JOB SUMMARY
Administers respiratory therapy care to patients with deficiencies and abnormalities of the cardio-pulmonary system, as prescribed under the supervision of a Physician.
DUTIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Carries out routine therapy as ordered by the Physician including, but not limited to, oxygen administration, aerosol therapy, incentive spirometry, sputum induction, mixed gases, invasive ventilation, non-invasive ventilation, and airway management.
- Reads prescription, measures arterial blood gases, and reviews patient information to assess patient condition and determine requirements for treatment such as type and duration of therapy, and medication and dosages.
- Provides information and education to patient and family regarding therapy being performed.
- Determines the most suitable method of administering inhalants, precautions to be observed, and modifications which may be needed that will be compatible with the physician's orders.
- Monitors patient's physiological responses to therapy such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, and blood chemistry changes and notifies physician of any adverse reactions.
- Documents assessments and respiratory care provided in EPIC.
- Assists in emergency care.
EDUCATION/LICENSE/CERTIFICATION/OTHER REQUIREMENTS
- Minimum requirement:
- One year certificate from an accredited college or technical school.
- Holds and maintains a Kentucky Respiratory Care Practitioner license and/or other states as necessary.
- Holds and maintains Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) certification through the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
- Achieves and maintains American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
- Preferred qualifications:
- Associates Degree or higher in Respiratory Care.
- 1 year experience in an acute care setting.
- Achieves and maintains American Heart Association Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT
- Constantly works near moving mechanical parts.
- Constantly exposed to blood and/or body fluids and infection.
- Occasionally exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals.
- Occasionally exposed to risk of radiation.
- The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- Occasionally required to maintain in a stationary position (standing or sitting).
- Frequently required to walk and move about.
- Frequently required to operate a computer and other equipment.
- Frequently required to use fine motor skills to handle and operate instruments/devices.
- Constantly required to lift and/or move items up to 10 pounds.
- Frequently required to lift and/or move items up to 50 pounds.
- Occasionally required to lift and/or move items up to 100 pounds.
- Constantly required to communicate with patients and other care team requiring talking and hearing.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception.
- Occasionally required to position self in order to meet patient needs.