Respiratory Therapist

Healthier Mississippi People; Jackson (MS); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Healthier Mississippi People is seeking a Respiratory Care Practitioner to evaluate and administer therapeutic and diagnostic respiratory care for patients with cardiopulmonary disorders. You will consult with physicians to tailor patient care plans and operate critical respiratory equipment to support breathing and life-sustaining therapies.

The role requires certification as an RCP in Mississippi, NBRC-CRT, and BLS.

Qualifications

• Must hold Respiratory Care Practitioner license in Mississippi.
• CRT certification required by NBRC.
• BLS certification from American Heart Association.
• Knowledge of CPR, patient assessment, and safety practices.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate patients via interviews and exams and consult with physicians on care plans.
• Operate and monitor respiratory equipment including ventilators and gas delivery systems.
• Administer gases, humidification, aerosols, and respiratory meds; manage airways and blood gas data.
• Monitor patient responses to therapy and vital signs.
• Educate patients and families on ventilator use and life-support systems.

Skills

Verbal and written communication

Interpersonal skills

Patient care

Safety compliance

Education

Respiratory Care Practitioner license (Mississippi)

CRT (National Board for Respiratory Care)

BLS (American Heart Association)

Tools

Ventilators

Medical gas delivery systems

Respiratory medications administration

Blood gas analysis equipment

Job description

Job Summary

To evaluate and administer therapeutic and diagnostic respiratory care and life support to patients with breathing or other cardiopulmonary disorders. To consult with physicians concerning the development and modification of patient care plans.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of therapeutic and diagnostic procedures and tests, equipment, patient assessment, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Knowledge of human anatomy, physiology, physics, and mathematics. Knowledge of respiratory health promotion and disease prevention. Verbal and written communication skills. Interpersonal skills to interact with patients and team members. Ability to alleviate patient anxiety. Ability to maintain equipment and supplies. Ability to ensure compliance with workplace safety, environmental, and/or infection control practices.

Responsibilities

• Evaluates patients through interviews, limited physical examinations, and conducting diagnostic tests; consults with physician to address patient care respiratory therapy needs.
• Operates and monitors respiratory equipment such as continuous and intermittent ventilators, medical gas delivery apparatus, incentive breathing/hyperinflation devices, environmental control systems and aerosol devices.
• Administers medical gases, humidification, aerosols, and respiratory medications; maintains clearance of patient's natural and artificial airways; obtains blood samples and interprets blood gas data; and provides emergency cardiopulmonary assistance.
• Monitors patient's physiological responses to therapy such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, and blood chemistry changes.
• Educates patient and family members on the use of ventilators and other life-support systems, breathing exercises, and use of medications.
• Inspects, sanitizes, tests, and maintains respiratory equipment. Maintains applicable records and documentation. Ensures compliance with workplace safety, environmental, and/or infection control practices.
• The duties listed are general in nature and are examples of the duties and responsibilities performed and are not meant to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Management retains the right to add or change duties at any time.

Physical and Environmental Demands

Requires occasional exposure to unpleasant or disagreeable physical environment such as high noise level and exposure to heat and cold, frequent handling or working with potentially dangerous equipment, constant exposure to biohazardous conditions such as risk of radiation exposure, blood borne pathogens, fumes or airborne particles, and/or toxic or caustic chemicals which mandate attention to safety considerations, occasional working hours significantly beyond regularly scheduled hours, occasional activities subject to significant volume changes of a seasonal/clinical nature, constant work produced subject to precise measures of quantity and quality, constant bending, frequent lifting and carrying more than 100 pounds, occasional climbing, occasional crawling, frequent crouching/stooping, occasional driving, frequent kneeling, frequent pushing/pulling, frequent reaching, occasional sitting, constant standing, frequent twisting, and constant walking. (occasional-up to 20%, frequent-from 21% to 50%, constant-51% or more)

Requirements

Certifications, Licenses, or Registration required: Respiratory Care Practitioner from Mississippi Department of Health. Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) from the National Board for Respiratory Care. Basic Life Support (BLS) from American Heart Association.

Preferred Qualifications

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) from the American Heart Association. Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) from the National Board for Respiratory Care