Respiratory Therapist - Sleep & Pulmonary Specialist

Rhode Island Hospital; United States; On-site; USD 47,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Brown University Health seeks a Respiratory Therapist to administer care per physician orders, perform blood gas analysis, and conduct sleep studies and pulmonary function tests. You will work under supervision and address geriatric, adult, and adolescent patients with a focus on compassionate, patient- and family-centered care.

The role requires an AMA-approved associate degree, Rhode Island license, strong interpersonal and analytical skills, and the ability to operate respiratory therapy

Qualifications

• Associates Degree in an AMA-approved respiratory therapy program.
• Must be licensed by the State of Rhode Island as a Respiratory Care Practitioner.
• Interpersonal skills to instruct and calm patients.
• Analytic skills to interpret blood gas reports, calculate results of pulmonary function tests and synthesize interrelated data from various medical disciplines.
• Leadership ability to establish priorities, assign work to practitioners when assigned charge responsibilities, and instruct students.
• Ability to operate all respiratory therapy and diagnostic testing equipment.
• All essential functions performed in this position reflect the age-specific needs of the patients.
• One year of experience as a respiratory therapist preferred.

Responsibilities

• Administers respiratory care in accordance with physician orders or protocol.
• Accepts and enters verbal and telephonic orders from physicians into patient charts.
• Sets up and operates devices, aerosol generators and bedside pulmonary function testing equipment.
• Monitors equipment to ensure specific parameters are maintained.
• Performs chest physiotherapy and bronchopulmonary drainage procedures.
• Assists patients with breathing exercises, utilizing incentive spirometry.
• Instructs patients and families in therapeutic modalities and equipment use.
• Monitors the physiologic response of patients to therapy and suggests therapy changes.
• Maintains patient charts, entering therapy, ventilator and monitoring information.
• Inspects and tests respiratory therapy-related equipment to ensure proper operating condition.
• Notifies Manager or Lead Therapist of need for equipment repairs.
• Performs arterial punctures to obtain blood samples for gas analysis.
• Analyzes and reports results.
• Calibrates, and performs preventive maintenance and quality control procedures on blood gas instrumentation.
• As assigned, performs all tests and duties in the Pulmonary Function Laboratory that relate to pulmonary function tests and sleep studies.
• Records results and forwards to physician for interpretation.
• Maintains logs of required information on tests performed and related records and reports.
• Consults with physicians regarding appropriateness of tests ordered and test results.
• Cleans, makes minor repairs, and maintains pulmonary function and sleep study equipment.
• Prepares and revises written procedures for sleep study and pulmonary function testing.
• Orders laboratory supplies.
• Participates in Code Blue emergencies, by providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation, airway management and ventilatory support.
• Assists in the evaluation of replacement respiratory and pulmonary function equipment.
• Assists in care and maintenance of equipment and supplies.
• Attends and participates in staff meetings and in-service education sessions.
• Maintains various records and reports, as required.
• Maintains quality assurance, safety, environmental and infection control standards in accordance with established hospital and departmental policies, procedures and objectives.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Analytical skills

Leadership

Equipment operation

Education

Associate degree in AMA-approved respiratory therapy program

Rhode Island license as Respiratory Care Practitioner

Tools

Blood gas analyzer

Pulmonary function testing equipment

Job description

Brown University Health seeks a Respiratory Therapist to administer care per physician orders, perform blood gas analysis, and conduct sleep studies and pulmonary function tests. You will work under supervision and address geriatric, adult, and adolescent patients with a focus on compassionate, patient- and family-centered care.

The role requires an AMA-approved associate degree, Rhode Island license, strong interpersonal and analytical skills, and the ability to operate respiratory therapy