POSITION SUMMARY OF THE RESPIRATORY THERAPIST RT:

The primary purpose of this position is to provide direct Respiratory care to the residents to restore pulmonary function; alleviate pain; support life by planning and administering medically prescribed respiratory therapy. This is not a traveling position, the setting is in a skilled and long term nursing care facility.

QUALIFICATIONS OF THE RESPIRATORY THERAPIST RT:

This position requires a current valid Licensed Respiratory Therapist issued in the state where the person will practice.
Must have thorough knowledge of respiratory techniques, and practices.
Must have a thorough knowledge of the specialized procedures applied, and equipment used, in the assigned unit.
Must be able to demonstrate leadership and organizational skills, and provide positive attitude, and direction for the nursing staff.
Up-to-date physical assessment skills and comprehensive knowledge of respiratory principles are required.
Must be CPR certified.
Recent experience in geriatric or rehabilitative nursing and experience preferred.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE RESPIRATORY THERAPIST RT:

Meets the resident goals and needs and provides quality are by conducting pulmonary function tests; assessing and interpreting evaluations and test results; determining respiratory therapy treatment plans in consultation with physicians and by prescription.
Helps resident accomplish treatment plan and supports life by administering inhalants, operating mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, and aerosol generators.
Administers respiratory therapy treatments by performing bronchopulmonary drainage; assisting with breathing exercises; monitoring physiological responses to therapy, such as vital signs, arterial blood gasses, and blood chemistry changes; directing treatments given by nursing department.
Evaluates effects of respiratory therapy treatment plan by observing, noting, and evaluating patient’s progress, recommending adjustments and modifications.
Completes discharge planning by consulting with physicians, nurses, social workers, and other health care workers, contributing to patient care conferences.
Assures continuation of therapeutic plan following discharge by designing home exercise programs; instructing patients, families, and caregivers in home exercise programs; recommending and/or providing assistive equipment; recommending outpatient or home health follow-up programs.
Documents resident care services by charting in resident and department records.
Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.
Cooperate with other resident services when coordinating respiratory services to ensure that the resident’s total regimen of care is maintained.
Participate in facility surveys and inspections made by authorized government agencies as may be requested.
Manages conflict through effective problem-solving and communication skills.
Shows initiative and seeks to improve.
Addresses resident and family concerns.

RESPIRATORY THERAPIST RESPONSIBILITIES:

Meets patient’s goals and needs and provides quality care by conducting pulmonary function tests; assessing and interpreting evaluations and test results; determining respiratory therapy treatment plans in consultation with physicians and by prescription.
Helps patient accomplish treatment plan and supports life by administering inhalants, operating mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, and aerosol generators.
Administers respiratory therapy treatments and/or directing treatments given by aides, technicians, and assistants.
Evaluates effects of respiratory therapy treatment plan by observing, noting, and evaluating patient’s progress, recommending adjustments and modifications.
Completes discharge planning by consultin