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Overview
Provide respiratory care services that are covered under the employee's limited license to practice respiratory care.
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Special Instructions
Must successfully complete formal respiratory therapy courses, obtain certification from the National Board of Respiratory Care, and possess a valid Kentucky Board of Respiratory Care license.Responsibilities
• Performs equipment storage, assembly, disassembly, and maintenance.
• Transports gas cylinders safely and appropriately.
• Administers oxygen therapy.
• Administers hand-held nebulizer treatments.
• Instructs patients in the use of incentive spirometers.
• Instructs patients in the use of metered dose inhalers (MDIs).
• Performs sputum inductions.
• Performs subsequent applications of CPAP and BiPAP.
• Performs blood gas analysis.
• Performs pulmonary function testing.
• Performs ventilator application and maintenance under direct observation of a preceptor.
• Performs ventilator application and maintenance independently following demonstrated competency.
• Performs arterial punctures.
• Obtains hemodynamic line draws.
• Performs manual ventilation during CPR and patient transport.
• Performs nasotracheal suctioning.
• Responsible for the safe and effective administration of medically prescribed medications, understanding their indications and contraindications.
• Knows and follows indications, contraindications, policies, and procedures related to administering therapeutic modalities including IPPB, IS, USN, HHN, and MDI therapies.
• Sets up and monitors oxygen administration.
• Sets up oxygen cylinders and ensures proper usage and safety measures are maintained.
• Performs bedside pulmonary function tests (PFTs).
• May perform pulmonary function testing in the PFT laboratory following appropriate training and orientation.
• Serves as a member of the Code Team and responds to cardiac and respiratory arrest situations.
• Performs CPR compressions as required and maintains annual CPR certification.
• Performs daily and weekly preventive maintenance, calibration, and quality control testing of ABG and co-oximeter analyzers.
• Demonstrates familiarity with oxygen delivery systems, including nasal cannulas and Venturi masks.
• Demonstrates familiarity with respiratory measurement devices including pulse oximeters, Wright respirometers, and oxygen blenders.
• Assists with setup, safety checks, monitoring, and troubleshooting of mechanical ventilators in collaboration with a Respiratory Therapist.
• Demonstrates knowledge of CPAP and BiPAP setup and administration.
• Maintains accurate and legible records and documents clinical notes in patient charts.
• Reports patient progress and prioritizes patient condition during shift-to-shift handoff.
• Maintains proper documentation within departmental records.
• Participates in staff meetings, lectures, conferences, and seminars.
• Attends all required safety training programs and demonstrates knowledge of responsibilities related to general safety, department safety, and specific job-related hazards.
• Follows hospital exposure control plans for bloodborne and airborne pathogens.
• Demonstrates respect and regard for the dignity of all patients, families, visitors, and fellow employees to ensure a professional, responsible, and courteous environment.
• Promotes effective working relationships and works effectively as part of a department/unit team interdepartmentally and intradepartmentally to facilitate departmental goals and objectives.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Education
• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Associate's Degree in Respiratory Care required.
Required Skills, Knowledge & Abilities
• Working knowledge of problem solving and decision making skills.
• Working knowledge of digital literacy skills.
Outpatient Services
• Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT).
• Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) testing.
• Stress testing.
• Home sleep studies.
• In-Lab sleep studies.
• Electroencephalogram (EEG) testing.
• Holter monitor application and monitoring.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) testing.
• Six Minute Walk Testing.
Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehabilitation
• Phase I: Initial assessment.
• Phase II: Development and implementation of individualized plans including monitored exercise programs.
• Phase III: Self-controlled long-term maintenance programs.
Licenses & Certifications
• Kentucky Board of Respiratory Care credential required.
• National Board of Respiratory Care credential required.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification required for Cardiac and Rehabilitation staff.
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