Job Description

The Respiratory Therapist - Special Procedures delivers specialized diagnostic, therapeutic, and supportive respiratory care to adult and pediatric patients, with primary emphasis on assisting pulmonologists in advanced pulmonary procedures, performing pulmonary function testing, arterial blood gas analysis, and educating patients with chronic respiratory diseases. The role may also encompass duties of a Registered/Certified Respiratory Therapist as needed.

Responsibilities

Primary Specialized Duties:

• Assists pulmonologists during bronchoscopy (including EBUS), thoracentesis, chest tube insertion, and other invasive pulmonary procedures, ensuring patient safety, equipment readiness, monitoring, specimen collection, and post-procedure care.
• Performs comprehensive pulmonary function testing (including plethysmography, spirometry, and bedside PFTs) with accurate interpretation, quality control, and reporting.
• Performs arterial blood gas (ABG) sampling (including arterial puncture), analysis, interpretation, and reporting to assess oxygenation, ventilation, and acid-base status.
• Delivers targeted chronic disease education to patients (with emphasis on COPD management to reduce readmissions), including self-management strategies, medication use, and pulmonary rehabilitation principles.
• Conducts noninvasive cardiopulmonary monitoring and supports pulmonary rehabilitation activities.

Core Clinical & Operational Responsibilities:

• Performs and documents diagnostic, therapeutic, and emergency respiratory procedures safely and efficiently, within scope of practice and policy.
• Assesses patients, collects/evaluates clinical data, and develops/modifies individualized care plans based on evidence-based guidelines.
• Assembles, maintains, troubleshoots, and performs quality control on respiratory equipment; conducts low/high-level disinfection per manufacturer instructions.
• Provides effective patient and staff education; participates in departmental quality assurance, performance improvement, huddles, meetings, and call rotation.
• Works independently, exercises strong clinical judgment, and maintains clinical proficiency/certifications.
• Communicates clearly, collaborates with team members, delegates appropriately, manages conflict, and advocates for patient safety.

Scope of Practice Reference In accordance with the Alabama State Board of Respiratory Therapy (Administrative Code 780-X-4), respiratory therapists may administer pharmacologic, diagnostic, and therapeutic agents related to respiratory care (excluding IV medications except for line maintenance). This includes collection and analysis of blood gases.

DCH Standards:

• Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
• Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook
• Must adhere to the DCH Behavioral Standards including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self.
• Requires use of electronic mail, telephone and texting, fax and copier, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
• Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

WORKING CONDITIONS

WORK CONTEXT

• Environmental Conditions: Includes exposure to human fluids, disease, infection, lab chemicals and hazard materials and/or cleaning solutions. Requires wearing common protective or safety equipment.
• Psychological Conditions: Includes demonstrating leadership skills. Delegating to team members, addressing conflict, communicating with all types of personalities, and being responsible for outcomes/results.

PHYSICAL FACTORS

• Ability to tolerate prolonged periods of standing and walking.
• Ability to lift and carry up to a maximum of 50 pounds with frequent lifting and/or carrying objects weighing up to 10 pounds.
• Ability to reach reasonable distances in any direction.
• Ability to run in emergency situations.
• Must be able to move fingers in a coordinated manner.
• Must have ability to feel and perceive temperatures, texture, shape and size with fingertips.
• Physical presence onsite is essential.
• Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range.
• Able to perform the duties with or without reasonable accommodation.