Respiratory Therapist

Hrs Description: ; Duties: Job Summary: The Respiratory Therapist RRT provides advanced-level respiratory care to patients designed to diagnose, evaluate, treat, manage, and control deficiencies or abnormalities of the cardiopulmonary system within the prescription of the ordering physician. This position acts as a resource to the CRT staff. The RRT may be responsible for special clinical projects or assignments as designated by leadership according to the needs of the department.

Job Responsibilities: -Performs, interprets, and evaluates diagnostic testing procedures according to protocol. Obtains arterial gases. Oversees and troubleshoots the operation of equipment for optimal patient care. -Initiates Respiratory Protocol according to department criteria. Initiates interventions based on the interpretation of assessments. -Administers medications in a timely and safe manner. Evaluates effect and re-evaluates appropriately and according to protocol. Ensures that the progress of patient is communicated to staff, physicians and other departments. -Maintains awareness of assigned patients overall condition. Communicates and shares patient information with the physicians and nurses. Makes appropriate recommendations for patient care. -Recognizes the educational needs of patients and families in relation to health promotion and wellness. Teaches patients and families self-care techniques and modalities. -Completes documentation according to departmental standards. Accurately documents productivity information. Monitors supplies and equipment and notifies the appropriate person when supplies are low, out on loan or broken. Utilizes time effectively to achieve productivity standard, including utilizing low census time when patient load does not support full productivity. -Participates in quality and patient safety initiatives. Identifies potential areas for improvement including processes that could be streamlined or revised to improve patient satisfaction. Identifies potential safety hazards that may create problems for patients and/or staff and takes appropriate actions. Participates in departmental meetings, contributing ideas or feedback. -Promotes mission, vision, and values and abides by service behavior standards. -May be required to float to other departments (within scope of competency and qualifications) based on business need. -May be required to be placed on-call during a regularly scheduled shift. null

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