General Purpose:
The Respiratory Therapist performs the duties and tasks of a respiratory care practitioner with special emphasis on long-term care. Upon the request of the physician, sets up and operates various types of respiratory care equipment to be utilized in the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory disease and/or illness.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Explains purpose and procedure of treatments, tests, and equipment to the resident and authorized caregivers and/or family members.
- Uses knowledge of growth and development principles to anticipate care needs of residents in the adult and geriatric states of development.
- Applies criteria for recognition of abuse and follows policies for making appropriate referral/interventions.
- Conducts physician prescribed treatments of a routine nature operation Intermittent Positive Pressure Breathing (IPPB) Machine, various oxygen devices, nebulizer and ultrasonic nebulizer in order to administer prescribed medicinal vapors and gases, humidity, and various oxygen concentrations to the respiratory system of the resident.
- Performs chest physical therapy treatments involving percussion, postural drainage, and suctioning in order to mobilize secretions and mucus in the lungs and to clear airway blockage in the respiratory systems.
- With appropriate authorizations, performs arterial puncture, operates blood gas analyzer measuring and determining the acid base balance efficiency of ventilation, and metabolism of the respiratory system.
- Sets up, operates and monitors ventilators when resident's respiratory system is incapable of adequate spontaneous ventilation.
- Ensures the adequate maintenance of ventilation during cardio-pulmonary resuscitation.
- Performs pulmonary function studies determining the volume, distribution, and movement of air in the respiratory system.
- Records all pertinent information of treatments and resident response to treatments on respiratory care records and resident chart.
- Reports treatment to be conducted and conditions of residents to relief personnel.
- Processes respiratory care equipment - cleaning, sterilizing, and packaging as required.
- Performs preventative maintenance and repair of equipment as needed.
- Makes regular rounds - checking resident's oxygen equipment, replacing humidifiers as necessary, as well as spot checking other respiratory therapy equipment on a timely basis.
- Participates in the Hazardous Material Program as may be required, including exposure to blood and other bodily fluids, possible communicable diseases, sharp objects and instruments, assorted chemicals and gases as listed in the Hazardous Materials Program Manual.
- Participates in QI activities as requested.
- Must have time management skills to provide care in a timely manner.
- Understands the unique qualities and works well within our guidelines in reference to all paperwork and supportive documentation.
The above statements reflect the general details considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job as identified and shall not be considered as a complete or detailed description of all work requirements that may be inherent in the position.
Additional Job Requirements:
- All duties of a Respiratory Care Provider.
- Maintain shift coverage in the event that you cannot honor a scheduled shift. In the event no coverage can be obtained, the respiratory therapist is required to honor the scheduled shift.
- Review and sign all In-service education as conducted.
- Maintenance of Respiratory Therapy license & CPR cards and continued education.
- Attend IDT meetings as required.
- Collect data as requested.
- Maintain respiratory logs, forms and controls as required and as requested.
- Communicate deficiencies in Respiratory Supply Management to supervisor.
- Other duties as assigned and as required.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Current California Respiratory License. Credentialed by the NBRC.
- Basic Life Support Certification. ACLS preferred.
- Must be able to work under stress and in emergency situations.
- Must be able to work under conditions that require sitting, standing, walking, reaching, pulling, pushing, lifting and grasping.
- Visual acuity is required to observe details of instruments required for life support.
- Must be able to drive and travel as necessary.
- Must be proficient in basic computer use and Microsoft Office software applications.
- Minimum of one (1) year paid respiratory experience in an acute and/or subacute unit preferred.
Physical Demands:
- Occasional bending, squatting, reaching and lifting.
- Fine manipulation of repetitive grasping, pushing and pulling.
- Specific vision abilities required by job include distance and peripheral vision.
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