Respiratory Therapist Pulmonary Rehab

Facility: Kennestone Hospital

Job Summary:

The Respiratory Therapist is responsible for implementing respiratory care based on expanded knowledge, experience, and the evaluate-and-treat process. The Respiratory Therapist is responsible for delivering patient care in complex, multiple problem-patient care situations. The majority of time is in outpatient Pulmonary Rehabilitation, with significant independent decision-making and self direction. In addition, to patient care delivery, the Respiratory Therapist is responsible for patient, family/support system education, coordination of activities, staff development, and professional and self-developmental activities. The Respiratory Therapist is responsible for providing patient care with an understanding and awareness of population specific needs. The Respiratory Therapist addresses the biological, emotional, and developmental, psychosocial, and patient/family education needs when providing care to the patient. The Respiratory Therapist partners with the multidisciplinary team of professionals and the develops individualized goal-oriented care plans and exercise prescriptions.

Core Responsibilities and Essential Functions:

Provides Customer Service
- a. Completion of patient care, documentation, and education
- b. Team approach to service
- c. Promotes a team spirit and positive work environment
- d. Provides supportive environment for students and staff Administers Quality Patient Care
- a. Performs patient assessment assessment for therapy
- b. Collaborates with health care team members in planning patient care
- c. Verifies orders and administers aerosolized medication, bronchial hygiene, volume expansion, oxygen
- d
- e. Performs pulse oximetry tests during pulmonary rehab sessions as well as 6MWT (six-minute walk test).
- d. Delivers oxygen therapy as appropriate in pulmonary rehab setting
- e. Teaches and promotes respiratory muscle training, diaphragm and pursed-lip breathing.
- f. Educates patient and mentors/precepts new employees, students and peers
- g. Location Specific:
- Cardiac EKG monitoring
- Develops individual treatment plan including exercise prescription Provides Safe Quality Environment
- a. Promotes current and accurate electronic orders, charting and charging
- b. Promotes high level of patient safety (Medication Safety, NPSG, etc)
- c. Promotes Performance Improvement initiatives designed to promote quality care
- d. Promotes evidence-based practice
- e. Reviews the revised and new DPPs

Required Minimum Education:

GED of an accredited respiratory therapy education program (CoARC or CAAHP) with minimally 20 quarter hours of science Required and
Associate's Degree Required and
Bachelor's Degree Preferred

Required Minimum License(s) and Certification(s):
All certifications are required upon hire unless otherwise stated.

• Respiratory Care Prof
• Registered Respiratory Therapi
• Basic Life Support or BLS - Instructor
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support-Preferred or ACLS - Instructor-Preferred or ACLS - Provisional-Preferred

Additional License(s) and Certification(s):



Required Minimum Experience:

Less than 1 year 1-2 yrs clinical experience. Required

Required Minimum Skills:

Ability to communicate well, critical thinking skills, establish and maintain working relationships with physicians and other health care professionals, and computer skills including familiarity with databases.
Good customer relation, assessment, and communication skills are a must for this job.