Respiratory Therapist, CRT/ RRT (Full-Time || Day Shift)

Shift: Full Time, Day Shift

Classification: Non-Exempt

Required Education and Experience:

1. Minimum Associates degree in Respiratory Care from an accredited school of Respiratory Care and completed the requirements for certification by the National Board of Respiratory Care.
2. Current, valid certification in the state of Georgia as Certified Respiratory Therapist.
3. Current, valid AHA Healthcare Provider training (BCLS, PALS and ACLS). Must be obtained within three (3) months of hire.
4. Experience: Two (2) years in Respiratory Care

Summary/Objective

The certified respiratory therapist/ registered respiratory therapist is responsible for providing independent professional cardiopulmonary care/diagnostic procedures to patients of all ages. This position is a member of the interdisciplinary team for patient care. At all times, works under the guidelines set forth by the delineation of clinical privileges established by the Medical Director and where final and
ultimate authority, judgement, and clinical decision-making are the responsibility of the physician. Communicates with physicians, nurses, other healthcare workers, patients, and families.

Essential Functions:
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function.

1. Perform respiratory procedures accurately and in a timely manner as prescribed by a physician. Receives verbal orders from physicians by way of telephone or personal meeting and transcribes such orders on patient’s chart prior to initiating therapy. These procedures include:
   1. Oxygen therapy: tank, nasal cannula, high flow nasal cannula, venturi mask, non-rebreather, etc.
   2. Coughing and deep breathing instruction and exercises and related maneuvers.
   3. Aerosol Therapy: bland and medicated, metered dose, ambient, ultrasonic, sputum induction.
   4. Pulmonary Function Testing.
   5. HFNC, CPAP and BiPAP therapy.
   6. Airway maintenance, oral nasal, and tracheal suctioning.
   7. Arterial puncture and blood gas analysis via i-STAT, after proper training.
   8. Non-invasive monitoring.
   9. Endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation.
   10. Continuous mechanical ventilation of acute and critically ill patients in ER and Medical Surgical settings.
   11. EKG’s
   12. Trach care
2. Performs assessment of the patient, determining needs related to the frequency and duration of the treatment regime ordered by the physician. Requests orders when necessary and communicates with nurse and physician about discrepancies and concerns.
3. Initiates and follows through with respiratory protocols as necessary
4. Observes the patient’s response to therapy, evaluates, and records in the patients’ electronic medical record. Immediately reports adverse reactions following established procedures.
5. Charts and charges treatments and procedures accurately in the forms provided. Enters appropriate information into the hospital electronic medical record accurately and timely.
6. Makes oxygen rounds as necessary and appropriate, causing the safe and effective use of supplies and equipment.
7. Ensures necessary equipment is available, maintained, and cleaned, in operable condition and ready for use. Ensures all cleaning procedures are performed according to established protocol. Enforces all infection control procedures according to policy.
8. Provides instruction to patients, family, staff, and students about therapy and equipment used in respiratory care procedures and protocols; and documents as required.
9. Provides complete report to on-coming personnel and takes a complete report from off going personnel.
10. Assists in the orientation of new nursing and respiratory personnel.
11. Supports multidisciplinary quality assessment and improvement activities by participating in improving important aspects of care.
12. Become proficient in and provide quality control and regular maintenance of the i-STAT blood gas machine as necessary and assigned.
13. Maintains appropriate education by obtaining 30 hours of continuing education for recertification bi-annually. Obtains required CPR, ACLS, and PALS and maintains all life support certifications on an ongoing basis. Employee keeps up with current rules, regulations, policies, and state statues that affect his/her discipline.
14. Must be able to perform critical care thinking and patient assessment. Must be able to work independently and as a team. Must possess knowledge of cardiopulmonary procedures and their indications.

Competencies:

Financial Management

Ethical Conduct

Leadership

Technical Capacity

Customer/Patient Focus

Teamwork Orientation

Supervisory Responsibility:
This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Work Environment:
This position operates in a health care setting. This role requires regular walking to various locations around the hospital. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles and some mechanical equipment. The employee is occasionally exposed to a variety of patient conditions and elements. The noise
level is moderate to quiet.

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear.
This position is very active and requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing all day. The employee must frequently lift or move objects and patients weighing over 50 pounds. 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:
This is a full time position in a health care facility open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Rotating shifts as well as holidays and weekends are required. Working during inclement weather will be required. Shifts may vary, but working hours may be up to approximately 12 hours. This position may also require personnel to be “on call”. Return time to the facility is 30
minutes. This position requires the ability to take call at least two weeks in the month.

Travel:
No travel is expected for this position.

Preferred Education and Experience:
1. Experience working as a certified respiratory therapist in a hospital setting.
2. Bachelor’s degree preferred.
3. Current, valid AHA Healthcare Provider training (NRP)

At Will Statement:
Monroe County Hospital is considered at will. “At will” means that you may terminate employment at any time, with or without cause or advance notice. “At will” also means that Monroe County Hospital may terminate employment at any time, with or without cause or advance notice, as long as federal and state laws are not violated.

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 of the job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.