IRP-Reg Respiratory Therapist (HS)

-maintains all types of ventilators, Bi-PAP/CPAP, oxygen and aerosol equipment in compliance with manufacturer guidelines and department guidelines.

-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, airway clearance procedures, and continuous positive airway pressure treatments in accordance with department policies and protocols.

-administers all types of respiratory therapy procedures in accordance with current clinical standards and department policies.

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

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

5% - Diagnostics

-performs bedside diagnostic procedures including pulmonary function testing, pulse oximetry, and capnometry in accordance with hospital and departmental policies.

-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.

-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.

-recommend appropriate therapy or changes in therapy indicated by these tests.

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

-performs quality monitoring in accordance with departmental guidelines.

10% - 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

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

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

5% - Charge

-assumes responsibility for the over-all operations of the department as the charge therapist.

-assures compliance with all hospital and departmental policies.

-organizes workload of individual staff, and readjusts them as needed to insure quality patient care maximum productivity.

5% - Perform cardio-pulmonary resuscitation.

5% - Perform intubations (EAST ONLY)

5% - Assess the need for, and assist in the arrangement of home oxygen and/or respiratory therapy equipment.