patient in performing breathing exercises.
• Performs pulmonary function tests to be used by physician in diagnosis of case.
• Observes equipment function and adjusts equipment to obtain optimum results to therapy.
• Consults with physician in event of adverse reactions.
• Maintains patient's chart that contains pertinent identification and therapy information.
• Inspects and tests respiratory therapy equipment to ensure equipment is functioning safely and efficiently.
• Orders repairs when needed.
• Demonstrates respiratory care procedures to trainees and other health care personnel.

Able to perform tasks without supervision after competence has been verified by the director of the area, and only under the medical direction of a licensed provider.

Requirements

Job Requirements

Graduate of a Respiratory Therapy school accredited by the Committee for Allied Health Education and Accreditation of the American Medical Association.

Associates degree or equivalent from a two-year college or technical school. Licensed through the Ohio Respiratory Care Board.

• One year healthcare experience preferred.
• CPR - approved by the American Heart Association.
• ACLS - approved by the American Heart Association.
• PALS – approved by the American Heart Association.

Functional Demands

Working Conditions and Physical Environment

• Works in a patient care setting where there is potential exposure to blood, body fluids, infectious materials; and electrical, fire, chemical, physical contact and equipment hazards.
• Fast-paced setting with rapid patient turnover.
• High patient traffic.
• Close-quartered and shared work space.
• Sufficient mobility to negotiate physical plant.

Strength and endurance sufficient enough to perform physically for long periods of time without sitting (four to eight hours). May include: walking; lifting 25 – 50lbs with or without assistance; bending; twisting; standing; sitting; reaching; stair-climbing and descending.

Physical dexterity and psychomotor skills to respond adequately and appropriately to routine and emergency patient care needs in an ambulatory setting.

Visual and auditory capabilities sufficient to read information and respond to patient care needs.

Ability to work in a computerized environment that includes prolonged sitting and use of keyboard, mouse, and monitor.

Cognitive ability to accurately observe, analyze, and interpret general and technical data both verbal and written to accurately communicate this information.