Respiratory Therapy Technician

Overview

Provide respiratory care services that are covered under the employee's limited license to practice  respiratory care.

 

Special Instructions

Must successfully complete formal respiratory therapy courses, obtain certification from the National Board of Respiratory Care, and possess a valid Kentucky Board of Respiratory Care license.

Responsibilities

• Performs equipment storage, assembly, disassembly, and maintenance.

• Transports gas cylinders safely and appropriately.

• Administers oxygen therapy.

• Administers hand-held nebulizer treatments.

• Instructs patients in the use of incentive spirometers.

• Instructs patients in the use of metered dose inhalers (MDIs).

• Performs sputum inductions.

• Performs subsequent applications of CPAP and BiPAP.

• Performs blood gas analysis.

• Performs pulmonary function testing.

• Performs ventilator application and maintenance under direct observation of a preceptor.

• Performs ventilator application and maintenance independently following demonstrated competency.

• Performs arterial punctures.

• Obtains hemodynamic line draws.

• Performs manual ventilation during CPR and patient transport.

• Performs nasotracheal suctioning.

• Responsible for the safe and effective administration of medically prescribed medications, understanding their indications and contraindications.

• Knows and follows indications, contraindications, policies, and procedures related to administering therapeutic modalities including IPPB, IS, USN, HHN, and MDI therapies.

• Sets up and monitors oxygen administration.

• Sets up oxygen cylinders and ensures proper usage and safety measures are maintained.

• Performs bedside pulmonary function tests (PFTs).

• May perform pulmonary function testing in the PFT laboratory following appropriate training and orientation.

• Serves as a member of the Code Team and responds to cardiac and respiratory arrest situations.

• Performs CPR compressions as required and maintains annual CPR certification.

• Performs daily and weekly preventive maintenance, calibration, and quality control testing of ABG and co-oximeter analyzers.

• Demonstrates familiarity with oxygen delivery systems, including nasal cannulas and Venturi masks.

• Demonstrates familiarity with respiratory measurement devices including pulse oximeters, Wright respirometers, and oxygen blenders.

• Assists with setup, safety checks, monitoring, and troubleshooting of mechanical ventilators in collaboration with a Respiratory Therapist.

• Demonstrates knowledge of CPAP and BiPAP setup and administration.

• Maintains accurate and legible records and documents clinical notes in patient charts.

• Reports patient progress and prioritizes patient condition during shift-to-shift handoff.

• Maintains proper documentation within departmental records.

• Participates in staff meetings, lectures, conferences, and seminars.

• Attends all required safety training programs and demonstrates knowledge of responsibilities related to general safety, department safety, and specific job-related hazards.

• Follows hospital exposure control plans for bloodborne and airborne pathogens.

• Demonstrates respect and regard for the dignity of all patients, families, visitors, and fellow employees to ensure a professional, responsible, and courteous environment.

• Promotes effective working relationships and works effectively as part of a department/unit team interdepartmentally and intradepartmentally to facilitate departmental goals and objectives.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• High School Diploma or GED required.

• Associate's Degree in Respiratory Care required.

Required Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

• Working knowledge of problem solving and decision making skills.

• Working knowledge of digital literacy skills.

Outpatient Services

• Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT).

• Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) testing.

• Stress testing.

• Home sleep studies.

• In-Lab sleep studies.

• Electroencephalogram (EEG) testing.

• Holter monitor application and monitoring.

• Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) testing.

• Six Minute Walk Testing.

Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehabilitation

• Phase I: Initial assessment.

• Phase II: Development and implementation of individualized plans including monitored exercise programs.

• Phase III: Self-controlled long-term maintenance programs.

Licenses & Certifications

• Kentucky Board of Respiratory Care credential required.

• National Board of Respiratory Care credential required.

• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.

• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification required for Cardiac and Rehabilitation staff.