Respiratory Therapist

Description

The Registered Respiratory Therapist reports to and receives general supervision from the Director of Rehabilitation; receives clinical supervision from the Director of Clinical Services and is responsible for providing respiratory care services to assigned residents in compliance with current applicable federal, state, and local standards, guidelines, and established policies and procedures to prevent avoidable physical and/or mental deterioration and to assist them in obtaining and maintaining their highest practicable level of functioning and psychosocial well-being. Performs basic and advanced therapeutic, diagnostic and life support respiratory care procedures in general an intensive patient care areas, or home care environment.

Schedule: Full-Time, 12 Hour Shifts

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assesses, plans, implements and evaluates patient care in order to achieve optimum patient outcomes for patients of all ages as appropriate to service area.
• Age specific ongoing assessments are completed, documented and used to develop a plan of care.
• Collaborates with members of the health care team/patient/family to develop, implement and evaluate an age-specific interdisciplinary plan of care. Revises plan according to changes in patient’s status.
• Treatments and medications for patients of all ages are accurately administered and documented.
• Patient/family (caregiver) educational needs are identified in a timely manner, incorporated into the plan of care, implemented and documented appropriately.
• Actively participates in performance improvement program by obtaining desired outcomes. Assures personnel and professional development through participation in educational activities and completion of annual competency validation.
• Consistently demonstrates the role of patient advocate, protector of patient’s rights, and provider of psychological/social/cultural support.
• Applies knowledge of growth and development to appropriately care for patients served.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduate of a physical therapy program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE®) or predecessor organizations.
• Must have successfully completed a period of supervised fieldwork experience required by the recognized educational institution where the applicant met the academic requirements.
• Must have passed all examinations for Registered Respiratory Therapists.
• Possess a current and unencumbered license, registration, or certification as required by law or regulation.
• Must posses a working knowledge of Physical Therapy practices, including the ability to recall important and commonly used information in source documents, and an understanding of the application of the pertinent principles in this field.
• Abide by the Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Registered Respiratory Therapist of the American Physical Therapy Association.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies.
• Must maintain a current license at all times throughout employment.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS:

• Must possess adequate vision and hearing to perform essential job duties.
• Must be able to safely lift, transfer, and assist patients as needed, several times per day.
• Must be able to stand for extended periods of time and move freely throughout the facility, both in-doors and out-doors.
• Must be able to carry objects to multiple locations, safely push wheelchairs and patient beds and reach above head level several times per day.
• Must be able to perform tasks requiring mental reasoning, sequencing and discrimination.
• Must be able to perform math calculations.