Respiratory Therapist 1 PRN

The Respiratory Therapist 1 administers basic respiratory care therapeutics and diagnostic services with skill and proficiency. Integrates knowledge, skills, and experience to promote optimum patient care. Works effectively and appropriately communicating with other healthcare team members, patients, and/or families if needed. Utilizes standards, guidelines, protocols, and pathways for optimal care delivery, while incorporating data and information to continually improve care and practice to enhance outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Administers basic respiratory therapeutic interventions (i.e. gas/humidity therapy, bronchial hygiene, CPT, lung inflation, airway management, manual ventilation, resuscitation and medicated aerosol) with moderate proficiency and occasional supervision.
• Establishes and manages basic mechanical ventilation with the most commonly used ventilators with moderate proficiency and occasional supervision.
• Performs weaning mechanics as ordered with high proficiency in more than 90 percent of ventilator patients cared for. Reviews the need for continuing ventilator support (i.e. spontaneous breathing trail, weaning) in more than 90 percent of the ventilator patients cared for on a daily basis.
• Collects specimens and performs basic diagnostic testing (e.g. EKG, sputum collection, bedside spirometry) with moderate proficiency and occasional supervision.
• Displays a moderate degree of accuracy in the interpretation of basic diagnostic and monitoring data (e.g. spirometry, CXR, culture and sensitivity, blood gases) in the majority of the patients cared for.

Requirements

• Graduate of an accredited CoARC (The Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care) respiratory care program.
• Certified Respiratory Therapist by the National Board of Respiratory Care.
• Basic Life Support from AHA upon start
• Licensed Respiratory Therapist and eligible to practice in the Commonwealth of Virginia.