Job Description

• Under the supervision of the Director of Respiratory Therapy sets up and operates various types of respiratory care equipment to be utilized in the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory disease and/or cardiac disease. When qualified by experience and trained may perform the duties of an RRT. NICU as applicable.

POSITION SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Reports To:
• Reports to Director and manager of Cardiopulmonary
• Supervises:
• Certificate program graduate.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum Education
• None
• Minimum Work Experience
• None
• Required Licenses/Certifications
• Texas State license as a Respiratory Care Practitioner. Effective 07/18/2017, National Board Respiratory Care as a Registered Respiratory Therapist required. Appropriate CPR Certification.
• Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
• None
• Preferred Qualification
• Experience: One year including NICU experience.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Requires a high degree of concentration in order to work in an acute care environment maintaining patient safety, productivity and a positive image with patient, family and co-workers. Constant walking, lifting and manipulating of equipment requiring strength to move when occupied. Takes constructive criticism and uses it as a tool for growth and development of needed skills. May be exposed to communicable diseases and may be exposed to combative and/or irrational patients.

QUALITY BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS

Generally and in all job specific duties: Uses critical thinking skills to determine evidence based solutions. Systematically gathers and reviews pertinent information to prevent errors (PDCA -- Plan, Do, Check, Act). Pursues individual or team learning and growth opportunities to continually build skills. Understands and abides by all safety regulations.

SERVICE EXCELLENCE BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS

• Generally and in all job specific duties: Maintains patient confidentiality. Rounds regularly with patients, direct reports and/or customers. Uses telephone and elevator etiquette. Acts as an employee ambassador. Committed to know hospital service lines and shows pride in our organization. Uses AIDET when dealing with internal or external customers.

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS

• Generally and in all job specific duties: Takes responsibility for solving problems. Treats company resources responsibly. Performs work functions timely and accurately. Respects our environment; keeps public areas neat and clean and returns supplies to the appropriate areas.

PEOPLE BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS

Generally and in all job specific duties: Supports the team through good attendance. Maintains a professional appearance. Creates a positive team environment; flexible and supportive setting an example of cooperation. Uses meaningful communication; provides honest feedback that is valuable and not critical and discourages negative talk and gossip. Respect co-workers.

JOB SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS

1. Demonstrates an understanding of and adherence to the HMHD Compliance Plan.
2. Conduct reflects HMHD's values and a commitment to HMHD's Code of Conduct.
3. Attends the required corporate integrity and compliance training and education programs.
4. Demonstrates proficiency in understanding the materials presented during the corporate integrity and compliance training and education program.
5. Complies with all HIPAA standards.
6. Performs any and/or all of the duties of the CRT as required.
7. Explains purpose and procedure of treatments, tests and equipment to the patient.
8. Is responsible for coordination with the charge therapist emergency coverage when the need arises.
9. Consults with and advises staff technicians regarding the proper use of equipment, management of difficult patients.
10. Assists in review of therapeutic and diagnostic lab policies and procedures. Recommends new policies and procedures or revision of existing ones as needed.
11. Takes an active role in in-service education of the technicians as well as the orientation of nursing personnel to Respiratory Therapy.
12. Conducts physician prescribed treatments of a routine nature operating various modalities in order to administer prescribed medicinal vapors and gases, humidity, and varied oxygen concentrations to the respiratory system.
13. Able to perform all therapy and procedures as deemed in Policy and Procedure manuals.
14. Must be able to determine the acid base balance efficiency of ventilation, and metabolism of the respiratory system.
15. Performs therapeutic and diagnostic lab duties along with other duties
16. Sets up, operates, and monitors ventilators when patient respiratory system is incapable of adequate spontaneous ventilation.
17. Assists in maintaining an appropriate inventory of all necessary therapeutic and diagnostic equipment and supplies.
18. Ensures the adequate maintenance of ventilation and assists with chest compressions during cardio-pulmonary resuscitation.
19. Performs, processes, and reports EKG's in HeartStation appropriately and consistently.
20. Records all pertinent information of treatments, and patient response to treatments, on respiratory care records within the HIM system.
21. Makes regular rounds, checking patient's oxygen equipment, as well as spot checking other respiratory therapy equipment on a timely basis.
22. Is responsible for coordination with the charge therapist coverage when the need arises.
23. Helps to maintain a clean, neat and orderly condition in department and surroundings.
24. Processes and assures all equipment cleaned and stored properly for timely use when needed.
25. Consistently reports to work at the scheduled time and is ready to work at the start of the assigned shift.
26. Does not have excessive call-ins.
27. Attends to personal matters outside of work time to avoid productivity problems or conflicts.
28. Does not excessively get on the internet or personal phone calls.
29. Consistently maintains a neat, professional appearance.
30. Aware of and assists with QI program within the department.
31. Has a thorough understanding of Hospital Fire, Safety and Disaster plans.
32. Assists in maintaining equipment in good repair. Tags and notifies director when equipment fails.
33. Willing to consult (and be consulted) with other staff and physicians in the proper performance and interpretation of tests or procedures.
34. Strives to recognize and evaluate personal strengths and weaknesses; handles personal and professional frustrations appropriately.
35. Consistently performs duties and responsibilities in a timely manner with minimal direct supervision required.
36. Shows good judgment in performance of job duties by following Cardiopulmonary and hospital policy and procedures.
37. Responds to changes in work schedule as required, including holiday and weekend coverage.
38. Identifies possible problems and provides constructive criticism and ideas for solutions to the nursing staff and/or director to help keep a positive environment.
39. Gets with manager or director to assure competency on all equipment. If not confident finds time to get with peer to assure competency.
40. Inspires confidence from co-workers and other departments by performing and communicating in a highly professional manner at all times.
41. Helps maintain and stock supplies for the department.
42. Demonstrates the ability to recognize and set priorities.
43. Consistently uses tact and maintains a professional attitude when dealing with patients, staff, and other employees.
44. Always maintains confidentiality in regard to patient information. Knowledgeable about HIPAA rules and regulations.
45. Consistently organizes and executes tasks and duties to maintain optimal productivity.
46. Consistently has Vocera reporting done prior to the oncoming shift arriving.
47. Consistently projects the hospital's positive, care image in all patients, business and community interactions.
48. Maintains diagnostic test log sheets and insures that patient information is entered into the department's information system.
49. Consistently calls team members when finished with assignments to see if they need help before taking a break.
50. Reports treatments to be conducted and condition of patients to relief personnel.
51. Attends conferences, in-services and classes to keep current with trends in Respiratory Therapy.
52. Actively participates in cardiopulmonary meetings and huddles for consistent department communication.
53. Performs arterial blood draw following policies and procedures.
54. Accurately analyzes and results blood gas samples.

1. Assist with recording of intake and output
2. Performs vital signs per protocol- blood pressure, temperature, pulse, respirations.
3. Connect leads, blood pressure (NIBP) and pulse oximeter. Able to weigh patients standing, bed and/or chair scales
4. Apply ice-pack/warm compress as needed
5. Transfer/transport/ turn patients.
6. Assists nurse by holding patients for nurse to give bath and/or clean patient.
7. Assist with patient transfers, order entry, etc. as needed
8. Helps without being asked to get patients to the room for triage.
9. Consistently helps take care of patients for quick patient turn around and great customer service.
10. Readily collects and labels blood specimens in the presence of the patient and delivers to the lab in a timely manner. Assists in taking urine and stool samples to the lab.
11. Accurately performs glucometer testing and cleans machine after use.
12. Assures glucometer controls are run when appropriate.

1. Making shift assignments, and delegate as necessary.
2. Low-census or sending home early as needed. As well as calling for additional staffing as necessary.
3. Over seeing daily activity of the staff on your shift (including EKG techs)
4. Assists Director with merit evaluations as well as disciplinary problem documentation
5. Supports staff as well as other departments with any problems or issues that arise and report to director when necessary.
6. Round monthly with co-workers and report to director
7. Oversee maintenance of ABG machines.
8. Assists with planning, coordination and supervision of the activities of technical staff during the assigned shift.