Department
Respiratory Therapy
Job Summary
Under the supervision of a physician and the Director of Nursing, administers prescribed cardiopulmonary procedures, performs a variety of technical procedures and assists in the cleaning, maintenance and disinfection of cardiopulmonary equipment. OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Class I.
Job Qualifications
- Education: Associate degree or higher from an accredited program and approved from the Texas Medical Board.
- Personal job-related skills: Knowledge of cardiopulmonary equipment. Effective oral and written communication skills.
- Licensure, registry or certification: Certified as a CRTT or RRt and a Texas license required
- Prior Work Experience: One year experience as a Certified Respiratory Therapy Technician preferred.
- Technical Training: Current CPR training.
- Physical and Mental Requirements: Duties of the position require extended periods of standing and walking. Bending, stooping, twisting, reaching and lifting up to 50 pounds. Occasional heavy lifting when moving or supporting patients who may suddenly become weak or helpless.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Under direction of a physician, performs respiratory therapy treatments and procedures on patients.
- Performs pulmonary function testing.
- Administers gas and aerosol therapy and IPPB therapy.
- Performs arterial punctures and analysis of blood
- Maintains patient’s airways and removes secretions through various methods.
- Places patients on ventilators and monitors them continuously.
- Performs ECGs and interpretation of results for physicians.
- Provides care appropriate for the neonate and the pediatric, adolescent and geriatric patients served based on demonstrated knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span.
- Assesses and interprets data on neonate and the pediatric, adolescent and geriatric patients’ status to identify patients’ requirements relative to their age-specific needs and provides care needed as stipulated in departmental policy.
- Assists in the cleaning, maintenance and sterilization of respiratory therapy equipment.
- Performs minor and preventative maintenance on equipment and reports problems to the Director.
- Sterilizes equipment using different types of sterilization procedures.
- Arranges for equipment required and returns it to equipment area after use and sterilization.
- Maintains files and prepares documents and reports as required.
- Enters respiratory therapy procedures in the patient’s medical record.
- Prepares records and patient charges as directed.
- Assists with the maintenance of statistics and other information for department reporting requirements.
Other Significant Requirements
- Maintains confidentiality while working with confidential matters on a daily basis.
- Provides service direct to patients while maintaining a positive patient relations atmosphere.
- Interacts with patients, family members and Medical Staff members on a continuous basis.
- Follows aseptic procedures and precautions when involved in direct patient contact or handing potentially infectious materials.
- Follows safety guidelines and policies for the Healthcare System.
