Respiratory Therapist

* Demonstrates ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs.
* Identifies the physical, motor, sensory, cognitive and psychosocial characteristics for age group(s) served.
* Demonstrates age appropriate communication skills.
* Demonstrates ability to provide the care needed as described in the job description and the department's scope of service for the patient groups under his/her care.

Assessment Diagnostics

* Reviews existing data in the patient health-carerecord including admission and current respiratory care orders, the patient medical, occupational and social history, physical examination, pulmonary function values, blood gas results, chest x-ray, related laboratory data, ECG, etc.
* Collects and evaluates additional pertinent clinical information by conducting a physical assessment and patient interview.
* Performs and evaluates bedside pulmonary function parameters to include spirometric data, pulmonary mechanics, and air flow measurements, for purposes of monitoring status or trends in a patient's progress.
* Performs arterial blood acquisition via arterial puncture or indwelling arterial catheter.
* Conducts clinical rounds on all assigned patients, to assess the care provided, assess response to treatment, maintain accurate patient census, evaluate equipment operation and verify utilization data for administrative purposes.

Equipment/Supplies Management
*Prepares patient care equipment for use by assembling and/or calibrating the necessary components, checking system for proper function and cleanliness, and correcting malfunctions where necessary. Equipment shall include, but not necessarily be limited to:

* Medical gas administration, metering, and analyzing equipment; resuscitation, airway management, and suctioning equipment; Ventilatorsupport equipment, monitoring and diagnostic equipment.
* Has access to the patient medication drawers, the pyxis, pyxis refrigerator and nurse server drawers for obtaining respiratory medications.
* Maintains adequate stock of supplies, reporting replacement needs to supervisor.
* Removes defective equipment from service, by replacement, and properly identifies problem, delivers to Clinical Engineering department with appropriate explanation of the problem and reports event to supervisor.

Consultation
* Conducts in-service training for department and non-department staff (physicians, nurses, public, etc.).
* Participates in the patient discharge planning process, through patient and family education and instruction, establishment of therapeutic goals, and defines monitoring criteria. Includes arranging for home care equipment at time of discharge, in cooperation with case management services.
* Conducts Respiratory Care education encounters in a clinical setting, or as part of the department continuing education program.

Documentation

• Assists physician in performing bronchoscopy, tracheostomy placement/change, and invasive monitoring. Changes tracheotomytubes according to written policy/procedure.
• Performs pulmonary rehabilitation activities such as breathing retraining, ambulation exercises with oxygen, and patient self-care instruction.
• Performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation as a required.

EEG Related duties:

Under minimal supervision performs a variety of standard and complex diagnostic neurological tests to facilitate the diagnosis and treatment of cerebral impairment.

Provide quality electroneurodiagnostic testing, which includes Electroencephalography(EEG), Evoked Potentials (EP), Epilepsy Monitoring and Polysomnography (PSG), Electromyogram (EMG) and/or Nerve Conduction Velocity (NCV) testing.

Conducts electroneurodiagnostic studies for inpatients and outpatients, including neonates.

Calculates and analyzes standard and special procedure test results.

• Graduate of an approved Respiratory Care Practitioner program.
• Registered Respiratory Therapist required or obtained within six months.
• Associates degree required; BS/BA degree is desirable.
• If assigned to Pulmonary Function/Pulmonary Rehab, Certified Pulmonary Function Technician (CPFT) or Registered Pulmonary Function Technician (RPFT) required within one year.
• Possesses a strong understanding of pulmonary anatomy and physiology relative to the tests performed.
• Should be mechanically inclined with good manual dexterity for equipment troubleshooting.
• Two (2) or more years experience in cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation setting preferred, relevant to the settings to which the employee will be assigned and must pass hospital Arrhythmia test within three months.

Johns HopkinsHealth Systemand its affiliatesare an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, national origin, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.