The Respiratory Therapist performs various technical duties to administer respiratory therapy treatments to assigned patients.
This position is part of the 1199SEIU Bargaining Unit at Cooley Dickinson Hospital and reports to the Clinical Manager, Respiratory Care. The role operates within established organizational and departmental policies and procedures.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Associate degree or equivalent required
- Respiratory Therapist license in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts required
- Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification from the American Heart Association required
- NRP from the American Academy of Pediatrics required within 3 months of hire or transfer
- Six months to one year of relevant experience required
Essential Job Functions:
- Set up, apply, and administer therapy using a complete range of respiratory equipment, controlling factors such as respiratory ratio, pressure, volume, oxygen and gas percentages, and administering aerosol medications. Continuously monitor patient condition.
- Perform pulmonary consultations, recommend therapy modes, frequency, medications, and evaluate effectiveness through auscultation, lab tests, and clinical observation, reporting significant changes to physicians and supervisors.
- Perform basic bedside pulmonary testing and advanced pulmonary function testing using complex equipment to measure volumes, flows, diffusion rates, and oxygen requirements.
- Conduct blood gas analysis techniques, oversee training of new personnel in the Blood Gas Laboratory, and perform basic sleep studies.
- Maintain records, charts, and prepare charges; assist in quality control programs within the department.
- Provide guidance and instruction to assigned personnel; participate in teaching and training hospital staff and new personnel.
- Educate patients on disease management, breathing techniques, medications, and home respiratory therapy equipment as requested by physicians or nursing staff.
- Provide emergency assistance, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
- Maintain, calibrate, and repair diagnostic and therapeutic equipment, such as blood gas analyzers and pulmonary function devices.
- Follow all organizational policies, confidentiality, safety, infection control, and environmental standards.
- Engage in professional development activities to stay current in the field and fulfill CE requirements.
- Meet annual competency and retraining standards.
- Attend required meetings and perform additional duties as assigned.
Cooley Dickinson Hospital is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and employment process.