Registered Respiratory Therapist
Company: SSM Health
Location: Saint Louis
Posted on: October 11, 2021
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Job Description:
The respiratory therapist is a healthcare professional employed
to perform all respiratory care diagnostic and therapeutic
procedures provided by the Department of Respiratory Care. They
should be energetic and motivated to support the success of a
growing service. The respiratory therapist should refer to
supervisory personnel in any doubtful situation. POSITION ACCOUNTABILITIES AND PERFORMANCE CRITERIA (% of
time) The following are essential job accountabilities: 1. Demonstrate ability to relate to coworkers in a professional
and respectful manner, in order to assure and promote a culture of
safety. 2. Performs all respiratory related therapeutic and diagnostic
maneuvers are carried out in accordance with established policies
and procedures of the department. This shall include: (50%) Criteria: A. Implements and assess the function of oxygen and therapeutic
gas. B. Ensure proper set-up and implementation of therapeutic and
diagnostic procedure. C. Provide aerosolized medication. D. Provide CPT and IPV. E. Setup and monitor ventilators in accordance with the
department and hospital policies. F. Communicates with peers and staff to develop and improve
inter- and intradepartmental services. Meet with appropriate
personnel to address and resolve problem issues. G. Performs CPR H. Perform diagnostic procedures including but not limited
to: 1. ABG analysis 2. Pulse Oximetry 3. Nitric Oxide pulmonary hypertension studies 3. The licensed respiratory therapist will ensure that each
patient’s status is assessed to determine the patient’s care needs
and to ensure patient’s needs are reassessed in response to
treatment and care provided. Criteria: Assess and reassess patients for therapy which includes but is
not limited to: A. Vital signs before and after therapy. B. Breath sounds before and after therapy. C. Checking for physician orders for therapy. D. Pre and post assessment for therapy tolerance and
response. E. Oxygen requirements. F. Sputum color, viscosity and quantity. G. Other patient specific observations as
needed. 4. Special duties: Ability to interact with physicians and
nurses. May work in an intensive care unit area. This may
include: (25%) Criteria:
A. Responsible to respond to critical areas (e.g. ER, OR,
Code). B. Perform routine checks on Life Support Unit. C. Assist with bronchoscopy procedure. D. Assist with minor cardiopulmonary invasive or surgical
procedures. E. Perform tracheotomy care. F. Perform bedside studies including: f/vt, shunt studies,
ventilator mechanics dead space, compliance, O2 content, and
metabolic cart studies. G. Perform bedside pulmonary function procedures. H. Interpretation of complex lab data. I. Provide input in decisions involving patient care on and off
life support systems. J. Provide input on patient care via physician
consultations. K. Display qualities of an independent thinker through the
performance of everyday job duties. L. Assist with the prevention of ventilator associated pneumonia
as indicated by the latest evidence based literature. 5. Perform all other aspects of Respiratory Care in accordance
with hospital policies and procedures. (5%) Criteria: A. Attends monthly department meetings, specialty meetings,
in-services, and any other meetings as required. B. Assure all time and attendance exceptions are properly
recorded in the exceptions book. C. Communicates with physicians in regard to therapies ordered
and therapeutic goals. The following job accountabilities may be reassigned: 6. Performs other duties as required. (5%) Criteria: A. Cleaning, disinfecting and/or sterilization of all reusable
of respiratory and bronchoscopy equipment. B. Routine mechanical maintenance of respiratory equipment. C. Maintain neat and clean work and storage areas. D. Maintain neat and accurate records. E. Answer phone in a professional and timely manner. 7. Safety/Infection Control: Practices according to safety and
infection control policies. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) 5% Criteria A. Practices universal precautions and disposes of hazardous
wastes per established guidelines. B. Maintains a safe, clean, comfortable and therapeutic
environment for patients/families/employees in accordance with
hospital standards. 1. Maintains clutter free environment. 2. Keeps conversations and background noise to a minimum. 3. Adheres to dress code. C. Reports risk management concerns. D. Assumes responsibility for completing all annual mandatory
requirements: 1. Safety/Fire 2. Blood Borne Pathogen 3. Hazardous Communication 4. TB 5. Department Specific 6. Age Appropriate Care (for clinical staff only) 7. BLS/ACLS per recertification guidelines of AHA 8. Service: Provides service excellence to the customers of
Saint Louis University Hospital by delivering timely, high quality
care in a courteous, and respectful manner. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) 10%
Criteria: A. Explain therapy to the patient prior to initiation. B. Being courteous to the patient, their family, visitors and
co-workers. C. Respects patients’ rights. D. Practice commitment of patient confidentiality. 8. Quality Improvement (QI): Incorporates Quality
Assessment into one’s daily work. 5%
Criteria: A. Assisting with collection of data for reporting. B. Completes paperwork in a timely fashion. 1. Complete charting/charging by the end of the assigned
shift. 2. Review charting for errors before electronically signing. 3. Report any unresolved charting/charging discrepancies to the
immediate supervisor for resolution. C. Follow policies and procedures when administering care. D. Report quality issues to management for review. 9. Age Appropriate Care: Provides age-appropriate care
to: ____Infant ___ Child __X__
Adolescent
___X__
Adult
___X__ Geriatric
Criteria: A. Demonstrates knowledge and skills of normal growth &
development necessary to provide services to the age of the patient
served by the department. B. Demonstrates ability to assess and interpret age specific
data to identify patient needs. C. Utilizes communication skills necessary to interpret age
specific responses to service and interaction. D. Involves family or significant other in decision making
related to services provided. E. Demonstrates ability to provide service needed for the age
groups routinely served by the department assigned. F. Position specific: Able to titrate dosages and applications
to fit the needs of the various growth and development stages.
Recognizing that each stage requires different considerations and
methods. 10. Specialized Care: Provides specialized care to patients at
high risk for injury. (1, 2, 4, 5, 8) (include if
appropriate) <1% Criteria A. Restraint Care 1. Initiates/evaluates alternatives to restraint prior to
application. 2. Applies restraints consistent with the approved
procedure. 3. Monitors and assesses patient’s response throughout the
restraint period at the appropriate intervals. B. Pain Management (licensed personnel) 1. Assess patient for presence of pain on admission and during
assessments/reassessments. 2. Incorporates patient’s cultural/spiritual beliefs regarding
pain into pain management plan. 3.Implement pain management techniques. Focus on prevention
rather than treatment. 4. Include patient and/or family members in developing a pain
management plans. 5. Consider other methods of pain control when developing plan
of care: massage, repositioning, immobilization, and music
therapy. C. Abuse Assessment 1. Is aware of abuse recognition criteria and incorporates it
into assessments. 2. Reports signs of possible abuse/neglect to the physician &
Risk Management, and recommends appropriate consultations
(psychiatric, Social Work) for evaluation. DISCLAIMER: Performs other related duties as assigned or
requested. Rationale for Essential Functions 1. The performance of this function is the reason the job
exists. 2. There are limited employees among whom the performance of
this function can be distributed. 3. This function occupies a great deal of the employee’s
time. 4. This function is highly specialized. Employees are hired for
the skill/ability to perform this function. 5. Failure to perform this function may have serious
consequences. 6. The function was performed by past employees, and is
performed by current employees. 7. Exposure to blood borne pathogens that require the use of
protective equipment. 8. Exposure to tuberculosis that requires the use of protective
equipment. Work requires the knowledge and skills necessary to provide
direct patient care appropriate to patient population of
specialty: Job Specifications MINIMUM EDUCATION: Graduate of an AMA approved school
Respiratory Therapy preferred. MINIMUM EXPERIENCE: Leadership skills are desirable and should
be demonstrated. REQUIRED REGISTRY OR LICENSE: Registered with the N.B.R.C
Licensed in the state of Missouri required. INDEPENDENT ACTION: Must demonstrate the ability to provide high
quality therapy skills with moderate supervision and to make
independent decisions in critical and non-critical care areas.
Individuals must be energetic and motivated to support the success
of a growing service. PRESSURE OF WORK: Capable of withstanding long hours of walking
and standing. Capable of tolerating the sights and sounds and odors
associated with the care of the sick and dying patients. Capable of
responding quickly in emergencies. Capable of lifting moderate
weights. Capable of handling hazards due to exposure to inflammable
and explosive gases. WORKING CONDITIONS: May be exposed to infectious and contagious
diseases. Regularly exposed to the risk of blood borne diseases.
Exposed to hazardous anesthetic agents, body fluids, and wastes.
Subjected to electrical and radiant energy hazards. Exposure to
unpleasant patient or unit elements. Contact with patients under a
wide variety of circumstances. May be exposed to unpleasant
elements (accidents, injuries and illness). Subject to varying and
unpredictable situations. May be required to handle emergency or
crisis situations. Subjected to irregular hours. Exposed to chemicals such as isopropyl alcohol, Aerosol and
cleaning solutions which are used in decontaminating equipment. PROTECTIVE REQUIREMENTS: CONTACT WITH OTHERS: EQUIPMENT KNOWLEDGE: Must be familiar with equipment used for
therapy and diagnostic procedures. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: VISION REQUIREMENTS: Ability to adjust vision for varying
degrees of room light.
Employee___________________________________________Date____________
Supervisor__________________________________________Date_____________ Department Director __________________________________Date
_____________
Administration________________________________________Date_____________ The above statements are intended to describe the general nature
and level of work being performed. They are not to be construed, as
an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills
required of personnel so classified. An individual working in their
job classification must also perform specific tasks upon request by
supervisor personnel. Furthermore, the duties and responsibilities
for this job classification are subject to change at the discretion
of the medical center.
Keywords: SSM Health, St. Louis , Registered Respiratory Therapist, Other , Saint Louis, Missouri
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