Respiratory Therapist

Under the direction of a physician, the RRT provides all respiratory care related duties and functions as a member of the interdisciplinary team.

Sets up and administers all routine and complex respiratory care procedures to patients including pediatrics, Emergency/Trauma Department, Step-Down Critical Care and Adult Critical Care Units using protocol driven care.

Provides critical and emergent care, airway stabilization and management, non-invasive ventilation, and is responsible for acute care ventilators used for continuous short and long term ventilation.

Exemplifies the Mercyhealth mission, vision and values, and acts in accordance with the organization’s policies and procedures.

They will perform other duties as assigned.

Essential duties and responsibilities

Performs routine therapies that aid in the treatment, diagnosis, and evaluation of their cardiopulmonary status.

Will Initiate, monitor, evaluate, and wean invasive and non-invasive ventilation. Makes parameter recommendations based on clinical assessment, technical assessment, patient compliance, patient response, laboratory values, and patient status.

Initiates and provides on-going evaluation of treatment regime including medication delivery and oxygen administration through therapist driven protocols by performing patient assessments to determine the needs related to treatment therapies, frequencies, and duration of treatment regime ordered by physician.

Assesses patients clinically before and after the administration or application of any medication, procedure, or device; recommends appropriate therapy including initial therapy, changes in therapy, and discontinuation.

Monitors, assesses, educates, and documents the patient and/or family on therapies, medications, goals of therapies, and equipment during treatment.

Documents work timely, completely, and accurately including documentation in the patient electronic medical record and departmental records.

Demonstrates competence in the set-up, calibration, and troubleshooting of mechanical ventilators, noninvasive ventilation devices, therapeutic bronchoscopies and pulmonary function screens.

Cleans using high level disinfection, assembles, and maintains equipment and the stocking of departmental supplies.

Performs and documents emergency rounds, oxygen saturation checks, and titrates oxygen per protocol during oxygen and aerosol rounds.

Performs therapies in strict compliance to universal precautions and proper body mechanics, using sound judgment in evaluating situations, and taking appropriate action when necessary.

Responds to emergent care situations in the hospital and assists with resuscitation by providing chest compressions, airway management, airway stabilization, and ventilatory support in accordance with the American Heart association guidelines and as directed by the Code Team Leader.

Transports adult patients on mechanical ventilators, non-invasive ventilation devices, and critically ill to intrahospital procedures and testing.

Provides developmentally appropriate care to support the various patient populations during their hospitalization. Demonstrates competence in the care of pediatric and adult patients (when/if assigned to these patients) relative to determining each patient’s age related and other physical, psycho-social, and cultural needs.

Maintains proficiency in the processing and interpreting of point of care (POC) blood gases, glucose, and electrolytes; and collaborates on quality control with the POC Coordinator (at applicable locations only).

May require on call coverage as needed.

Performs other duties as assigned.