Respiratory Therapy Technician

[3:12 PM] Hunter, Jeff

Duties and Responsibilities

35% -Equipment

-assesses the need for oxygen and aerosol equipment in accordance with department policies and protocols under the direct supervision of a Respiratory Care Therapist or Registered Respiratory Therapist.

-communicates equipment needs to co-workers other members of the health care team as appropriate.

-sets up, operates, oxygen and aerosol equipment in accordance with current clinical standards and department policies in an efficient manner, under the direct supervision of a Respiratory Care Therapist or Registered Respiratory Therapist.

-maintain all types of oxygen and aerosol equipment in compliance with manufacturer guidelines and department guidelines, under the direct supervision of a Respiratory Care Therapist or Registered Respiratory Therapist.

-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, postural drainage and percussion, and continuous positive airway pressure treatments in accordance with department policies and protocols, under the direct supervision of a Respiratory Care Therapist or Registered Respiratory Therapist.

-administers all types of respiratory therapy procedures in accordance with current clinical standards and department policies, under the direct supervision of a Respiratory Care Therapist or Registered Respiratory Therapist.

-communicates the need for changes in therapy to co-workers other members of the health care team as appropriate.

-keeps up to date with the state of the art in 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.

10% - Diagnostics

-performs bedside diagnostic procedures including pulmonary function testing, pulse oximetry, and capnometry in accordance with hospital and departmental policies, under the direct supervision of a Respiratory Care Therapist or Registered Respiratory Therapist.

-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, under the direct supervision of a Respiratory Care Therapist or Registered Respiratory Therapist.

-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, under the direct supervision of a Respiratory Care Therapist or Registered Respiratory Therapist.

-recommend appropriate therapy or changes in therapy indicated by these tests, under the direct supervision of a Respiratory Care Therapist or Registered Respiratory Therapist.

-communicates results and therapy recommendations to other health care team members as appropriate.

-performs quality monitoring in accordance with departmental guidelines, under the direct supervision of a Respiratory Care Therapist or Registered Respiratory Therapist.

5% -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, under the direct supervision of a Respiratory Care Therapist or Registered Respiratory Therapist.

-documents the results in compliance with departmental and hospital policies.

-provides instruction and mentoring to staff and students as needed.

5% - Perform cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, in compliance with hospital and departmental policies.

5% - Assess the need for, set up, operate and maintain all types of ventilators in accordance with departmental policies and procedures, under the direct supervision of a Respiratory Care Therapist or Registered Respiratory Therapist.