About the position
The Respiratory Therapist position at Noland Hospital Dothan involves administering respiratory therapy care and life support to patients suffering from deficiencies and abnormalities of the cardiopulmonary system. This role operates under the supervision of a physician and follows prescribed treatment plans. The therapist is responsible for organizing their work schedule and ensuring that respiratory care is provided to inpatients as ordered by physicians. This includes taking verbal orders, consulting with physicians in case of adverse reactions, and delivering various respiratory treatments such as chest physiotherapy (CPT) and breathing exercises. In addition to direct patient care, the Respiratory Therapist performs critical procedures including sputum induction, nasotracheal suctioning, endotracheal suctioning, and tracheostomy care. They are also tasked with monitoring patients on continuous ventilation, ensuring that all actions align with physician orders and established procedures. The role requires proficiency in performing pre and post-analytical phases of blood gas procedures, reading prescriptions, measuring arterial blood gases, and assessing patient conditions to determine the necessary treatment requirements. The therapist must determine the most suitable methods for administering inhalants, set up and operate various respiratory devices, and monitor patients' physiological responses to therapy. This includes adjusting equipment to optimize treatment outcomes and ensuring that all respiratory therapy equipment is functioning safely and efficiently. The therapist also plays a vital role in educating and demonstrating respiratory care procedures to trainees and other healthcare personnel, while maintaining accurate documentation in patients' medical records. Additionally, they assist in the transport of critically ill patients for diagnostic testing, ensuring that all safety and care protocols are followed.
Responsibilities
- Organizes work schedule and schedules respiratory care for inpatients as ordered.
- Takes verbal orders from physicians regarding respiratory therapy treatment.
- Consults with physician in event of adverse reactions.
- Delivers CPT and breathing exercises.
- Performs sputum induction, NT suction, endotracheal suction, tracheostomy care, and monitors patients on continuous ventilation as prescribed by physician's orders according to established procedures.
- Performs pre and post analytical phases of the I-STAT blood gas procedures.
- Reads prescription, measures arterial blood gases, and reviews patient information to assess patient condition and determine requirements for treatment, such as type and duration of therapy, and medication and dosages.
- Determines most suitable method of administering inhalants, precautions to be observed, and modifications which may be needed that will be compatible with physician's orders.
- Sets up and operates devices, such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration per apparatus, environmental control systems, and aerosol generators.
- Operates equipment to ensure specified parameters of treatment, such as volume, gas concentration, humidity, and temperature, and to administer medicinal gases and aerosol drugs to patients.
- Monitors patient's physiological responses to therapy, such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, and blood chemistry changes.
- Observes equipment function and adjusts equipment to obtain optimum results to therapy.
- Inspects, tests, and cleans respiratory therapy equipment to ensure equipment is functioning safely and efficiently.
- Orders repairs when needed.
- Maintains proper working order of I-STAT machine by performing QC as required and reporting all errors or failures to supervisor.
- Acts in conjunction with supervisors to provide technical and clinical consultation to physicians, nurses, students, and Respiratory Therapy staff.
- Demonstrates respiratory care procedures to trainees and other health care personnel.
- Documents in patient's medical record pertinent identification and therapy information.
- Assists in transport of critically ill patients for diagnostic testing.
Requirements
- Graduate of an American Medical Association approved Respiratory Therapist Program.
- CRT/RRT credentialed by the National Board of Respiratory Care.
- Current Alabama Respiratory Therapy license.
- Minimum of two (2) years experience preferred.
