Respiratory Therapist - Physician Practice

Job Summary

The Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) administers respiratory care under the direction of a physician, as assigned within scope of practice.

Responsibilities And Scope

• Administers respiratory patient care under the direction of a physician. Identifies and pursues expected patient outcomes in collaboration with the interdisciplinary care team.

• Educates patients, especially those with complex care issues, within hospital setting and for post-discharge care. Topics include but are not limited to:

• Bronchodilator usage

• Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) equipment usage, care and maintenance

• Ramifications of smoking / tobacco usage and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

• Asthma symptom management and medication usage

• Administers aerosol medications, oxygen therapy and other components of standard respiratory care. Provides for all aspects of airway management including aspiration of established airways.

• Intubates critical care patients as directed by a physician. Selects specialized ventilator modes such as pressure-regulated volume control (PRVC) in order to manage specific disease processes. Monitors intubated patients on an ongoing, round the clock basis. Weans intubated patients from ventilation through evaluative measures including spontaneous breathing trials.

• Evaluates blood-gas levels through the use of arterial punctures for all intubated patients and as ordered by a physician. Adjusts care as needed, including parameters of respiratory equipment.

• Implements the use of a range of respiratory equipment for breathing assistance and secretion management. Tests equipment, patient response and leads patient through breathing exercises.

Qualifications

Required

• Active Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) status as administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC)

• Current North Carolina Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license as issued by the North Carolina Respiratory Care Board (NCRCB).

• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification

Preferred

• Experience working in a pediatric / neonatal care setting.

• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification.

• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification.