Respiratory Therapist, PRN

General summary of duties

The registered respiratory therapist provides bedside respiratory care to patients as assigned by supervisors and given on the physician’s written order for both in-house and out-patient care.

Requirements

• Current BLS, ACLS and PALS certifications required.
• Registered Respiratory Therapist by the National Board of Respiratory Care required.
• Bachelor’s or associate’s degree from an accredited college in a chemical, physical, biological or clinical laboratory science; or high school diploma or equivalent to perform moderate complexity blood gas analysis.
• Minimum two years in an acute care setting.

Essential functions

• Responsible for the safe and effective administration of medically prescribed medications, knowing their indications and contraindications
• Knows and follows the indications and contraindications, the policy and procedures in administering therapeutic modalities to include: IPPS, IS, USN, HHN
• Sets up and monitors oxygen administration
• Sets up oxygen cylinders and assures proper usage and safety measures are in place
• Performs bedside PFT tests. Maybe requested to perform test in PFT lab following adequate training and/or orientation
• Performs arterial punctures using radial, brachial, and femoral sites independently. Draws off arterial lines to obtain sample for blood gas analysis
• Sets up requested hemodynamic lines, calibrates monitors, and troubleshoots any problems that may occur
• Performs all aspects of artificial airway care. Able to perform deep blind tracheal suctioning on patients
• Daily and weekly preventative maintenance and calibration, quality assurance of ABG analyzers
• Familiar with oxygen delivery systems (i.e., nasal, venturi mask)
• Familiar with measuring devices to include, but not limited to, pulse oximeter, respirometer, oxygen blenders
• Responsible for the set-up, safety check, monitoring, and troubleshooting of mechanical ventilators
• Maintains accurate and legible records, documenting clinical notes in patient’s charts