Respiratory Therapy Tech EL or FP 249526(47252)

This position works in the respiratory therapy unit of a hospital and exercises considerable independent clinical judgment in applying scientific knowledge and theory to practical respiratory care problems in accordance with physicians’ orders. The position is responsible for independently administering respiratory tests and treatment to patients with respiratory diseases and disorders including cases involving critically ill, pediatric, and neonatal patients.

Job Duties:

• Life Support Systems: Initiate, monitor and maintain volume and pressure cycled respiration units for patients requiring continuous ventilation as a life support measure as determined by a physician. Such work includes emergency intubation; initial setting of ventilator controls; performing arterial punctures; evaluating laboratory results and making ventilator adjustments to maintain arterial blood gases within normal limits; and consulting with physicians to determine the mode of therapy to be used (e.g., Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation (IMV), Intermittent Demand Ventilation (IDV), Positive End Expiratory Pressure (PEEP), Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), and Bi Directional Positive Airway Pressure (BiBAP).
• Consult with physician regarding proper method and scheduling of weaning patients off respirators; provide continuous airway management and maintenance to include establishment (placement of an oral or nasal endotracheal tube), securing tube and maintaining proper pilot balloon pressures, suctioning of secretions when necessary, changing of tracheostomy tubes and endotracheal tubes on a regular basis and removing same when no longer needed.
• Participate in administering and initiating cardiopulmonary resuscitation as part of the resuscitation team which includes airway maintenance and/or establishment with an endotracheal tube, manual ventilation via mouth to mouth, ambu-bag and mask or bag to tube; perform arterial punctures for blood gas analysis; ventilate patients during transfer to Intensive Care Unit and initiate mechanical ventilation when indicated.
• Provide consultation and patient evaluations.
• Administer treatments.
• Pulmonary Function Testing
• Pulse Oximetry
• Patient Education
  

Prerequisite Qualifications Required for the Entry Level

Education and Essential Knowledge and Abilities: Graduation from high school and two (2) years progressively responsible, full-time clinical work experience in a respiratory therapy program or services under licensed medical supervision. The work must have involved such duties as administering treatment procedures in medical gas therapy, humidity therapy, post-operative techniques, pulmonary functions, blood gas analysis, critical care, cardiopulmonary pathophysiology and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, including various types of respiratory therapy equipment, monitoring patients during treatments, charting observations and procedures, cleaning and sterilizing respiratory therapy equipment and performing operational maintenance, and performing or participating in cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Substitutions allowed: Completion of a two (2) year community college or other accredited program in respiratory therapy resulting in an Associate of Science degree may be substituted for the Entry Level required experience.

Certification Required: Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Workers must be obtained within six (6) months of employment.

Physical Requirements: All employees must be physically able to perform the essential duties of the position

Prerequisite Qualifications Required for the Full Performance Level

In addition to the qualifications required at the entry level:

Experience and Essential Knowledge and Abilities: One (1) year of progressively responsible clinical work experience which demonstrated competence in independently administering treatment and/or testing procedures in pulmonary functions, blood gas analysis, critical care including mechanical ventilation, and pediatric/neonatal respiratory care.

Substitutions allowed: Completion of a four (4) year college or university accredited program in respiratory therapy resulting in a Bachelor of Science degree may be substituted for all of the required experience.

Desirable Qualifications: Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) recognized by the National Board of Respiratory Care or Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRTT) recognized by the National Board of Respiratory Care.

Salary : $76,872 - $83,604