Registered Respiratory Therapist

The Registered Respiratory Therapist participates in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of patients with pulmonary disorders. Therapists are responsible for the initiation and management of Life Support Systems under the direction of the physician. The RRT may perform all tasks included in their license practice act within department guidelines and policies. The RRT must function with limited supervision, relying on their education and the guidance of the physician and supervisory staff. 

Responsibilities

1. Compliance/Quality: This will have been satisfactorily performed when…
   1. All departmental and organizational policies and procedures are observed; and all safety, quality assurance, and infection control standards are adhered to at all times.
   2. All regulatory guidelines such as TJC, CAP, and OSHA are observed as evidenced by overall lab compliance at benchmark of 95%.
   3. All pertinent clinical activities for patient care are documented correctly and accurately in a timely manner while preserving confidentiality of PHI under HIPPA standards. This is evidenced by lack of EMR errors and corrections.
   4. Universal Precautions, proper hand washing, and aseptic technique are performed with all patient care treatments, procedures, and interactions as evidenced by lack of complaints.
   5. Infection prevention protocols and strategies are adhered to as evidenced by timely and proper equipment changes, conversions, and connections to include HMEs, closed suction systems, active humidification, and subglottic suctioning endotracheal tubes.
2. Patient Care Delivery: This will have been satisfactorily performed when…
   1. Clinical assessments of patients in impending distress, requiring immediate therapeutic intervention, and appropriate care or course of action are provided as evidenced by improved patient outcomes.
   2. All clinical activities assigned and all respiratory care procedures and treatments are completed per departmental procedures or properly handed off in report for all patient care areas within responsibility. This is evidenced by lack of charting errors through routine audits.
   3. All medications are properly scanned, administered, and documented in accordance to departmental procedures as evidenced by scanning compliance at benchmark of 95% or within mean for patient care area.
   4. Proficiency in analysis of blood gas samples are demonstrated by assessing values for consistency, identifying factors contributing to any observed abnormalities, and recommending appropriate therapeutic intervention as evidenced by timely notification and documentation of critical values.
   5. Proficiency with mechanical ventilation and non invasive ventilation for all equipment within scope of practice are maintained as evidenced by competencies completion.
   6. Diagnostic procedures such as simple spirometry and pneumocardiograms are performed with accurate data capture as evidenced by study quality and physician interpretation.
   7. Age specific education for patients and/or families about respiratory procedures and treatments, as well as respiratory diseases and conditions, are conveyed to promote improved quality of life and overall lung health as evidenced by proper clinical documentation.
3. Collaboration/Partnerships: This will have been satisfactorily performed when…
   1. Participation in Quality rounds, department huddles and meetings, in-services and educational training sessions are recorded as evidenced by attendance.
   2. Participation with staff development by mentoring new team members and students as well as competency evaluations are conducted to departmental standards.
   3. Patient outcomes are communicated to other health team members; notification of changes in patient's condition are reported in a timely manner in an effort to provide quality care as evidenced by response time and/or TAT.
   4. Active engagement with members of the multi-disciplinary team to provide high quality patient care with a patient centered, team approach are evidenced by satisfaction survey and support card survey results.
4. Other Duties As Assigned: This will have been satisfactorily performed when…
   1. Other duties as assigned are completed.
   2. Participation in departmental/organizational committees, community service projects or by maintaining membership in professional organizations are observed and recorded.

Qualifications

Education:  Associates degree (10 years experience as Licensed Respiratory Therapist substituted for Associates degree)
Passing of both portions of NBRC Advanced Practitioner Registry Exam.

License:  Current Louisiana State licensure or permit issued by LSBME

Training:  Graduate of AMA approved program.

Certifications:
BLS certification
ACLS certification (within 1 year of hire)

Special Skills:  Good computer skills, interpersonal and human relations skills.  Oral and written communication skills; good problem-solving and critical thinking skills; time management/prioritization skills; good organizational skills.