Respiratory Therapist
DESCRIPTION OF POSITION:
- Under the direction of a Pulmonologist, The Respiratory Therapist performs all aspects of diagnostic pulmonary testing, including patient preparation and education, procedure analysis, equipment maintenance, and trouble-shooting.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:
- Organizes patient care and general activities to accomplish required functions with delegation of these activities to other staff as appropriate.
- Collaborates with interdisciplinary team in planning and organizing patient care from admit to discharge.
- Effectively identifies and solves problems in reference to equipment, patient care or respiratory safety.
- Documents accurately according to department policy.
- Possesses competency in use of technology and computers.
- Performs Assessments
- Plans Patient Care
- Educates Patient/Family
- Provides Age Specific Care for Patients Served
- Employ scientific principles to identify, treat and prevent acute or chronic dysfunction of the cardiopulmonary system.
- Makes suggestions/recommendations for improved operations.
- Is knowledgeable of and actively participates in implementation of Department PI plan.
- Has knowledge of and utilizes department specific equipment appropriately.
- Understands and appropriately responds to the unique combination of cultural variables that professionals and patients/individuals bring to interactions.
- Evaluates ethical challenges and their potential impact on the patient’s quality of care.
The above statements are only meant to be a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those stated in this description.
EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & CERTIFICATIONS
- Graduate of an AMA approved Respiratory Therapy Program. Associate of Science or Bachelor of Science accepted.
- Licensed Respiratory Therapist (CRT or RRT)
- Ability to communicate with patient, family, peers and medical personnel.
- Current licensure to practice in Louisiana
- Current BLS, ACLS, PALS, and NRP. Will need to obtain ASAP if not current.
- Must maintain required hours of in-service per year to meet requirements for CEU’s as stipulated by the NBRC.
- In good standing with NBRC.
Physical Demands/Work Environment
- Requires prolonged periods of sitting or standing with a light amount of lifting/ pulling of patients weighing up to 50 pounds.
- Almost 100% of time spent inside the building.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.