Respiratory Therapist

Respiratory Therapist

Department: Administration

FLSA Classification: Non-exempt

Reports to: Director of Rehabilitation & Administrator

Overview of the Position

The Respiratory Therapist role evaluates, treats, and cares for patients with breathing or other cardiopulmonary disorders. Practicing under the direction of the Respiratory Department Head. Respiratory therapists assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care therapeutic treatments and diagnostic procedures, including the supervision of respiratory therapy Technicians.

In this capacity, the Respiratory Therapist is expected to practice safe and ethical care within their designated scope of practice, as defined by the State Regulatory Agency, and under the direction of the Respiratory Department Head. It is essential for the Respiratory Therapist to be aware of their own limitations and to proactively seek advice and assistance when necessary.

Specific duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Assesses patients and recommends respiratory therapy treatments.

• The doctor recommends respiratory therapy treatments.

• Plans, prepares and administers respiratory therapy treatments including IPPB, aerosol, chest physical therapy, incentive spirometry, and sputum inductions, in accordance with established policies and procedures.

• Performs diagnostic pulmonary and cardiac tests.

• Inspects, tests, maintains and operates respiratory therapy equipment.

• Responds to “code blue” calls and assists by maintaining the patient’s airway and performs CPR.

• Instructs respiratory technicians.

• Patient care documentation is timely, legible, and efficient.

• Notes are concise, pertinent and meet departmental documentation standards.

• Oral reporting is clear, concise, relevant, and timely.

• Utilize resources and materials in an efficient and safe manner.

• Performs all duties promptly in a competent and caring manner.

• Present a neat appearance and dress in compliance with the client facilities’ policies.

• While on assignment, the Respiratory Therapist is responsible and accountable to their assigned patients and to the client institution. The Respiratory Therapist is under the direct supervision of the Department Head or other assigned personnel and must have the ability to follow directions/instruction from his/her supervisor.

Essential Functions

• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

• Participates in continuing education and learning experiences to enhance and maintain current knowledge and skills for continued competence.

• Perform all duties using proper body mechanics.

• Frequently move/lift between 50-100 pounds, depending on assignment requirements.

• Stand for long periods with frequent squatting, twisting, bending, kneeling and reaching to prepare equipment, materials or objects in order to provide patient care or maintain the patient environment.

• Sensory requirements include speech for communication and vision, smell, touch and hearing to assess patient status.

• Problem solving skills.

• Manual dexterity and fine motor coordination.

• Ability to work in a stressful environment.

• Consistent attendance is required to assure that the client facilities’ needs and patient needs are met.

• To comply with all client facilities’ policies, procedures and practices.

• To comply with all client policies and to uphold our standards of excellence while on assignment at our client facilities.

Working Conditions

• The Respiratory Therapist must understand and accept the possibility of exposure to inside environmental conditions, such as noise, infectious/communicable diseases, blood and bloodborne diseases, chemicals and/or chemical fumes, odors, gasses and dusts. There is also the possibility of physical injury/verbal abuse from an out of control patient and/or visitor. Frequent exposures to distressed patients, families or visitors.

Qualifications

• Associate degree from an accredited respiratory therapy program.

• Current license as a Respiratory Therapist as required by the state of California.

• One-year full time experience as a Respiratory Therapist.

• Current CPR/BLS Certification.

Work Schedules

• In the company’s health care locations, customer service is provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For quality care and outstanding customer service, we must staff properly. Employees may be scheduled to work on weekends and holidays to meet the needs of our patients. Managers will make every effort to develop department work schedules that provide a balanced share of time off and weekend, holiday and overtime work for each employee, whenever possible. Work schedules vary throughout the company. Staffing needs and operational demands may necessitate variations in starting and ending times, as well as variations in the total hours that may be scheduled each day and week.

Miscellaneous

• Ensure that all residents receive care in a manner and in an environment that maintains or enhances their quality of life without abridging the safety and rights of other residents.

• Ensure that each resident receives the necessary nursing, medical and psychosocial services to attain and maintain the highest possible mental and physical functional status, as defined by the comprehensive assessment and care plan.

• Develop and maintain the Preadmission Screening and Annual Review of Mentally Ill and Mentally Retarded Individuals (PASARR) program as necessary.

• Other duties as assigned by the Administrator.