Respiratory Therapist – Per Diem

Role Overview

• Works as part of a team to ensure optimal patient care.
• Reviews patients electronic medical record for appropriate history, reason for admission, pertinent laboratory/radiological data, current orders.
• Administers aerosolized medications.
• Draws and analyzes Arterial Blood Gases. Reports Critical Values per hospital policy.
• Consults with physician staff concerning the most efficacious forms of therapy and makes recommendations to enhance patient care (such as type, method, duration of therapy, suggested medications/dosages) compatible with physician orders and communicates these effectively with appropriate members of the healthcare team.
• Monitors patient’s physiological responses to therapy (such as vital signs, arterial blood gases), and consults with physician if adverse reactions occur.
• Provides emergency care including assisting with intubation, Rapid Response Team, High Risk Delivery and Code Team.
• Inspects, tests, cleans, and maintains respiratory therapy equipment as per department policy.
• Demonstrates and instructs respiratory care procedures to new staff, other healthcare personnel, patients, and patient’s families.
• Provides clinical and general guidance to new, agency, per-diem, and student therapy personnel.
• Provides direct supervision for respiratory therapy students.
• Sets up and operates devices such as basic oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilators, CPAP/Bi-level support, NIPPV, high flow oxygen therapy in accordance with department policy and procedures.
• Maintains all necessary patient and department records on the electronic medical record and medical administration record. Follows hospital policy/procedure regarding patient medication administration.
• Participates in departmental quality assurance programs.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of current techniques, developments, and issues in respiratory care through attendance at educational meetings, lectures, and conferences.
• Provides verbal reports including diagnosis, significant past medical history, reason(s) for admission, treatment goals and plans, patient’s response to treatment, and suggestions to optimize patient’s treatment plan.
• Sets up and operates devices such as a body plethysmograph in accordance with department policy and procedures.

Requirements

• Associate of Science in Respiratory Care.
• Current Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential issued by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
• Current Massachusetts State Respiratory Care License.
• Current Basic Life Support Certification.
• Current Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification (required within 3 months of employment).
• Current Neonatal Resuscitation Provider certification (required within 3 months of employment).
• Current Pediatric Advanced Life Support certification (required within 3 months of employment).
• Ability to assess patients and make appropriate therapeutic recommendations along the continuum of care from admission to discharge including all aspects of respiratory care from floor therapies to mechanical ventilation and blood gas interpretation.
• Ability to read, write and speak clearly in English.

Benefits

• This position may have a signing bonus available a member of the Recruitment Team will confirm eligibility during the interview process