Office Registered Respiratory Therapist - SMC Pulmonology Church Street Place

Position Summary

The Registered Respiratory Therapist under the guidance of the Department Director/Manager, and Medical Director utilizes knowledge and skill at the advanced level to provide direct age specific and culturally appropriate patient care through provision of adequate ventilation and oxygenation by use of medical gases and breathing equipment.  Assist respiratory medications and performs invasive procedures, such as tracheostomy care and other procedures as outlined on the competency grid form.   Assists as a clinical resource and participates in patient and staff education.

Minimum Requirements

Education         

·       Associate Degree graduate of specialized training in an approved Respiratory Therapy 2 year program or meets minimum requirements to qualify to take and pass the NBRC RRT examinations

Experience        

·       N/A

License/Registration/Certifications        

·       Must be Registered by the National Board for Respiratory Care with RRT credential

·       Must have current South Carolina Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) License

·       Must have and maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification as a minimum

·       Must opt into the National Board of Respiratory Care's searchable registry for the duration of employment with SRHS

Preferred Requirements

Preferred Education     

·       Associate of Science degree in Respiratory Therapy or a Bachelors in Respiratory Therapy

Preferred Experience    

·       1-2 years of experience in the specialty area

• Specialized training and 1-year experience in Pulmonary Functions and cardiac testing if applicable

Preferred License/Registration/Certifications    

·       Current certification in BLS

·       All areas require SC Respiratory Care Practitioner License; NBRC Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential

Core Job Responsibilities

·       Performs and documents detailed age specific respiratory assessment including heart rate, breath sounds, respiratory rate, and sputum characteristics, and notifies the physician as appropriate any identified abnormalities.

·       Checks EMR to verify physician orders for new/current and/or changes in orders on all assigned patients by reviewing medication list throughout the shift.

·       Recommends therapy modifications to ensure appropriateness of care using medical director approved oxygen and aerosol protocols.

·       Documents all assessments and procedures in EMR.

·       Ensures that appropriate critical path/standard of care/plan of care is identified and collaboratively implemented.

·       Performs and maintains regulatory required Pulmonary Function quality control procedures and healthy subject testing as indicated in policy.

• Processes final interpretation reports and delivers them to Medical Records for scanning into the EMR.

·       Performs Pulmonary Function testing as ordered by the referring physicians.

·       Ensures adequate supply inventory available for the cardiology, PFT areas as well as for Respiratory Care department.

·       Other Duties as Assigned