641

Job Summary:

Monitors and ensures proper operation and functioning of respiratory therapy equipment. Monitors patients physiological parameters during therapy. Administers medical gases and aerosolized drugs.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Initiates therapy under a Physicians order and makes appropriate recommendations for modalities of Therapy.

• Implements therapy for, and monitors patients while on continuous mechanical ventilators and all modes of positive pressure breathing devices.

• Utilizes clinical and other data to assess cardiopulmonary status of patients.

• Assists in intubation.

• Provides bedside spirometry.

• Evaluates ventilator dependent patients' readiness to wean.

• Administers humidified medical gases as ordered by practitioners with authority to prescribe.

• Interprets blood gas results.

• Consults attending physician/practitioner regarding appropriate therapy.

• Performs arterial punctures.

• Withdraws blood samples from indwelling lines.

• Provides ventilatory support during special procedures.

• Coordinates transport of ventilatory equipment.

• Implements and monitors care of patients on heated aerosols and CPAP as per practitioner order.

• Develops good working relationships with laboratory, x-ray, infection control, nursing, physicians and other healthcare workers to maintain optimum total patient care.

• Cleans and maintains all respiratory therapy equipment.

• Assists in maintaining adequate inventory of respiratory supplies.

• Conducts quality control tests on all respiratory equipment.

• Maintains equipment in safe, workable order; Requests repair when necessary.

• Participates in continuous quality improvement teams as required.

• Monitors esophageal pressures, swan ganz catheter data, CVP, arterial blood pressures, electrolytes, fluid balance and intravascular volumes as they pertain to respiratory patients.

• Performs chest physiotherapy, manual ventilation and suctioning.

• Positions patients to facilitate respiration.

• Performs tracheostomy care and mouth care on intubated/trached patients.

• Changes tracheostomy tube as ordered.

• Performs electroencephalogram as ordered.

• This includes taking measurements of the head, placement of electrodes, acquisition of data, monitoring of vital signs.

• Performs polysomnography as ordered for sleep studies.

• Documents pertinent information in medical record.

• Documents care provided in medical record.

• Monitors disease processes, arterial and venous catheter placement and endotracheal tube placement via chest x-ray.

• Communicates pertinent patient information to physicians, practitioners and nurses as appropriate.

• Participates in patient rounds with Pulmonologist/Intensivist/Neonatologist.

• Responds to and participates in Code Blue as part of Code team/RRT Team.

• Able to instruct patient and family on disease processes and treatments provided by Respiratory Therapy in accordance with the hospital patient/family education policies and procedures.

• Assumes on-call status as needed.

• Other duties as assigned.