General Summary Statement
Respiratory Therapist position is responsible for the delivery of all aspects of respiratory care in accordance with departmental policy and procedures. Provides respiratory therapeutic modalities, inclusive of but not limited to: ABG acquisition, ventilator and airway management for adult, pediatric and infant patients, equipment maintenance, delivery of aerosol medication and chest physiotherapy, assessment of oxygen and medication requirements. This position is a member of the Rapid Response Team and the Code Team for all but Gray and PCI. Respiratory Therapists do not have the responsibility of intubation at Chester County Hospital.
This role practices implementation of systems and standards to promote patient’s safety and safe practices for delivery of patient care.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
· Responsible for delivery of all aspects of respiratory care in accordance with departmental policy and procedures.
· Identifies normal age related factors when planning/providing interventions such as safety, equipment, medication administration, and improving the functional status of the patient.
· Utilizes cutting edge knowledge, research, best practice, and thorough understanding of standards/processes to provide excellent respiratory patient care.
· Interacts with the patient in a manner that preserves patient dignity and privacy while meeting the patient’s psychosocial needs.
· Participates in best-staffing utilization during changes in workload and abides by departmental self-scheduling guidelines.
· Supports the development and maintenance of a written Quality Improvement Plan that supports a systematic, coordinated, outcome focused-improvement approach.
· Supports and implements systems/processes to monitor, evaluate, and improve respiratory practices and patient care outcomes.
· Demonstrates competency in all clinical modalities and procedures on an annual basis.
· Mentors students from local universities in clinical respiratory rotations through the department.
· Works with Respiratory Care Services management to practice continual clinical improvement through evidence-based medicine.
Education, Training, and Experience
1. Minimum of one (1) year of respiratory care experience with current acute care work preferred.
Licensure/Certification
1. Current license to practice Respiratory Care in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
2. Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) or Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT)
3. BLS is required
4. ACLS and PALS required within 6 months from hire date.
5. NRP is required within 1 year from hire date for Respiratory Therapist assigned to NICU department.
Preferred
1. Participation with professional Respiratory Care Associations (AARC/PSRC) preferred.
2. Advanced certifications in Neonatal-Pediatric Specialist (NPS), Pulmonary Function Testing (RPFT or CPFT), Sleep Disorders Testing and Therapeutic Intervention Specialist (SDS) or Asthma Educator-Certified (AE-C) preferred.
3. Bachelor’s degree preferred.
4. ACCS (Adult Critical Care Specialty) preferred.