Respiratory Therapist

Tentative Schedule: Monday - Friday (0800 to 1700)

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision paid 100% by Facility
• 3% Retirement match
• Life Flight & Airlift NW Insurance
• PTO
• EIB
• Employee Assistance Program
• Local Discounts

Job Summary

The Respiratory Therapist (RT) provides comprehensive cardiopulmonary diagnostic, therapeutic, and rehabilitative services for patients across the lifespan in both Ferry County Hospital, Republic Medical Clinic and Curlew Medical Clinic settings. This position supports acute care, emergency services, swing bed, outpatient services, cardiac rehabilitation, pulmonary function testing, cardiac diagnostics, and community health initiatives.

The Respiratory Therapist works collaboratively with providers, nursing staff, rehabilitation services, and ancillary departments to deliver safe, evidence-based care while supporting the mission of providing high-quality rural healthcare services.

Essential Duties and Responsibilites

Respiratory Care Services

Assess, treat, and monitor patients with cardiopulmonary disorders.

Administer Respiratory Therapies

• Perform patient assessments and develop respiratory care plans.
• Monitor and document patient responses to therapy.
• Assist with emergency airway management and respiratory emergencies.
• Participate in Rapid Response and Code Blue events.
• Assist providers with intubation and ventilatory support when applicable.
• Provide respiratory education to patients, families, and caregivers.
• Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT)
• Perform and interpret quality assurance measures for spirometry, pre-and post-bronchodilator testing, lung volume testing, diffusion fusion capacity testing (DLCO), pulmonary screening programs
• Ensure Testing meets current ATS/ERS standards
• Prepare reports for provider review
• Educate patients regarding testing procedures and results

Cardiac Diagnostic Services

• Perform and document 12-Lead Electrocardiograms (EKGs), rhythm strips, holter monitor placement and retrieval, event monitor placement and retrieval, and ambulatory cardiac monitoring
• Assist with stress testing procedures as appropriate.
• Maintain competency in recognizing cardiac arrhythmias and urgent findings.
• Notify providers of critical findings according to policy.

Cardiac Rehabilitation

• Coordinate and provide Phase II cardiac rehabilitation services.
• Monitor patient exercise sessions.
• Obtain and document, vital signs, cardiac rhythms, exercise tolerance, patient progress
• Provide education regarding heart disease management, lifestyle modification, exercise safety, medication compliance and risk factor reduction
• Collaborate with providers and rehabilitation staff to develop individualized treatment plans.
• Emergency Department Support
• Respond to respiratory emergencies.
• Assist with airway management, oxygen delivery systems, mechanical ventilation, trauma response, cardiac arrest response
• Maintain readiness of emergency respiratory equipment.
• Equipment and Quality Management

Maintain Respiratory and Cardiopulmonary Equipment

• Conduct quality control testing and preventative maintenance checks.
• Troubleshoot equipment issues and coordinate repairs.
• Maintain compliance with regulatory requirements and accreditation standards
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives and departmental audits.

Outpatient Cardiopulmonary Services

• The Respiratory Therapist provides comprehensive inpatient and outpatient cardiopulmonary diagnostic, therapeutic, educational, and rehabilitative services including but not limited to:
• Nebulizer (Neb), Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI), spacer, and CPAP/BiPAP patient education and training.
• Performance and interpretation support for outpatient 12-lead EKGs.
• Cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation services.
• Pulmonary Function Testing (PFTs), including pre- and post-bronchodilator testing.
• Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) collection and analysis.
• Holter monitor placement, retrieval, patient education, and data management.
• Six-Minute Walk Tests (6MWT) and other cardiopulmonary exercise assessments.
• Home sleep apnea testing (HSAT) setup, patient education, equipment management, and data collection.
• Oxygen qualification testing and oxygen therapy evaluations.
• COPD, asthma, heart failure, and chronic lung disease management education.

Smoking Cessation Counseling and Education

• Assessment, initiation, monitoring, troubleshooting, and weaning of BiPAP, CPAP, High Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC) and Mechanical Ventilation
• Participation in ventilator management in collaboration with providers.
• Monitoring and management of oxygen therapy and airway clearance therapies.

Education and Clinical Leadership

• Serve as the hospital's respiratory care subject matter expert.
• Provide respiratory and cardiopulmonary education to nursing staff, providers, EMS personnel, and ancillary departments.
• Assist with competency validation and annual skills training related to respiratory equipment and therapies.
• Educate staff regarding oxygen therapy, BiPAP and CPAP management, HFNC management, ventilator monitoring, airway management, inhaler administration, pulmonary disease management and smoking cessation interventions.
• Participate in quality improvement, policy development, and regulatory compliance activities.
• Assist in developing respiratory protocols, order sets, and evidence-based clinical practices.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Knowledge of respiratory disease processes and treatment modalities.
• Ability to perform pulmonary diagnostics and cardiac monitoring procedures.
• Knowledge of cardiac rehabilitation principles.
• Ability to interpret EKG rhythms and recognize urgent findings.
• Strong patient assessment and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to function independently in a rural healthcare environment.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities.
• Proficiency with electronic health records and computerized diagnostic equipment.

Job Knowledge & Qualifications

Education And/or Work Experience Requirements

Graduate of an accredited Respiratory Therapy program

Active Washington State Respiratory Therapist License

This is a safety sensitive position and subject to RCW 49.44.240(3)(g).