Job Description

Job Objective

Work under the management of the Director of Respiratory Therapy Services and the direction of the assigned Respiratory Therapy Supervisor. A Respiratory Therapist I must display knowledge and ability to provide respiratory care to a wide range of patients from Pediatric to Geriatric. A Respiratory Therapist I is able to work in the Intensive Care Unit or the Emergency room as well as Pediatrics and on all floors of the Hospital.

Duties and Responsibilities:

A. Maintains high standards of customer service

B. Provides routine bronchodilator therapy and patient assessment:

Uses Hand Held Nebulizer Uses Metered Dose Inhaler Competent with Continuous Nebulization Can use IPPB Able to identify different breath sounds, their meaning and recognize changes Recognizes accessory muscle use Uses Peak Flow Meter to assess efficacy of treatments Performs Bedside Pulmonary Function Tests

C. Provides oxygen therapy:

Expert in standard 02 delivery devices, their uses and liter flow requirements Able to use and set up both heated and cool aerosol therapy Able to use and set up High-Flow Nasal cannula Understands danger of 02 misuse, especially for CO2 retainers

D. Provides Critical Care:

Manages Ventilators on intubated patients Obtains Arterial Blood Gases (ABGs) or Capillary Blood Gases (CBGs) and recommends a course of action based on their results Places and manages non-invasive ventilation on patients Assists with intubations Performs intubations in emergencies after certification

E. Provides Emergency Care.

Responds to all Code Blues Is competent in bag and mask or bag and ET tube ventilation Able to work under extreme pressure and stress

F. Documents and communicates well

Therapist must document therapies and evaluations completely and accurately in the patient record whether manually or electronically Therapist must be responsible for assuring all actions are reflected in the daily billing by end of shift Therapist must ensure all scheduled therapies are entered into the computer accurately Must be able to communicate well with other members of the health care team, including doctors, nurses and other therapists

Non-Essential Duties:

Assists the Director of Respiratory Services and Supervisors or designee in completing alternate job duties as instructed. Maintains a professional behavior Always represents Antelope Valley Hospital and the Respiratory Therapy Department in a positive

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge

Thorough knowledge of Pulmonary Disease states, their signs, symptoms and treatments Knowledge of and ability to use a wide variety of ventilation strategies to treat patients Knowledge of current practice in the care of Geriatrics, and Pediatrics Knowledge of medications used in Respiratory Therapy, their methods of administration, dosages, diseases treated, effects and adverse effects Knowledge of pulmonary anatomy in adults and the effects of disease on the pulmonary anatomy Demonstrates knowledge regarding the special needs, interests and behaviors of age specific groups. Demonstrates knowledge regarding the special needs, interests, and behaviors of patients requiring critical or specialized care.

Skills

Skill at drawing ABGs and CBGs Demonstrated good communication skills. Good organizational skills.

Abilities

Ability to accurately interpret results of ABGs and CBGs and initiate corrective action Ability to assemble, test, and place into use all respiratory therapy equipment used at AVH for Adult and Pediatric care Ability to think and act quickly in high-pressure situations

Education and Experience:

Education

Graduate from school accredited for the education of Respiratory Care Practitioners and recognized by the state of California or the state of the school's location. High School diploma or GED equivalent

Experience

Minimum experience provided through Externship/internship program of accredited school for education of Respiratory Care Practitioners.

Required Licensure and/or Certifications:

Must be licensed with the State of California as a Respiratory Care Practitioner Credentialed with the National Board of Respiratory Care as a Registered Respiratory Therapist. (RRT) If not already registered, staff will have five (5) years to obtain this credential. Current BCLS Certification Current PALS Certification

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

Frequently moving large ventilators on wheels, which weigh up to 150 pounds, throughout the hospital. Moving tents and cylinders throughout the hospital. Working in small or crowded rooms. Working in all areas of the hospital. Walking, stairs, out of doors in all weather conditions. Frequently Lifting/Carrying 25-50 pounds and pushing/pulling 36-50 pounds throughout shift. Able to use Personal Protection Equipment Potential exposure to patient blood or body fluids


A detailed description of the physical requirements of this job is maintained in the Employee Health Department.

Education and Experience:

Education

Graduate from school accredited for the education of Respiratory Care Practitioners and recognized by the state of California or the state of the school's location. High School diploma or GED equivalent

Experience

Minimum experience provided through Externship/internship program of accredited school for education of Respiratory Care Practitioners.

Required Licensure and/or Certifications:

Must be licensed with the State of California as a Respiratory Care Practitioner Credentialed with the National Board of Respiratory Care as a Registered Respiratory Therapist. (RRT) If not already registered, staff will have five (5) years to obtain this credential. Current BCLS Certification * Current PALS Certification