Respiratory Therapist, Registered - The Brookdale Hospital Medical Center

To assist in the treatment management of patients with cardiopulmonary diseases. Assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care modalities, including initiate and conduct therapeutic procedures, maintain patient’s records; select and assemble, check equipment for safety and operate all respiratory care equipment.

• Reports to work on time.
• Phones in assignment, lunch hour and beeper number to switchboard operators at the beginning of the shift.
• Reports with Capnographer to all cardiopulmonary emergencies and provides respiratory care as needed.
• Verifies physician’s order, assesses patient and administers treatment to patients including ventilator care management, nebulizer treatment, peak flow, sputum induction, oxygen and aerosol therapy incentive spirometry, bedside spirometry and ABG sampling.
• Maintains artificial airways and performs endotracheal and nasotracheal suctioning. Retape and adjust ET-Tube, perform Emergency intubation after proven proficiency.
• Initiates mechanical ventilations, monitors and makes required changes in modes, FI02, rate, tidal volume as prescribed by physician.
• Check and document all alarm settings for proper audible function in relation to the ambient and computing noise and document the same.
• Assists with transporting all intubated patients.
• Consults with physician on exact changes in respiratory therapy as appropriate.
• Attends pulmonary rounds with physician in ICU
• Keeps up at all time with proper documentation including record of information pertaining to treatment on patient’s medical record. Completes required documentation for service rendered including departmental records
• Always writes legibly, and uses approved abbreviations.
• Educates patients and their families about their conditions and teach about breathing exercises and the use of medications and respiratory equipment.
• Administers and monitors medical gases and humidifier systems.
• Checks Nitrous Oxide Bank and changes cylinders when empty.
• Gives bedside hand off report to incoming shift to ensure continuum of care.
• Follows all infection control protocol. Follow proper hand washing technique.
• Changes ventilator circuit PRN and changes Heat Moisture Exchanger (HME) every day and PRN.
• Cleans and troubleshoots RT equipment.
• Collects and returns discontinued equipment to Respiratory Therapy Department.
• Stock supplies in assigned area.
• Notifies supervisor/director when stock is getting low.
• Upon discontinuing respirators, strip, clean, set up, and run pre use check.
• Inspects clean, test and maintain Respiratory Care equipment to ensure equipment is functioning safely and efficiently, ordering repairs when necessary.
• Makes routines checks in assigned areas to ensure that the physician’s orders are observed and equipment is functioning.
• Assists the Department in Hospital-wide performance Improvement Activities.
• Assists Director in training and orientation of new personnel.
• Assists in the education of physicians and nurses as needed, on different types of ventilators, and in the orientation of new interns and residents.
• Helps or answers any question pertaining to the clinical aspects on the job when necessary.
• Performs other tasks as required or assigned by the Director.

Education:

• Minimum: Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree in Respiratory Care as a Respiratory Therapist from an approved A.M.A. school.
• Registered Respiratory Therapist with Bachelor of Science Degree, and current New York State Registration.

Certifications:

• Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), and Certificate of Fitness (COF) must be current.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Excellent creative skills.
• Proposes ways to improve existing program services, processes, and ideas that have impact on the job and the department.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office to include Excel, and Word.
• Good interpersonal skills a must.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.

Physical Requirements:

• Involves standing, walking, sitting, lifting and talking.
• May include some repetitive motions.

• Perform other duties as required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees, and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of Interfaith Medical Center (IMC).

IMC is an equal opportunity employer, it is our policy to provide equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, military status, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability or handicap or other characteristics protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

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