Respiratory Therapist

Bryan Health; Kearney (NE); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Bryan Health in Kearney, NE seeks a Respiratory Therapist to provide cardiopulmonary care under physician orders and department policies. You will manage oxygen delivery, administer therapies, and monitor ventilators across all ages, including neonate to geriatric, with focus on safety and accuracy.

The role involves arterial sampling, document on the medical record, and adherence to sterilization and hospital protocols. Ongoing education and team collaboration are expected.

Qualifications

• Current State Respiratory Therapist Licensure.
• Graduate of an AMA-approved School of Respiratory Therapy.
• Current ACLS, BLS, PALS, and NRP certification.
• Current RRT certification within (3) months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Maintains knowledge of oxygen delivery methods for all ages and equipment.
• Delivers respiratory therapy treatments and monitors effects and side effects.
• Sets up and monitors mechanical ventilators and airway management tasks.
• Assesses patient pain affecting rehabilitation and notifies physician for intervention.
• Performs arterial and capillary punctures for blood gas analysis and understands risks.
• Follows departmental equipment sterilization procedures.
• Documents data in patient medical records after service.
• Maintains knowledge of forms, flow charts, logbooks and usage.
• Adapts techniques across age groups (neonate to geriatric) and medication dosing.
• Follows five medication rights and minimizes medication errors.
• Ensures patient safety and reduces health care errors in care delivery.
• Operates and maintains respiratory equipment safely; tests devices for proper function.
• Understands hazards of oxygen therapy.
• Performs airway management including tracheostomy care and aspirates.
• Performs CPR and airway management.
• Initiates hemodynamic monitoring (arterial lines) and maintenance.
• Performs endotracheal intubation and tube changes for all age groups.
• Attends education in-service programs for competency and hospital training.
• Performs other duties as assigned by department manager.

Job description

Under the supervision of the Cardiopulmonary Services Medical Director and Department Manager, the Respiratory Therapist is responsible for providing cardiopulmonary care services in accordance with specific physician’s orders, department policies and procedures.

• Maintains knowledge of the various methods of oxygen delivery to all age groups, including the necessary equipment. Remains alert to and assesses possible side effects to oxygen delivery.
• Administers respiratory therapy treatments to all age populations, understands the purpose of each and the possible side effects associated with each.
• Sets-up and monitors mechanical ventilators and the associated critical care duties required for such treatment, such as airway management and tracheal suctioning.
• Able to assess patient pain interfering with optimal level of function or participation in rehabilitation. Makes appropriate physician contact for intervention.
• Performs arterial and capillary punctures to obtain blood samples for blood gas analysis, and understands the possible complications and contraindications associated with the procedure.
• Follows departmental equipment sterilization procedures.
• Documents all pertinent data on the patient’s medical record following completion of any service.
• Maintains a thorough knowledge of all departmental forms, flow charts, logbooks and their proper usage.
• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of the differences in techniques and treatment modalities as performed on patients of varying ages, including neonate, pediatric, adolescent and geriatric patients, as well as the general patient population.
• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of oxygen concentrations and medication doses as they relate to patients of varying ages, including neonate, pediatric, adolescent and geriatric patients.
• Follows the five (5) medication rights and reduces the potential for medication errors.
• Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.
• Manages and operates equipment safely and correctly. Inspects and tests respiratory therapy equipment to ensure that it is functioning safely and efficiently.
• Maintains thorough knowledge of hazards of oxygen therapy.
• Performs airway management to include tracheostomy care/inner cannula changes and preforms protective tip tracheal aspirates.
• Performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and airway management.
• Initiates hemodynamic monitoring to include insertion of arterial line catheters and associated ongoing maintenance of lines and sites.
• Performs endotracheal intubation, and endotracheal/trach tube changes on all age groups cared for at Kearney Regional Medical Center.
• Attends education in-service programs to maintain professional competency. Obtains appropriate hospital-specific education and training.
• Performs all additional duties as assigned by the department manager.

Regulatory Requirements

• Current State Respiratory Therapist Licensure.
• Graduate of an AMA-approved School of Respiratory Therapy.
• Current ACLS, BLS, PALS, and NRP certification.
• Current RRT certification within (3) months of hire.