Respiratory Therapist, Pulmonary Function Lab, Per Diem

I. Major Responsibilities:

1.  Works as part of a team to ensure optimal patient care.
2.  Reviews patients electronic medical record for appropriate history, reason for admission, pertinent laboratory/radiological data, current orders.
3.  Administers aerosolized medications.
4.  Draws and analyzes Arterial Blood Gases.  Reports Critical Values per hospital policy.
5.  Consults with physician staff concerning the most efficacious forms of therapy and makes recommendations to enhance patient care (such as type, method, duration of therapy, suggested medications/dosages) compatible with physician orders and communicates these effectively with appropriate members of the healthcare team.
6.  Monitors patient’s physiological responses to therapy (such as vital signs, arterial blood gases), and consults with physician if adverse reactions occur.
7.  Provides emergency care including assisting with intubation, Rapid Response Team, High Risk Delivery and Code Team.
8.  Inspects, tests, cleans, and maintains respiratory therapy equipment as per department policy.
9.  Demonstrates and instructs respiratory care procedures to new staff, other healthcare personnel, patients, and patient’s families.
10. Provides clinical and general guidance to new, agency, per-diem, and student therapy personnel.
11. Provides direct supervision for respiratory therapy students.
12. Sets up and operates devices such as basic oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilators, CPAP/Bi-level support, NIPPV, high flow oxygen therapy in accordance with department policy and procedures.
13. Maintains all necessary patient and department records on the electronic medical record and medical administration record.  Follows hospital policy/procedure regarding patient medication administration.
14. Participates in departmental quality assurance programs.
15. Maintains up-to-date knowledge of current techniques, developments, and issues in respiratory care through attendance at educational meetings, lectures, and conferences.
16. Provides verbal reports including diagnosis, significant past medical history, reason(s) for admission, treatment goals and plans, patient’s response to treatment, and suggestions to optimize patient’s treatment plan.
17. Sets up and operates devices such as a body plethysmograph in accordance with department policy and procedures.

Standard Staffing Level Responsibilities:

1. Complies with established departmental policies, procedures, and objectives.
2. Attends variety of meetings, conferences, seminars as required or directed.
3. Demonstrates use of Quality Improvement in daily operations.
4. Complies with all health and safety regulations and requirements.
5. Respects diverse views and approaches, demonstrates Standards of Respect, and contributes to creating and maintaining an environment of professionalism, tolerance, civility and acceptance toward all employees, patients and visitors.
6. Maintains, regular, reliable, and predictable attendance.
7. Performs other similar and related duties as required or directed.

All responsibilities are essential job functions.

II. Position Qualifications:

License/Certification/Education:

Required:
1. Associate of Science in Respiratory Care.
2. Current Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential issued by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
3. Current Massachusetts State Respiratory Care License.
4. Current Basic Life Support Certification.
5. Current Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification (required within 3 months of employment).
6. Current Neonatal Resuscitation Provider certification (required within 3 months of employment).
7. Current Pediatric Advanced Life Support certification (required within 3 months of employment).
8. Valid and unrestricted driver’s license recognized by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and access to a reliable, insured vehicle.

Preferred:
1. Bachelor of Science or higher.
2. Specialty credential issued by the NBRC (ACCS, SDS, NPS, or RPFT). 
3. Current AE-C (Certified Asthma Educator) Certification.

Experience/Skills:

Required:
1. Ability to assess patients and make appropriate therapeutic recommendations along the continuum of care from admission to discharge including all aspects of respiratory care from floor therapies to mechanical ventilation and blood gas interpretation.
2. Ability to read, write and speak clearly in English.

Preferred:
1. Minimum two (2) years of acute care experience.

Unless certification, licensure or registration is required, an equivalent combination of education and experience which provides proficiency in the areas of responsibility listed in this description may be substituted for the above requirements.

Department-specific competencies and their measurements will be developed and maintained in the individual departments. The competencies will be maintained and attached to the departmental job description. Responsible managers will review competencies with position incumbents.