Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)

Lancaster General Health

Summary

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY: Performs respiratory care services in accordance with department policies and procedures under the general direction of the shift supervisor and assistance from staff therapists. Patient care includes care to patients in the following age groups: neonatal (birth to 30 days), pediatric (30 days through 12 years), adolescent (13 through 18 years), adult (19 through 64 years), and geriatric (65 years and above).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Qualified individuals must have the ability (with or without reasonable accommodation) to perform the following duties:

• Administers physician-prescribed treatment/testing to patients in all clinical areas, except the Neonatal ICU, according to physician order and/or department policy. Administered services include therapeutic gases, aerosol and humidity therapy, sputum specimen collection, positive pressure breathing treatment (IPPB/CPAP), deep breathing exercises, airway care including tracheobronchial aspiration and other procedures, bedside measurement of vital capacity and peak flow rates, and postural drainage and percussion/vibration to aid in secretion removal.
• Performs physician-ordered arterial blood sample collection and subsequent analysis on an arterial blood gas analyzer for oxygen, carbon dioxide, pH, and oxygen saturation.
• Establishes, monitors and adjusts ventilator management of the critically ill patient requiring mechanical ventilation (excluding the NICU) following the direction of a physician and/or established physician protocol.
• Provides complete and accurate documentation according to department policies for performed services. Follows downtime procedures.

SECONDARY FUNCTIONS: The following duties are considered secondary to the primary duties listed above:

• Confers with physicians, Manager of Clinical Services, and charge therapist in regard to patient response to therapy and therapy effectiveness. Provides technical assistance to respiratory care assistants.
• Confers directly with patients in their provision of therapy and patient assessment, providing the patient with explanations and information as required.
• Performs related duties as required, including but not limited to: participating in CPR, providing technical assistance to respiratory care assistants, assisting in the orientation of new employees, participating in on-call, and providing clinical instruction to respiratory therapy students.
• Provides administration of topical anesthesia to patient having bronchoscopies performed. Assists physicians with study as required.
• Participates in the on-call responsibilities for this position as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Certification as a Respiratory Care Practitioner, or hold a temporary permit by the State Board of Medicine.
• Graduate of AMA approved Respiratory Technician program. Must be certified or eligible to be certified.
• One (1) year of arterial blood gas sampling.
• One (1) year of ventilator management.
• One (1) year of aerosol therapies, post-drainage.
• NBRC certification.
• CPR certification.

Disclaimer:This job description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job. It is intended to be a reflection of those principal job elements essential for recruitment and selection, for making fair job evaluations, and for establishing performance standards. The percentages of time spent performing job duties are estimates, and should not be considered absolute. The incumbent shall perform all other functions and/or be cross-trained as shall be determined at the sole discretion of management, who has the right to amend, modify, or terminate this job in part or in whole. Incumbent must be able to perform all job functions safely.

Disclaimer