Respiratory Therapist

GENERAL SUMMARY:

The Respiratory Therapist is responsible for the initiation of standard therapy, protocols and diagnostic pulmonary procedures. This position is responsible for providing care to patients in all Merrick Medical Center care settings.

PRINCIPAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Commits to the mission, vision, beliefs and consistently demonstrates our core values.
• Participates in meetings, committees and lean projects as assigned.
• Maintains professional growth and development through seminars, workshops, and professional affiliations to keep abreast of latest trends in field of expertise.
• Performs service excellence must-haves to achieve an excellent patient/customer experience.
• Uses quality improvement processes, programs or outcome to help improve department operations.
• Reviews sleep study QI and data provided by contracted sleep study vendor.
• Collaborates with Quality Coordinator to report quality improvement/performance indicators (QI/PI) measures as appropriate to staff and board.
• Performs electrocardiographs (EKG), overnight pulse oximetry, Holtor monitors, pulmonary function tests (PFT), home sleep studies, hand held nebulizers (HHN), incentive spirometry, chest physiotherapy (CPT), oxygen therapy, pulse oximetry checks, and sputum inductions.
• Assists with codes, traumas, and airway maintenance.
• Performs respiratory care discharge planning including qualifying a patient for home oxygen (O2) or nebulizer use.
• Provides respiratory disease/process-specific patient/family education.
• Assists with Pulmonary Clinic.
• Reviews patient's electronic medical record (EMR) for recovery of missed charges (QI Studies).
• Checks portable O2 level biweekly and storage weekly.
• Schedules and oversees Sleep Studies/Sleep Lab as ordered.
• Monitors and administers respiratory care modalities to patients. Identifies contra-indications and patient response to therapy and records therapy and outcomes in the EMR.
• Develops plans for the delivery of respiratory care as directed by physicians or protocols.
• Cleans, disinfects and sterilizes all respiratory equipment following current infection control guidelines; assembles equipment as required.
• Performs other related projects and duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Graduation from an AMA approved program of Respiratory Care accredited by the National Board of Respiratory Care, Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) or Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) required. Current Respiratory Care License in the State of Nebraska required.

OTHER CREDENTIALS / CERTIFICATIONS:

Basic Life Support Certification is required.