Registered Respiratory Therapist

Description

Job Summary

The Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) administers respiratory care under a physician's direction, 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. Topicsinclude 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 like pressure-regulated volume control (PRVC) 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 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

• One year of work experience in an adult critical care setting.

• Experience working in a pediatric / neonatal care setting.

• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification.

• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)

• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification.