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Respiratory Therapist RT Part Time

Vibra Healthcare, Sweetwater, TX, United States


Facility Type
Long Term Acute Care

Responsibilities
Part‑Time 8a-8p

Under the supervision of the Respiratory Therapy Manager and/or the Lead Respiratory Therapist and upon request of the physician, sets up and operates various types of respiratory care equipment to be utilized in the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory disease and/or illness.

Certificates And Licenses

Licensed to practice by the state of employment as a Respiratory Practitioner.

Must have BLS upon hire and obtain ACLS certification within 90 days of employment.

Must maintain licenses and certification for the duration of employment.

Summary Of Essential Job Functions

Provides care for the Adult or Geriatric patient, ages 18 years and over.

Demonstrates and understands the importance of and respect for the rights, dignity and individuality of each patient in all interactions.

Explains purpose and procedure of treatments, tests and equipment to the patient and properly documents all education given to patient(s) and their caregivers on the patient education form in the patient’s chart.

Conducts physician‑prescribed treatments including but not limited to Hand Held Nebulizer Therapy and various nasal oxygen devices to administer prescribed medicinal vapors and gases, humidity, various oxygen concentrations to the respiratory system of the patient, and chest physical therapy treatments.

Sets up, operates and monitors ventilators when the patient’s respiratory system is incapable of adequate spontaneous ventilation. Participates in ventilator weaning process, utilizing protocols and physician direction. Sets up ventilator using the ventilator graphics to ensure the patient is comfortable and getting enough flow to meet his/her respiratory demand.

Ensures adequate maintenance of ventilation during cardio‑pulmonary resuscitation; intubates as necessary.

Records all pertinent information of treatments and patient response to treatments on respiratory care records and patient chart; places MAR’s on patient’s chart in proper order.

Performs trach care per hospital policy and procedure.

Changes out trach tubes as necessary and per hospital policy and procedure; properly documents changes on the respiratory progress notes.

Changes out tubing and inline suction devices, including suction canisters, per hospital policy and procedure.

Reports treatments to be conducted and condition of patients to relief personnel. Gives a complete report of any changes made and new orders written and keeps the patient’s primary care nurse informed of such changes.

Processes respiratory therapy equipment including ENT/Bronchoscope; cleans, sterilizes and packages as required. Uses the clean and dirty scope boxes and properly prepares the scope for transport to and from the cleaning area. Ensures that Cidex OPA is functional including a test strip within the last 24 hours.

Performs preventative maintenance and repair of equipment, including EST and SST pre‑use checks on ventilator before each use or as needed and properly documents in the cleaning log.

Makes regular rounds. Checks the patient’s ventilator at least every 4 hours and oxygen equipment at least once per shift, fills room humidifiers, changes suction canisters daily, as well as spot‑checking other respiratory therapy equipment per hospital policy and procedure.

Utilizes specialized knowledge of respiratory therapy procedures in performing diagnostic studies. Performs and evaluates blood gas analysis, including arterial and venous. Demonstrates competency in the use of the blood gas device(s). Maintains continuing education annually related to laboratory practices.

Assists in preparing respiratory care/ventilator patients for physical therapy, ambulation, transport, etc. Properly stores oxygen tanks per OSHA and hospital guidelines.

Attends monthly Respiratory Care departmental meetings on general staff meetings and in‑services.

Standard Job Duties

Adheres to all components of the Hospital Compliance Plan in performing job duties and reports any violations or suspected violations of the Plan to the Compliance Officer.

Demonstrates professional conduct and complies with hospital and departmental policies and procedures.

Adheres to hospital attendance policy as outlined in the Employee Handbook.

Complies with measures for preventing exposure to blood‑borne pathogens.

Participates in the Hazardous Material Program; hazards include exposure to blood and body fluids, possible communicable diseases, sharp objects and instruments, assorted chemicals and gases as listed in the Hazardous Materials Program Manual.

Complies with established Safety and Patient Safety Program practices.

Performs other incidental and related duties, as required and/or assigned.

Develops an understanding of responsibilities for recognizing patient abuse and follows policy for making appropriate referrals/interventions.

Develops an understanding of responsibilities for participation in Performance Improvement activities and participates in such activities.

Limits access to protected health information (PHI) to the information reasonably necessary to do the job, and shares such information only on a need‑to‑know basis for work purposes.

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