Under the direction of the Respiratory Therapy Supervisor, the Respiratory Therapist (RT) is responsible for working with the physician, nurses, and other health team members to deliver medication, promote bronchial hygiene, manage mechanical ventilators, and monitor oxygenation status of patients.

• Assess patients and recommend respiratory therapy treatments with identification of expected outcomes and assists to develop plan of care based on diagnoses or issues.
• Plans, prepares, and administers respiratory therapy treatments including, but not limited to PEP Therapy, aerosol therapy, chest physical therapy, incentive spirometry, and sputum inductions.
• Performs arterial blood gas (ABG) puncture draw from arterial and central venous lines, and analysis.
• Performs advanced respiratory care modalities including but not limited to high frequency ventilation, nitric oxide administration and difficult intubation procedures.
• Knowledgeable and competent to care for the patient receiving mechanical ventilation, including ventilator setup, management of complicated patients, weaning and discontinuation, and proper troubleshooting.
• Educates the patient and family about the illness and provides information about community support groups and available programs.
• Performs diagnostic pulmonary and cardiac tests.
• Provides accurate medication and dosage to the correct patient as prescribed.
• Records patient treatment, response, and progress in a timely manner.
• Responds to Code Blue and Rapid Response calls and assists by maintaining the patient's airway and performing CPR.
• Role models pro-active problem solving by collaborating with staff to ensure effective resolution of identified issues.
• Utilizes chain of command for unresolved or escalating issues and advocates for patients and staff to provide for safe delivery of care and/or a safe environment of care.
• Assures first person reporting of events through Event Reporting System.
• Actively participates and supports quality assurance and improvement programs.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

• Ability to demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and ability to assess data reflective of the patient's requirements relative to his or her population-specific and age specific needs. Ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the patient population(s) served.
• Ability to demonstrate effective verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills. Ability to demonstrate effectiveness as a group leader and participant. Ability to collaborate with multiple members of the health care and administrative leadership team.
• Ability to contribute to initiatives and processes while supporting a collaborative and respectful team environment and improving workflows.
• Communicates effectively with all encounters supporting an environment of collaboration.
• Excellent assessment. clinical skills, and organizational skills with attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and coordinate work within schedule constraints and handle emergent requirements in a timely manner.
• Ability to provides accurate medication and dosage to the correct patient as prescribed.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to exercise independent judgment.
• Ability to critically think and problem solve for clinical patient issues.
• Competent at ventilator management.

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor's degree in Respiratory Therapy from an accredited program required
• Master of Science in Respiratory Care (MSRC) preferred
  

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION:

• Licensed by the Texas Medical Board (RCP) Upon Hire Required
• American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) certification within 7 days of hire Required
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) within 90 Days of hire Required
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) within 60 Days of hire Required
• National Board for Respiratory Care Certification (NBRC) Upon Hire Required