L752, REG RESPIRATORY THERAPIST - IP RT

Full-time - Entry Level

Lincoln, IL

Hospitals

About the position

The position involves initiating, maintaining, and discontinuing basic and intensive respiratory therapy techniques and equipment in the administration of prescribed respiratory care procedures to patients with cardiopulmonary disorders. The role requires a comprehensive understanding of respiratory care and the ability to work with patients of all ages and conditions, including those in intensive care, neonatal, and pediatric settings.

Responsibilities

• Prepares and tests respiratory therapy equipment for proper and safe operation.
• Checks equipment in use and on units for proper operations and routine service.
• Reports malfunctioning equipment to manager.
• Receives, documents, and executes physicians' orders relating to respiratory therapy protocol.
• Interprets and evaluates physician orders and charts that pertain to respiratory care.
• Identifies possible contraindications to medications, treatments, and related hazards with their use.
• Measures and administers prescribed medications, such as oxygen and aerosolized medications, to patients.
• Administers procedures and therapies as needed.
• Assesses patients' conditions and responses to respiratory therapy.
• Recognizes and treats adverse reactions and emergency situations arising during treatment.
• Recognizes and responds to signs of cardiopulmonary arrest and/or failure and life-threatening arrhythmias during EKGs.
• Assists in performing and/or initiating CPR procedures as necessary.
• Records procedures, patient responses, and medication administration in compliance with departmental documentation requirements.
• Processes routine and stat hospital EKGs and prepares them for interpreting physician(s).
• Performs nasal and tracheal suctioning of patients and obtains tracheal secretions for cultures.
• Maintains, monitors, and provides respiratory care to patients on continuous mechanical ventilators.
• Provides respiratory care to ICU patients, including lung auscultation, and recommends respiratory care procedures as patient condition warrants.
• Alerts appropriate staff of any changes in patient condition.
• Monitors and cares for patients with artificial airways and endotracheal cuffs.
• Instructs patients, families, and other hospital personnel in the proper use of respiratory therapy equipment and associated procedures and techniques.
• Provides cardiopulmonary services in the emergency department.
• Performs patient assessment and treatment according to emergency department/respiratory care protocol.
• Makes recommendations for changes and improvements in hospital equipment and procedures to maintain best practice.
• Participates in departmental or multidisciplinary teams related to clinical quality, safety, education, best practice, patient satisfaction, or process improvement.

Requirements

• Graduate of approved Respiratory Therapy Program.
• Registered by the National Board for Respiratory Care required.
• Possesses a valid and active Illinois Respiratory Care Practitioner license.
• Healthcare Provider or Instructor BLS certification required within 30 days of hire.
• ACLS and NRP provider or instructor certifications required within 1 year of hire.