Respiratory Therapist

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES; Within the Department of Behavioral Health Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals (BHDDH) to administer respiratory care including specialized diagnostic respiratory procedures to hospitalized patients as prescribed by a physician; and to do related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Works under the general supervision of a superior and receives general instructions from a physician regarding type of treatment to be administered; is individually responsible for administering routine treatment and specialized diagnostic procedures as prescribed by a physician and exercises independent judgment regarding the methods and techniques used in connection with prescribed treatment care; work may be reviewed while in process or immediately upon completion for conformance to predetermined instructions and procedures as well as results obtained.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: As required may supervise subordinates engaged in performing respiratory treatment or respiratory related activities.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED:

Within the Department of Behavioral Health Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals (BHDDH) to administer respiratory care including specialized diagnostic respiratory procedures to hospitalized patients as prescribed by a physician; and to do related work as required.

To deliver various types of respiratory treatment involving aerosol suction and oxygen to improve respiratory status.

To perform specialized diagnostic procedures as directed by hospital policy including pulmonary function testing and drawing arterial blood for analysis as prescribed by a physician and to evaluate results of such procedures.

To set up operate inspect and test devices such as pulmonary function equipment mechanical ventilators therapeutic gas administration equipment blood gas analyzing equipment as well as other types of respiratory therapy equipment and apparatus.

To observe equipment gauges to ensure specified volumes pressures and concentrations are maintained.

To administer cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

To explain to patients the treatment and/or procedures and provide instruction to them as to breathing techniques or rehabilitative breathing procedures.

To monitor the patients physiological responses to respiratory therapy and consult with a physician in the event of any adverse reactions.

To maintain patient records that contain information such as: patient condition treatment and medication administered vital signs breathing patterns and sounds tolerance of treatment and other pertinent data.

To conduct daily physician rounds to attend team meetings and to respond to hospital wide medical situations where a respiratory therapists expertise is needed.

To transport ventilator patients via ambulance to an acute care hospital to activities doctors appointments etc.

To do tracheostomy tube changes as needed.

To perform endotracheal suction.

To do related work as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS FOR APPOINTMENT:

KNOWLEDGES SKILLS AND CAPACITIES; A thorough knowledge of the principles techniques and equipment used in the application of respiratory care; the ability to apply such knowledge in administering respiratory care to patients; the ability to administer specialized diagnostic procedures and the ability to operate required equipment; the ability to read and note physicians prescriptions for individual patients and determine the requirements for treatment including the type and duration of therapy and the medication and dosages ordered; the ability to instruct and explain breathing procedures to patients; the ability to maintain patient records.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Education: Graduation from a high school supplemented by completion of approved program or course of respiratory therapy.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT; At the time of appointment must be licensed as a respiratory therapist by the State of Rhode Island and must maintain licensure as a condition of employment; must be certified or registered by the National

Board of Respiratory Care and must maintain such credentials as a condition of employment; must have been employed full time at an acute care hospital for a minimum of two years.

Client Name: RI BHDDH

Position: Onsite

Requirement: Licensed as a Respiratory Therapist

Note: State of Rhode Island Licensure Required

-This would be a per diem role and hours would fluctuate depending on need. After orientation it is estimated 8-10 hours a month however it could be more depending on patient need.

-Psychiatric experience is strongly preferred and all candidates should be aware that this is a forensic setting.