SSH-RESPIRATORY THERAPIST - RRT

General Purpose of Job:

A respiratory therapist provides professional respiratory therapy services for a variety of routine and advanced forms of respiratory therapy for the diagnosis, treatment, and care of patients with respiratory dysfunction.

Essential Duties:

This job description is intended to cover the minimum essential duties assigned on a regular basis. Associates may be asked to perform additional duties as assigned by their leader. Leadership has the right to alter or modify the duties of the position.

• Develops plan of care based on assessment data and standards ofcare for patient.
• Develops and implements individualized patient/family teachingplans.
• Participates in discharge planning.
• Administers therapies as ordered by physician according totraining and experience.
• Sets up, maintains and monitors mechanical ventilation systemaccording to patient needs.
• Demonstrates knowledge and use of unit specific equipment andappropriate supplies used to deliver the highest quality patient care.
• Performs routine respiratory therapy equipment maintenance,cleaning/sterilization and ensures environmental safety.
• Documents and communicates all patients concerns during shift. May accept and documentphysician telephone orders for respiratory therapy procedures.
• Manages a safe environment.
• Draws arterial blood gases according to hospital policies and procedures.
• Interprets arterial blood gases and oximetry results.
• Runs EKGs.
• Transports patients who have respiratory needs.
• Participates in the planning, implementation and evaluation of quality improvement activities within department, health system and/orcommunity.
• Compliance with Infection Control Standards, includingStandard/Universal Precautions, Hand Hygiene and Personal ProtectiveEquipment (PPE).
• Demonstrates knowledge and respects patient, service provider, organizational confidentiality andHIPAA Security procedures and protocols as defined under the HIPAA Privacy and Security Procedures.
• Follows establishedHIPAA privacy procedures when using and/or disclosing protected health information.
• Maintains and protects patients rights under the HIPAA Privacy Standards.
• Completes occurrencereports as necessary.
• Attendance at weeklyInterdisciplinary Team Meeting.
• Takes telephone orders from physicians per policy using "Read back" requirement.
• Participates in theaccreditation process.
• Carries pager duringworking hours.
• Covers respiratory needs of St. Lawrence Campus as needed.