Respiratory Therapist

Major Responsibilities:

• Performs initial set-up and follow-up assessments and identifies contraindications to therapy and/or procedures ordered, making therapy recommendations to the ordering physician to improve health outcomes. Provides respiratory care treatments per physician order such as positive airway pressure therapy, mechanical ventilation, positive end expiratory pressure breathing, aerosol therapy, medical gas administration, pulmonary drainage procedures, in-exsufflation therapy, oximetry, suction therapy, apnea monitoring, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation within the home setting.

• Performs initial set-up and follow-up assessments and identifies contraindications to therapy and/or procedures ordered, making therapy recommendations to the ordering physician to improve health outcomes. Provides respiratory care treatments per physician order such as positive airway pressure therapy, mechanical ventilation, positive end expiratory pressure breathing, aerosol therapy, medical gas administration, pulmonary drainage procedures, in-exsufflation therapy, oximetry, suction therapy, apnea monitoring, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation within the home setting.

• Responsible for education on mechanical ventilation management, airway management, airway clearance techniques, therapeutic gas and aerosol administration, positive airway pressure therapy, in-exsufflation therapy, oximetry, suction therapy, and apnea monitoring for patients, referrals, caregivers, and family members. Provides infection control through cleaning, maintaining, and ensuring proper function of equipment, troubleshooting problems as necessary and identifying the need for service and/or repair.

• Responsible for providing appropriate respiratory therapy based upon review and assessment of the patient medical record results related to pulmonary diagnostics, blood gases, chest radiograph, sleep study results, hemodynamic values, laboratory values, blood gases, and electrolytes for prescribed therapy type. Reviews patient’s medical record to obtain necessary clinical information including patient history, lab results, and physician orders. Obtains updated medical history from patients at time of set-up or follow-up related to therapy prescribed. Assesses and monitors patient’s cardiopulmonary status for adverse reactions to prescribed therapy. Acts as a resource for referrals on home respiratory therapy equipment, services, and procedures. Communicates with referral source and/or ordering prescriber on potential changes with the patient care plan.

• Responsible to maintain knowledge and competency of current and new respiratory equipment and therapy types. Required to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient’s status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient’s requirements relative to his/her/they age specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the departments policies and procedures.

• Communicates with ordering provider to receive, transcribe, and direct the implementation of prescribed orders and when necessary seeks revision of order from ordering provider. Documents patient information, diagnosis, verbal order, and objectives on the agency's patient electronic medical record including diagnosis, plan of care, and discharge goals. Monitors and documents frequency of follow-up visits and changes in patient status.

• Communicates with appropriate agency staff in regard to patient discharge planning when necessary.

• Responsible for completing all necessary documentation required by the agency and existing regulations, standards, and/or guidelines to meet continued coverage criteria by the appropriate payor.

License/Registration/Certification:

Professional Respiratory Therapist license as appropriate to requirements of State practiced in, may require multiple state licensure to support virtual care across the enterprise. Respiratory Therapist certification (RRT) or (CRT) issued by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC), and Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification issued by the American Heart Association needs to be obtained within 6 months of hire and remain active throughout employment. State specific Drivers License.

Issued by (Governing Body): State specific Respiratory Therapy Licensing Board. Respiratory therapist certification by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). American Heart Association certification for Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers. State specific department of motor vehicles in state of employment.

Level of Education: Associates Degree or higher

Field of Study: Respiratory Therapy

Years of Experience: Two Years – Practice as a respiratory care practitioner within a hospital or home care as a student or certified, credentialed licensed respiratory therapist.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Possesses strong interpersonal and patient/customer service skills to work effectively with physicians, staff members & patients.
• Strong communication and client relationship skills necessary to develop referring relationships with new customers and maintain strong relationships with existing referral sources.
• Proficient computer skills including ability to use word processing, spreadsheets and many applications software.
• Must possess and provide proof of a valid state issued driver license and a registered, functional car with adequate insurance coverage.
• Must be able to perform physical tasks to provide respiratory care. Physical tasks involve reaching above the shoulders, sitting, standing, walking, lifting, bending, squatting, kneeling, twisting, climbing, and carrying up to 50 pounds routinely and at various times throughout the workday. May need to lift up to 85 pounds on occasion.
• Position requires travel, therefore exposure to road and weather hazards are possible. May require travel to private residences that may not be accessible to people with disabilities.
• Position requires availability to perform tasks in the patients home, clinic sites, and hospital settings when needed. On-call rotation is required for weekends, holidays, and after normal business hours.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.