Respiratory Therapist (Rrt/Crt) (Prn- As Needed)

Summary/Objective: The Respiratory Therapist is responsible for providing Cardiopulmonary care services in accordance with specific physician orders, department policies and procedures, and hospital policy. The Respiratory Therapist administers respiratory care and life support to patients with deficiencies and abnormalities of the cardiopulmonary system, performs diagnostic tests of the cardiovascular and pulmonary system to aid physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of heart and lung disorders.
Essential Functions:
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Maintains knowledge of the various methods of oxygen delivery, including the necessary equipment. Remains alert, assesses possible side effects to oxygen delivery.
2. Administers respiratory therapy treatments, and nebulized medications. Understands the purpose of each and the possible side effects associated with each.
3. Performs Chest Physio-Therapy involving percussion, postural drainage in order to loosen and mobilize secretions in the lungs and to clear the airway.
4. Sets-up and monitors mechanical ventilators and performs the critical care duties associated with the procedure.
5. Monitors patient to ensure adequate ventilation during Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.
6. Performs arterial punctures to obtain arterial blood samples and understands the possible complications and contraindications associated with the procedure. The therapist will also perform blood gas analysis.
7. Performs Pulmonary Function Testing.
8. Follows departmental equipment maintenance, cleaning, sterilization and packaging procedures as necessary.
9. Documents all pertinent data in the patient's medical record following the completion of any service, and reports the condition of the patient to nurse, physician or relief personnel.
10. Performs EKGs, sends reports to physicians who request them, and files reports with medical records according to department procedures.
11. Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of the differences in technique and treatment modalities as performed on patients of varying ages, including pediatric, adolescent and geriatric patients.
12. Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of oxygen concentrations and medication doses as they relate to patients of varying ages, including pediatric, adolescent and geriatric patients.
13. Manages and operates equipment safely and correctly. Inspects and test respiratory therapy equipment to ensure that it is functioning safely and efficiently.
14. Maintains Department in a clean, neat and orderly condition.
15. Treats patients and their families with respect and dignity. Explains the purpose and procedure of treatments, tests and equipment to the patient and family. Coordinates and directs patient care to ensure patient's needs are met and that hospital policy is followed.

Competencies:

1. Knowledge in general clinical services.
2. Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
3. Ability to determine appropriate course of action in more complex situations.
4. Ability to work independently, and with other team members, exercise creativity, to be attentive to detail, and maintain a positive attitude.
5. Ability to manage multiple and simultaneous responsibilities and to prioritize scheduling of work.
6. Ability to maintain confidentiality of all medical, financial, and legal information.
7. Ability to complete work assignments accurately and in a timely manner.
8. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
9. Ability to handle difficult situations involving patients, physicians, or others in a professional manner. Always responds in a courteous manner to patients and all others, and demonstrates a good rapport with co-workers and all members of the hospital team.
10. Maintains the highest standards of professional performance for the benefit of the patient, physician and community in accordance with professional standards and Code of Ethics.

Supervisory Responsibility:
Performs certain duties or functions of the department director as delegated or on a temporary basis during the absence of the director.
Work Environment:
Work in varying degrees of temperature (heated or air conditioned).
Work under extreme pressures.
Work with the risk of possible exposure to various communicable or infectious diseases.
Work with risk of possible exposure to hazardous and toxic chemicals that require special care in their usage.
AAP/EEO Statement
Sweeny Community Hospital provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for their job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Requirements
Physical Demands:

• Position requires light to moderate work with 50 lbs maximum weight to lift and carry without assistance. Anything over 50 lbs the employee will have another person help them or use some type of lift device.
• Duties may require reaching, bending, stretching, stooping and handling objects with hands and/or fingers.
• Position requires the ability to walk the length of the hospital on own.
• Position requires the ability to help move a patient with another employee or a lifting device.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• Therapist must be able to take call on a rotating schedule as needed and be able to respond to call within 30 minutes of being called.
• Therapist must be able to work weekends and holidays on a rotating shift.
• Therapist must be able to work extended shifts or night shifts under circumstances such as working with patients on continuous mechanical ventilation or during disasters.
• Therapist must be willing to work overtime if circumstances warrant a need for it.
• Therapist attends/presents in-service programs of department and hospital as requested; attends seminars and workshops at local and state levels if needed.

TRAVEL
No travel is needed for this position except for that needed to complete required continuing education and/or training.
Required Education, Experience and License

• NBRC Registered or Certified and current state license (RCP).
• Therapist must have the ability to acquire a working proficiency of various types of therapy and testing.
• Therapist must maintain a current BLS certification and acquire ACLS certification and maintain it within 6 months of hire.