Respiratory Therapy Assistant

Lehigh Valley Health Network; Allentown (Lehigh County); On-site; USD 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Lehigh Valley Health Network is seeking a dedicated support professional for respiratory therapy. In this role, you would provide crucial assistance to respiratory therapists, ensuring that equipment is ready for patient use and facilitating safe patient care.

The ideal candidate will have a High School Diploma or GED and be organized and communicative. This position demands physical stamina, including lifting and moving patients as necessary.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Organizational skills needed to plan, schedule and complete tasks.

Responsibilities

• Assists the respiratory therapist with caring for patients.
• Prepares ventilators and respiratory equipment for patient use.
• Cleans and restocks respiratory equipment.
• Monitors ventilator settings and communicates with the therapist.
• Assists with patient repositioning and proning.

Skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Accredited respiratory therapy program completed 1 semester

Job description

Join a team that delivers excellence. Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) is home to nearly 23,000 colleagues who make up our talented, vibrant and diverse workforce.

Join our team and experience firsthand what it's like to be part of a health care organization that's nationally recognized, forward‑thinking and offers plenty of opportunity to do great work.

Imagine a career at one of the nation's most advanced health networks.

Be part of an exceptional health care experience. Join the inspired, passionate team at Lehigh Valley Health Network, a nationally recognized, forward‑thinking organization offering plenty of opportunity to do great work.

LVHN has been ranked among the "Best Hospitals" by U.S. News & World Report for 23 consecutive years. We're a Magnet Hospital, having been honored five times with the American Nurses Credentialing Center's prestigious distinction for nursing excellence and quality patient outcomes in our Lehigh Valley region. Finally, Lehigh Valley Hospital - Cedar Crest, Lehigh Valley Hospital - Muhlenberg, Lehigh Valley Hospital- Hazleton, and Lehigh Valley Hospital - Pocono each received an "A" grade on the Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group in 2020, the highest grade in patient safety. These recognitions highlight LVHN's commitment to teamwork, compassion, and technology with an unrelenting focus on delivering the best health care possible every day.

Whether you're considering your next career move or your first, you should consider Lehigh Valley Health Network.

Summary

Provides bedside support to the respiratory therapist by ensuring equipment is clean, available, properly assembled and in working and operable condition. Participates in supportive patient care tasks needed for the safe, timely and effective care of patients.

Job Duties

• Assists the respiratory therapist with all aspects of routine and/or emergent care
• Assembles, calibrates and prepares ventilators and other respiratory equipment for patient use
• Removes unused equipment from patient rooms and ensures equipment is cleaned and equipped for reuse
• Restocks supplies and distributes needed equipment to meet unit par levels
• Assembles and replaces patients' oxygen delivery devices
• Assembles aerosol delivery devices and equipment necessary for patient use
• Monitors and communicates ventilator settings, patient measurements and pertinent patient information to the respiratory therapist
• Assists the RT with replacing endotracheal tube securement devices
• Performs nasal swabbing
• Ensures patients have appropriately sized masks and assists the respiratory therapist with mask rotation to prevent device‑related pressure injuries
• Assists the healthcare team with repositioning and proning of patients
• Changes filters on NIPPV daily

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma/GED. Students enrolled in an accredited respiratory therapy program who have successfully completed 1 semester of core respiratory therapy curriculum
• Ability to communicate effectively
• Organizational skills needed to plan, schedule and complete tasks

Physical Demands

Lift and carry 40‑50 lbs. Examples: Push/pull patients on bed, stretcher (requires 29 lbs. push force), lateral transfers up to 50 lbs. of the patient's weight. Frequent to continuous standing/walking. Patient transporters can walk 8‑10 miles per shift. Patient care providers may be required to perform activities specific to their role including kneeling, bending, squatting and performing CPR.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Lehigh Valley Health Network is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with, and where applicable, in addition to federal, state and local employment regulations, Lehigh Valley Health Network will provide employment opportunities to all persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or other such protected classes as may be defined by law. All personnel actions and programs will adhere to this policy. Personnel actions and programs include, but are not limited to recruitment, selection, hiring, transfers, promotions, terminations, compensation, benefits, educational programs and/or social activities.

Req ID: wd-JR137406