PERFORMANCE PLANNING:

The Registered Respiratory Therapist or Certified Respiratory Therapist provides services to adult through neonatal patients.  They provide general respiratory therapy, critical care, and limited diagnostics.  Therapists are expected to work and respond to all areas of the hospital.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES / ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Performs and accurately records technical procedures safely, effectively, efficiently, and within scope of policy
2. Gives rationale for actions, decisions, and clinical care, based on scientific principles, clinical practice guidelines, or successful experience
3. Patient care procedures include but not limited to the following:

Oxygen/Aerosol Therapy

Bronchial Hygiene

Postural Drainage and Percussion

Intermittent Positive Pressure Breathing, VPEP, PEP, PAP

Intrapulmonary Percussive Ventilation

Cough Assist

Aerosolized Medications

Handheld Nebulizer

Metered Dose Inhaler

Dry Powder Inhaler

Adult/Pediatric/Neonatal Critical Care

CPAP/BiPAP

Mechanical ventilation including transport

Blood collection and analysis

Emergency tracheostomy tube replacement

Bedside Pulmonary Function Testing

Demonstrate leadership skills

Requires decision making that will affect others

Responsible to achieve outcomes

Must be able to communicate clearly and accurately

Ability to delegate to team members and students

Must be able to receive delegation

Address conflict and stressful situation

Communicate with different personalities and engage in face-to-face discussion

Dealing with unpleasant or verbally/physically aggressive personalities

Must be able to use electronic mail, telephone and texting

Must be able to work in groups

Must be able to perform structured and unstructured work

Participates in on call rotation as needed for patient care

Must be meet time pressure and timelines

Includes possible exposure to human body fluids, disease, infection, lab chemicals and hazardous materials and/or cleaning solutions

Requires wearing of common protective and safety equipment such as gloves, safety glasses, mask, gowns, etc.

Advocate for and participant in patient safety

Perform Low/High Level Disinfection as per manufacturer’s recommendation (IFU)

Performs and accurately records technical procedures safely, effectively, efficiently, and within scope of policy

Accountability related to meeting/exceeding department goals, DCH Values, DCH Mission and Vision

DCH Standards:

Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.

Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook

Must adhere to the DCH Behavioral Standards including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self.

• Performs essential job functions in a manner that ensures the safety of patients, visitors and employees.
• Identifies and reduces unsafe practices that may result in harm to patients, visitors and employees.
• Recognizes and takes appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards to promote safety for patients, visitors and employees.
• Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
• Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
• All other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

1.  Current Alabama Respiratory Care licensure. 

2.  Holds active credential of Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) or Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) or will

     be credentialed within one year of graduation.

3.  Associate degree in respiratory therapy, bachelor’s degree preferred, or holds a certificate in Respiratory   

     Therapy

4.  Membership in appropriate professional organization (i.e. American Association for Respiratory Care, Alabama

     Society for Respiratory Care) is strongly encouraged

5.  BCLS provider

6.  PALS preferred for staff working in the Emergency Department.

7.  Must be able to read, write legibly, speak and comprehend English.

8.  ACLS within one year of employment and NRP if NICU trained

9.  Responsible for obtaining needed continuing education for licensure

WORKING CONDITIONS:

WORK CONTEXT

Environmental Conditions: Includes exposure to human fluids, disease, infection, lab chemicals and hazard materials and/or cleaning solutions.  Requires wearing common protective or safety equipment.

Psychological Conditions: Includes demonstrating leadership skills. Delegating to team members, addressing conflict, communicating with all types of personalities, and being responsible for outcomes/results.

PHYSICAL FACTORS

Ability to tolerate prolonged periods of standing and walking.

Ability to lift and carry up to a maximum of 50 pounds with frequent lifting and/or carrying objects weighing up to 10 pounds. 

Ability to reach reasonable distances in any direction. 

Ability to run in emergency situations. 

Must be able to move fingers in a coordinated manner. 

Must have ability to feel and perceive temperatures, texture, shape and size with fingertips.   

Physical presence onsite is essential. 

Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range. 

Able to perform the duties with or without reasonable accommodation.