Job Summary:

Restores patient's pulmonary function; alleviates pain; supports life by planning and administering medically prescribed respiratory therapy.

Job Duties:

* Meets patient's goals and needs and provides quality care by conducting pulmonary function tests; assessing and interpreting evaluations and test results; determining respiratory therapy treatment plans in consultation with physicians and by prescription.

* Helps patient accomplish treatment plan and supports life by administering inhalants; operating mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, and aerosol generators.

* Administers respiratory therapy treatments by performing bronchopulmonary drainage; assisting with breathing exercises; monitoring physiological responses to therapy, such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, and blood chemistry changes; directing treatments given by aides, technicians and assistants.

* Evaluates effects of respiratory therapy treatment plan by observing, noting, and evaluating patient's progress; recommending adjustments and modifications.

* Completes discharge planning by consulting with physicians, nurses, social workers, and other health care workers; contributing to patient care conferences.

* Assures continuation of therapeutic plan following discharge by designing home exercise programs; instructing patients, families, and caregivers in home exercise programs; recommending and/or providing assistive equipment; recommending outpatient or home health follow-up programs.

* Documents patient care services by charting in patient and department records.

* Maintains patient confidence and protects hospital operations by keeping information confidential.

* Maintains safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations.

* Protects patients and employees by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols.

* Ensures operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; following manufacturer's instructions; troubleshooting malfunctions; calling for repairs.

* Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies.

* Deyelops respiratory therapy staff by providing information; developing and conducting in-service training programs.

* Complies with federal, state. and local legal and certification requirements by studying existing and new legislation; anticipating future legislation; enforcing adherence to requirements; advising management on needed actions.

* Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.

Skills and Qualifications:

* Bedside Manner

* Physiological Knowledge

* Infection Control

* Health Promotion and Maintenance

* Creating a Safe

* Effective Environment

* Informing Others

* Verbal Communication

* Medical Teamwork

* Judgment

* Procedural Skills

* People Skills