Job Description

Performs all modalities of respiratory therapy, including manipulative diagnostic, therapeutic procedures, and maintains records for patients with abnormal respiratory conditions, all in accordance with established procedures.

Responsibilities:

• Administers, in accordance with standardized methods and safety practices, various therapy treatments such as therapeutic gases; humidification and aerosol therapy; breathing systems for monitoring environmental controls; breathing exercises, broncho-pulmonary drainage techniques to patients of all ages (neonatal, pediatric, adolescent, adult, geriatric).
• Performs required diagnostic and therapeutic procedures using manual techniques or mechanical ventilators to adult, pediatric, and neonatal patients.
• Administers medications, as prescribed by attending physician, appropriate for respiratory therapy treatment.
• Charts all medications and treatments given; notates patient’s reactions; maintains departmental patient’s records of diagnostic or therapy treatments, medications and schedules.
• Attends and participates in emergency (code) situations and participates in on-going in-service programs.
• Monitors patients on mechanical ventilation daily (ICU, NICU) changes, ventilation tubing per departmental protocol, consults with attending physicians regarding change in procedures, equipment, medications or therapeutic cases.
• Makes frequent rounds to monitor patients on oxygen therapy, documenting at least once per shift.
• Assists physicians/nurses with intubation, blood drawing, and other procedures, as needed.
• Transcribes physician orders to therapy forms; consults and advises physicians concerning available therapy modes.
• Checks records, supplies and stock daily; maintains clean/sterile equipment; checks working conditions or equipment to insure safe usage.
• May participate in the clinical instruction of new respiratory practitioners and respiratory students, as assigned.
• Participates in the Risk Management and Infection Control programs of the department and Hospital.

Qualifications:

• Associates degree. Bachelor’s degree preferred
• IL Respiratory Therapist license is required
• CRT or RRT Certification Required
• CPR and ACLS required. NRP preferred
• CRT or RRT certifications required