Respiratory Therapist

POSITION PURPOSE

• Assists in and performs the following therapeutic and diagnostic regimes: medical gases and environmental control systems, application and monitoring of mechanical ventilator support, artificial airway insertion, care or management, bronchopulmonary hygiene, pharmacological agents related to respiratory care procedures, protocol driven care, manual resuscitation and airway management, pulmonary rehabilitation, performs test and studies of the cardiopulmonary system obtains physiological specimens and interprets physiological data. Selected RTs may also perform various procedures, such as insertion and management of endotracheal tubes and insertion and maintenance of various various vascular access devices after completion of designated training.

MINIMUM EDUCATION REQUIRED

• Associate Degree in: Respiratory Therapy

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• 0 to 3 years

LICENSES / CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• Licensure to be eligible to practice as a Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) in the State of Wisconsin.

• Current BLS and/or CPR certification from the American Heart Association or American Red Cross or the ability to obtain certification within 6 weeks of hire.

• Registered by the National Board for Respiratory Care or eligible to sit for the registry exam.

• Registry Credential must be completed within 12 months of hire date.

• Graduation from an accredited school of Respiratory Care.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES REQUIRED

• Ability to read, write, hear, speak, and comprehend the English language.

PRINCIPLE ACCOUNTABILITIES AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Provides safe and appropriate aerosolized medication.

• Sets up, monitors, adjusts and manages patient/ventilator systems.

• Provides artificial airway care and management, including insertion of airways in emergent situations.

• Provides appropriate therapeutic application of medical gases and environmental control systems.

• Maintains appropriate documentation, both written and in MIS, for all diagnostic and therapeutic services.

• Performs spirometric studies to include FVC, SVC, and MVV.

• Receives and records verbal orders from licensed independent practitioners for orders that are specific to the services provided by their department.

• Administers medications in a timely manner, safely and in accordance with policy and procedure.

• Insertion and management of endotracheal airways when designated training and competency are completed.

• Provides vascular access on selected patients when designated training and competency are completed. #cb