Respiratory Therapist

Overview
Under the supervision of the medical director, the Respiratory Therapist-Certified is responsible to provide respiratory care services in accordance with physicians' orders, department policies and procedures, as well as respiratory therapy-driven protocols. The Respiratory Therapist is responsible for providing basic and advanced care services to neonatal, pediatric, and adult patients.
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Responsibilities
Clinical Excellence/Patient Care

• Assesses and evaluates the respiratory status of neonatal, pediatric, and adult patients.
• Determines requirements for treatment, such as type, method, and duration of therapy, precautions to be taken, and medication and dosages, compatible with physicians' orders.
• Initiates, conducts, and modifies prescribed therapeutic and diagnostic procedures per established protocols.
• Monitors patient's physiological responses to therapy, such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, and blood chemistry changes, and consults with physician if adverse reaction occurs.
• Applies and monitors medical gases and related respiratory therapy modalities.
• Develops the respiratory care plan based on the assessment of the patient.
• Responds to Code Blue/Pink, Trauma, Rapid Response Team or other urgent calls for patient care.
• Provides emergency care, including artificial respiration, external cardiac massage and assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
• Sets up and operates devices such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, and aerosol generators, following specified parameters of treatment. Manages ventilators and artificial airway devices.
• Reviews patient information to assess patient condition.

Leadership/Collaboration

• Works collaboratively with the team of physicians, nurses and other health care professionals to manage patient care.
• Enforces safety rules and ensures careful adherence to physicians' orders.
• Deploys clinical quality initiatives in the respiratory therapy service line.
• Uses a variety of research techniques to assist the physician in cardiac and pulmonary best practices.
• Demonstrates respiratory care procedures to trainees and other health care personnel.
• Collaborates with community partners for the development and maintenance of community outreach programs.

Development/Education

• Performs pulmonary function testing and adjusts equipment to obtain optimum results in therapy.
• Educates patients and their families about their conditions and teaches appropriate disease management techniques, such as breathing exercises and the use of medications and respiratory equipment.
• Explains treatment procedures to patients to gain cooperation and allay fears.
• Maintains and updates department policies and procedures per evidence-based practice standards.
• Uses problem solving to identify and correct malfunctions of respiratory care equipment.

Basic UPH Performance Criteria

• Demonstrates the UnityPoint Health Values and Standards of Behaviors as well as adheres to policies, procedure, and safety guidelines.
• Demonstrates ability to meet business needs of department with regular, reliable attendance.
• Employee maintains current licenses and/or certifications required for the position.
• Practices and reflects knowledge of HIPAA, TJC, DNV, OSHA and other federal/state regulatory agencies guiding healthcare.
• Completes all annual education and competency requirements within the calendar year.
• Is knowledgeable of hospital and department compliance requirements for federally funded healthcare programs (e.g. Medicare and Medicaid) regarding fraud, waste and abuse. Brings any questions or concerns regarding compliance to the immediate attention of hospital administrative staff. Takes appropriate action on concerns reported by department staff related to compliance.

Qualifications
Minimum Requirements
Identify items that are minimally required to perform the essential functions of this position.
Preferred or Specialized
Not required to perform the essential functions of the position.
Education:
• Graduate of an approved 2-year associate degree program in Respiratory Care.
Experience:
• One year of clinical experience in Respiratory Care.
License(s)/Certification(s):
• Current Respiratory Therapy-Certified or Respiratory Therapy Registered licensure with the Iowa Department of Public Health.
• Registered Respiratory Therapist with the National Board for Respiratory Care within 6 months of hire.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification or completion within 90 days of employment.
• ACLS, PALS, NRP or proof of completion within 1 year of employment.
• Valid driver's license when driving any vehicle for work-related reasons.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
• Accountability
• Adaptability
• Communication - written & verbal
• Decision making
• Flexibility
• Customer/patient focused
• Independent Decision Making
• Managing priorities/deadlines
• Motivation
• Professionalism
• Teamwork
Other:
• Use of usual and customary equipment used to perform essential functions of the position.