Registered Respiratory Technologist

Overview

Provide respiratory care services that are covered under the employee's limited license to practice respiratory care.

Special Instructions

Responsibilities

• Equipment storage, assembly, disassembly, and maintenance.

• Gas cylinder transport.

• Administration of oxygen.

• Administration of hand held nebulizer treatments.

• Instruction of incentive spirometers.

• Instruction of metered dose inhalers.

• Sputum inductions.

• Subsequent applications of CPAP and BiPAP.

• Blood gas analysis.

• Pulmonary function testing.

• Ventilator application and maintenance (only with direct observation by preceptor).

• Ventilator application and maintenance (without direct observation).

• Arterial punctures.

• Hemodynamic line draws.

• Manual ventilation during CPR and transport.

• Naso-tracheal suctioning.

• Responsible for the safe and effective administration of medically prescribed medication, knowing their indications and contraindications.

• Knows and follows the indications and contraindications, the policy and procedures in administering therapeutic modalities to include IPPB, IS, USN, HHN, MDI.

• Sets up and monitors oxygen administration.

• Sets up oxygen cylinders and assures proper usage and safety measures are in place.

• Performs bedside PFT tests. May be requested to perform test in PFT lab following adequate training and/or orientation.

• Be a member of the “code team” responding to arrest situations. As part of the team may be expected to perform CPR (compression). Must be certified in CPR procedures annually.

• Daily/weekly preventive maintenance and calibration, quality controls of ABG and co-oximeter analyzers.

• Familiar with oxygen delivery systems (i.e., nasal, venturi mask).

• Familiar with measuring devices to include, but not limited to, pulse oximeter, Wrights respirometer, oxygen blenders.

• Responsible for the set-up, safety check, monitoring, and troubleshooting of mechanical ventilators in collaboration with a respiratory therapist.

• Familiar with CPAP and BIPAP set-up and administration of CPAP and BIPAP.

• Maintains accurate and legible records, documenting clinical notes in patient’s charts.

• Participation in reporting patient progress, and prioritizing patient condition to the next shift.

• Proper documentation in department records.

• Participates in staff meetings, attends lectures, conferences, and seminars.

• Attends all required safety training programs and can describe his/her responsibilities related to general safety, department/service safety, and specific job-related hazards.

• Follows the hospital exposure control plans/bloodborne and airborne pathogens.

• Demonstrates respect and regard for the dignity of all patients, families, visitors, and fellow employees to ensure a professional, responsible, and courteous environment.

• Promotes effective working relations and works effectively as part of a department/unit team inter- and interdepartmentally to facilitate the department's/unit's ability to meet its goals and objectives.

Qualifications

Education

• High School Diploma or GED Required

• Associate's Degree in Respiratory Care Required

Required Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

• Working knowledge of problem solving and decision making skills.

• Working knowledge of digital literacy skills.

• Outpatient services:

• Pulmonary Function test (PFT)

• Ankle Brachial Index (ABI)

• Stress test

• Home sleep study

• IN-Lab sleep study

• Electroencephalogram (EEG)

• Holter monitor

• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)

• Six minute walk test

• Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehab:

• Phase I - Initial assessment

• Phase II - individualized plan including monitored exercises

• Phase III - self-controlled long term maintenance

Licenses & Certifications

• Kentucky Board of Respiratory Care Required

• National Board of Respiratory Care Required

• BLS Required

• ACLS (cardiac and rehab staff) Required