she1012shem
Respiratory Therapist Certified
Job description
- Initiates, conducts, modifies and monitors the effects of respiratory care treatment plans, including therapeutic, diagnostic, monitoring and rehabilitation based on healthcare provider approved protocols and written physician order.
- Determines requirements for treatment, such as type, method and duration of therapy, precautions, and medication and dosages, compatible with healthcare provider orders.
- Explains treatment procedures to patients to gain cooperation and allay fears.
- Schedules and conducts Pulmonary Function Testing as ordered by the healthcare provider.
- Assesses and reviews patient conditions.
- Reports any adverse response to treatments to Registered Nurse, Director - Respiratory Therapy and Sleep Lab, or Health Care Provider.
- Administers respiratory therapy medications via hand held nebulizers and large volume aerosols.
- Administers inhaled bronchodilators, corticosteroids, leukotriene inhibitors, and antiasthmatic aerosols using both metered dose inhalers and nebulizers.
- Administers the proper amounts of oxygen to patients.
- Monitors patient's oxygen levels in the patient's blood and works with the healthcare provider to provide and adjust treatment accordingly.
- Provides Respiratory Therapy modalities within the respiratory therapy scope of practice.
- Conducts tests, such as Zio patches and stress testing, to evaluate patient's cardiopulmonary function.
- Performs Percussion and bronchopulmonary drainage and assist or instruct patients in performance of breathing exercises.
- Provides services to obtain and analyze blood specimens for blood gases and co-oximetry.
- Provides emergency care, including artificial respiration and assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
- Performs endotracheal and tracheal suctioning as needed to maintain airway patency.
- Provides pulmonary function testing, including airway mechanics, flow-volume loops, diffusion capacity, peak flow measurements and body box plethysmography data.
- Provides resuscitation and support services to all high-risk deliveries.
- Provides cardiac stress testing and pharmacologic stress testing.
- Assists in CPR as part of Trauma Team, primarily priming airway management, intubation, manual resuscitation, and arterial blood gas sampling and analysis.
- Draws ABGs if necessary.
- Performs EKGs if necessary.
- Provides set up of equipment and management of patients requiring invasive and noninvasive ventilation. This includes BIPAP and CPAP.
- Inspects, cleans, tests and maintains respiratory therapy equipment to ensure equipment is functioning safely and efficiently.
- Educates hospitalized, outpatient and their families about their conditions and teach appropriate disease management techniques, such as breathing exercises and the use of aerosol medications and respiratory equipment.
- Places patients on ventilators.
- Demonstrates skill in use of equipment relevant to position.
- Diagnoses equipment problems.
- Informs appropriate person of problems encountered with repairs or calibration of equipment.
- Communicates effectively.
- Communicates and collaborates effectively with other health team members regarding patient condition, nursing plan of care, patient satisfaction needs and recommendations for meeting identified outcomes.
- Follows approved shift report format when communicating patient information.
- Identifies and recognizes abnormal symptoms/changes in patient condition, established priorities, and takes appropriate action. Appropriately reports condition changes to medical provider .
- Promotes and ensures patient and staff safety in all aspects of responsibilities.
- Administers medications, treatments and procedures in a timely and safe manner according to health care provider orders and nursing policy, including appropriate performance of standard precautions, using two patient identifiers, and performing patient risk assessments every shift.
- Utilizes proper body mechanics, transfer/lifting techniques to minimize fall risk to patient and injury to self.
- Implements infectious disease controls as appropriate including isolation procedures, proper use of hand washing and gloves.
- Follows proper procedures for disposal of sharps and hazardous materials.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
