IRP-Reg Respiratory Therapist (HS)

Duties and Responsibilities30% - Equipment-assesses the need for ventilators, Bi-PAP/CPAP, oxygen and aerosol equipment in accordance with department policies and protocols.-communicates equipment needs to co-workers other members of the health care team as appropriate.-sets up, operates, ventilators, Bi-PAP/CPAP, oxygen and aerosol equipment in accordance with current clinical standards and department policies in an efficient manner.-maintains all types of ventilators, Bi-PAP/CPAP, oxygen and aerosol equipment in compliance with manufacturer guidelines and department guidelines.-keeps up to date with the state of the art in respiratory therapy equipment.-demonstrates cost-effective use of equipment and supplies.-identifies opportunities for improvement in the use of equipment and supplies.30% - Procedures-assesses the need for all types of respiratory therapy procedures including hand-held nebulizer treatments, metered-dose inhaler treatments, incentive spirometry, airway clearance procedures, and continuous positive airway pressure treatments in accordance with department policies and protocols.-administers all types of respiratory therapy procedures in accordance with current clinical standards and department policies.-communicates the need for changes in therapy to co-workers and other members of the health care team as appropriate.- keeps up to date with the state of the art respiratory therapy procedures.-demonstrates compassion and sensitivity to patients, families, visitors and other staff while providing therapy .- systematically organizes and prioritizes work to maximize productivity .-identifies opportunities for improvement in patient care and departmental processes.5% - Diagnostics-performs bedside diagnostic procedures including pulmonary function testing, pulse oximetry, and capnometry in accordance with hospital and departmental policies.-communicates the results to appropriate members of the health care team.- recommends appropriate therapy or changes in therapy indicated by these tests, in accordance with hospital departmental policies and current clinical standards.-demonstrates compassion and sensitivity to patients, families, visitors and other staff while performing tests .10% - Whole blood analysis-obtains arterial blood and performs whole blood analysis, including blood gas analysis in compliance with departmental and credentialing agency standards.-recommend appropriate therapy or changes in therapy indicated by these tests.-communicates results and therapy recommendations to other health care team members as appropriate.-performs quality monitoring in accordance with departmental guidelines.10% - Education-assesses the need for and provides patient and family education with special attention to the unique needs and special situations of individual patients and family members-documents the results in compliance with departmental and hospital policies.-provides instruction and mentoring to staff and students as needed.5% - Charge-assumes responsibility for the over-all operations of the department as the charge therapist.-assures compliance with all hospital and departmental policies.-organizes workload of individual staff, and readjusts them as needed to insure quality patient care maximum productivity.5% - Perform cardio-pulmonary resuscitation.5% - Perform intubations (EAST ONLY)5% - Assess the need for, and assist in the arrangement of home oxygen and/or respiratory therapy equipment.