Job Summary:
Monitors and ensures proper operation and functioning of respiratory therapy equipment. Monitors patients' physiological parameters during therapy. Administers medical gases and aerosolized drugs.
Essential Responsibilities:
- Initiates therapy under a physician's order and makes appropriate recommendations for modalities of therapy.
- Implements therapy for, and monitors patients while on continuous mechanical ventilators and all modes of positive pressure breathing devices.
- Utilizes clinical and other data to assess cardiopulmonary status of patients.
- Assists in intubation.
- Provides bedside spirometry.
- Evaluates ventilator-dependent patients' readiness to wean.
- Administers humidified medical gases as ordered by practitioners with authority to prescribe.
- Interprets blood gas results.
- Consults attending physician/practitioner regarding appropriate therapy.
- Performs arterial punctures.
- Withdraws blood samples from indwelling lines.
- Provides ventilatory support during special procedures.
- Coordinates transport of ventilatory equipment.
- Implements and monitors care of patients on heated aerosols and CPAP as per practitioner order.
- Develops good working relationships with laboratory, x-ray, infection control, nursing, physicians, and other healthcare workers to maintain optimum total patient care.
- Cleans and maintains all respiratory therapy equipment.
- Assists in maintaining adequate inventory of respiratory supplies.
- Conducts quality control tests on all respiratory equipment.
- Maintains equipment in safe, workable order; requests repair when necessary.
- Participates in continuous quality improvement teams as required.
- Monitors esophageal pressures, swan ganz catheter data, CVP, arterial blood pressures, electrolytes, fluid balance, and intravascular volumes as they pertain to respiratory patients.
- Performs chest physiotherapy, manual ventilation, and suctioning.
- Positions patients to facilitate respiration.
- Performs tracheostomy care and mouth care on intubated/trached patients.
- Changes tracheostomy tube as ordered.
- Performs electroencephalogram as ordered, including taking measurements of the head, placement of electrodes, acquisition of data, and monitoring of vital signs.
- Performs polysomnography as ordered for sleep studies.
- Documents pertinent information in medical record.
- Documents care provided in medical record.
- Monitors disease processes, arterial and venous catheter placement, and endotracheal tube placement via chest x-ray.
- Communicates pertinent patient information to physicians, practitioners, and nurses as appropriate.
- Participates in patient rounds with Pulmonologist/Intensivist/Neonatologist.
- Responds to and participates in Code Blue as part of Code team/RRT Team.
- Able to instruct patient and family on disease processes and treatments provided by Respiratory Therapy in accordance with the hospital patient/family education policies and procedures.
- Assumes on-call status as needed.
- Other duties as assigned.
Basic Qualifications:
Experience
- Completion of a clinical rotation in critical care/intensive care environment, including care of respiratory needs of acutely ill patients.
Education
- Associate's degree with a major in Respiratory Therapy OR a certificate of completion from a Respiratory Care Program.
License, Certification, Registration
- Respiratory Therapist License (Hawaii) required at hire.
- Neonatal Resuscitation Program required at hire from American Academy of Pediatrics.
- Basic Life Support required at hire.
- Registered Respiratory Therapist Certificate within 3 months of hire from National Board of Respiratory Care.
Additional Requirements:
- Demonstrated knowledge of and skill in written communication, oral communication, interpersonal relations, customer service, decision making, problem solving, and teamwork.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with NICU (neonatal intensive care) and cardiac surgery patients.
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