Respiratory Therapist Registered
Position Summary: Provides respiratory care services to patients who require emergency care, intensive care, therapeutic treatment, invasive and non-invasive monitoring, diagnostic testing and patient education for pulmonary and cardiopulmonary disorders. Monitors and maintains equipment and participates in quality assurance and improvement activities.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
- Interviews, examines and assesses patients with breathing or cardiopulmonary disorders.
- Consults with physicians to develop patient treatment plans. Creates therapy programs for patients based on the instructions of physicians and assessment findings.
- Performs diagnostic tests such as measuring lung capacity, takes blood samples and uses a blood gas analyzer to test oxygen and carbon dioxide levels.
- Treats patients using a variety of methods, including chest physiotherapy, aerosol medications and non-invasive methods such as CPAP and BIPAP therapies. May connect, monitor, and treat patients who cannot breathe on their own to ventilators.
- Monitors and records the progress of treatment.
- Instructs and monitors respiratory therapy interns during clinical rotations throughout hospital.
Qualifications
Required:
- Associate degree in a Respiratory Therapist Educational Program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
- Current state licensure as a respiratory therapist.
- Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) through the NBRC.
- BLS certification.
- Bachelor’s degree.
