Under the supervision of the Director of Respiratory Therapy, the Certified Respiratory Therapist is responsible for routine respiratory care as well as non-invasive ventilation, oxygen administration, pulmonary function studies and pulmonary rehabilitation education.
The Certified Respiratory Therapist must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served by his/her department – young adult through geriatric. The Certified Respiratory Therapist must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span; possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status; interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to their age-specific needs; and to provide the care needed as described in Respiratory Therapy Department's policies and procedures.
Type of supervision exercised: None. Jobs reporting to this position: None.
EDUCATION:
High school diploma or equivalent required.
Must be a graduate of an AMA approved school for Certified Respiratory Therapists.
WORK EXPERIENCE:
No previous work experience required.
SPECIAL EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:
Valid PA Driver’s License required.
Current PA State Certified Respiratory Therapist License or temporary work permit issued by the PA State Professional and Occupational Affairs Office required.
Must be cleared by PA State Police criminal history check.
Must be proficient in all aspects of mucus clearance devices / techniques to include vest therapy, chest physiotherapy, percussion, and positioning to insure maximal drainage of all lung segments.
Must be proficient in the operation of cylinder medical gas, liquid oxygen, piped oxygen, regulators, flowmeters, humidifiers, nebulizers, all modes of oxygen administering devices (masks, cannulas), intermittent positive pressure breathing machines, intra-pulmonary percussive ventilation, incentive spirometers, non-invasive ventilation (NPPV), all types of manual resuscitators, air compressors, oxygen analyzer, blood gas sampling kits (needles, syringes, heparin solutions, etc.), pulmonary functioning devices.
Good written and verbal communication skills and interpersonal skills required for effective communication with staff, management, and patients.
Basic computer skills preferred.
Must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide individualized care appropriate to the age specific need and culture of the patient served.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Light work: duties require exerting up to 20 lbs. of force occasionally (approx 10-33% of shift), and/or up to 10 lbs. of force frequently (approx 33-66% of the time), and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move, lift, carry, push, and pull objects.
Position involves bending, reaching, and stooping (occasionally in strained position) throughout shift.
Ability to transport self throughout facility is required.
ACCIDENT OR HEALTH HAZARDS:
Occasional exposure to blood and body substances.
Exposure to needle sticks possible.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Must travel as required.
Works in a well-lit office and patient care areas.
Required Skills
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF JOB: | | | | E = Essential Element NE = Nonessential Element | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 34% Reads orders written by physicians for patient treatment, such as | | type of treatment, medication, dosage, and duration of treatment to | | include medication reconciliation. Determines most suitable method for | | administration of treatment prescribed, continuously monitoring patient, | | guarding against adverse affects. Administers all modes of Oxygen | | Therapy. Conveys to all staff, visitors and patients rules and | | regulations for safety with oxygen as set forth by the National Fire | | Protection Association. (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 10% Performs respiratory assessments and reassessments while | | establishing goals and making appropriate recommendations to physicians | | to include oxygen titration. (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 10% Performs simple spirometry testing before or after broncholilator. | | (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 10% Sets up and administers continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) | | and BIPAP ventilation as indicated by patient’s condition and as | | directed by physician. (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 5% Makes daily oxygen rounds, checking proper function of the apparatus, | | and number of hours of oxygen consumed. Charts his/her observations | | accordingly. Delivers medical gasses with concentrations of aerosolized | | drugs to the patient’s respiratory system. (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 5% Institutes incentive spirometry therapy and deep breathing exercises | | to patients with a need for increasing their lung capacities, usually | | post surgically. (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 5% Draws arterial blood gas samples. (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 5% Performs any special tasks deemed by Assistant Director related to | | work area. (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 5% Coordinate charge entry processes. (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 4% As member of the cardiopulmonary resuscitation team, responds to all | | “Code Blue” pages, assisting in efforts to restore and maintain life. | | (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 3% Administers aerosol therapy, adding increased amounts of humidity to | | patient’s tracheal-bronchial tree. (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 2% Induces sputum collections – a procedure in which deep lung | | secretions are made available for laboratory analysis – using special | | equipment for aerosol inhalation and pulmonary. Informs physician of | | respiratory infections. (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 2% Keeps and maintains all equipment used by respiratory therapy clean | | and in good working order. (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+
Required Experience
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF JOB: | | | | E = Essential Element NE = Nonessential Element | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 34% Reads orders written by physicians for patient treatment, such as | | type of treatment, medication, dosage, and duration of treatment to | | include medication reconciliation. Determines most suitable method for | | administration of treatment prescribed, continuously monitoring patient, | | guarding against adverse affects. Administers all modes of Oxygen | | Therapy. Conveys to all staff, visitors and patients rules and | | regulations for safety with oxygen as set forth by the National Fire | | Protection Association. (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 10% Performs respiratory assessments and reassessments while | | establishing goals and making appropriate recommendations to physicians | | to include oxygen titration. (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 10% Performs simple spirometry testing before or after broncholilator. | | (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 10% Sets up and administers continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) | | and BIPAP ventilation as indicated by patient’s condition and as | | directed by physician. (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 5% Makes daily oxygen rounds, checking proper function of the apparatus, | | and number of hours of oxygen consumed. Charts his/her observations | | accordingly. Delivers medical gasses with concentrations of aerosolized | | drugs to the patient’s respiratory system. (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 5% Institutes incentive spirometry therapy and deep breathing exercises | | to patients with a need for increasing their lung capacities, usually | | post surgically. (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 5% Draws arterial blood gas samples. (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 5% Performs any special tasks deemed by Assistant Director related to | | work area. (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 5% Coordinate charge entry processes. (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 4% As member of the cardiopulmonary resuscitation team, responds to all | | “Code Blue” pages, assisting in efforts to restore and maintain life. | | (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 3% Administers aerosol therapy, adding increased amounts of humidity to | | patient’s tracheal-bronchial tree. (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 2% Induces sputum collections – a procedure in which deep lung | | secretions are made available for laboratory analysis – using special | | equipment for aerosol inhalation and pulmonary. Informs physician of | | respiratory infections. (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 2% Keeps and maintains all equipment used by respiratory therapy clean | | and in good working order. (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+