Respiratory Therapist, Respiratory, Per Diem, Days, Nights, Weekends, Holidays

• Systematically gathers and evaluates relevant information and data from the patient interview and/or all the patient information sources.
• Develops an appropriate care plan for patients based upon the systematic information gathering and analysis.
• Identifies variations from expected findings and understands the significance for such variations.
• Takes appropriate actions when variations are identified.
• Assesses the patient’s learning needs, identifies learning style and barriers to learning and assesses the patient’s readiness to learn.
• Identifies situations when it is appropriate to involve the family and/or significant other and /or friends in patient’s education.
• Plans for and provides patient teaching.
• Evaluates the patient’s understanding of his or her condition, treatment, and/or prognosis.
• Informs the patient of his or her plan of care and/or discharge plan and follow up instructions
• Evaluates and validates the effectiveness of the patient teaching.
• Prepares the patient to accept a level of responsibility for his or her own care.
• Coordinates care with other healthcare providers.
• When appropriate, delegates to other healthcare providers.
• Assesses and reassesses the patient’s condition, status and progress.
• Prioritizes, reprioritizes, and modifies the plan of care based upon patient assessment and patient condition.
• Documents the implementation of the plan of care and any adverse and/or unexpected events or outcomes.
• Measures and administers the correct medication dosage per physicians order.
• Administers respiratory therapy treatments and oxygen therapy. 
• Understands the purpose and possible side effects associated with respiratory therapy treatments.
• Obtains ABG's per hospital policy.
• Performs Pulse Oximetry and ensures accurate results.
• Performs Pulmonary Function following ATS Standards.
• Performs EKGs and ensures quality recordings. 
• Assists with flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy.
• Sets up mechanical ventilators, including BIPAP and CPAP Units and selects the correct patient parameters.
• Assesses mechanical ventilators and BIPAP and CPAP functioning to ensure safe operation.
• Assesses patient status and uses information to recommend changes in patient plan of care.
• Assesses patient cardio-pulmonary status and uses data to recommend changes to patients plan of care.
• Provides instruction on proper use of cardiopulmonary medication and equipment.
• Distributes age and cultural specific patient education materials based on educational needs.
• Responsible for implementing components of the VAP bundle consistently and per protocol. Responsible for alerting the Nurse Manager/Director/Nursing Supervisor if there is a deviation from VAP bundle by Attending MD for case review and follow up as indication.

• Graduate of a CoARC approved Respiratory Therapy program. 
• Credentialed as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (R.R.T.) by the National Board for Respiratory Care (or eligible).

• Prior experience required.

• Licensed as a Respiratory Therapist by the State of Massachusetts.
• ACLS required or obtained within 6 months of hire.
• NRP required or obtained within 6 months of hire.
• PALS required or obtained within 6 months of hire.

Minimum Skills

• Basic computer skills required.