To administer a variety of respiratory care procedures in a developmentally/age appropriate manner for patients ranging from neonates to adults.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibility A: Performs patient care and related activities according to policy and/or guidelines. In

compliance with MD order to provide optimal patient outcome.

• Performs patient care assessment.
• Performs medication delivery.
• Performs airway clearance techniques.
• Performs pulmonary function testing.
• Provides ventilatory support.
• Performs department specific specialty tasks.

Responsibility B: Documents patient-related activities according to policy/guidelines accurately in a legible manner.

• Documents patient information in patients’ medical record to include Patient flow sheet, tracer log, patient assessment Form and departmental electronic system.
• Enters and updates patient orders in electronic system.
• Documents daily shift summary, intubation note, transport note and other special procedures in the electronic system.
• Documents information for all research and/or performance improvement projects.

Responsibility C: Facilitates good communication with Physician, Nursing, and other members of the healthcare team to coordinate optimal patient care.

• Perform medical record review to ensure physician's orders for respiratory care are current, signed off appropriately, coincide with therapy delivered and are optimal for patient outcome.
• Communicates with physicians, provides suggestions and input into the patient's plan of care, attempts to initiate respiratory protocols for all applicable patients, attends physician rounds consistently.
• Delivers a complete and comprehensive verbal report to the oncoming shift and manger by reporting all information relevant to the patient’s plan of care and anticipated problems.
• Receives, documents and initiates verbal/telephone orders pertaining to respiratory care modalities in an accurate manner.
• Works with other health care team members to promote teamwork through appropriate delegation and/or volunteering of patient care tasks.

Responsibility D: Provides instruction to patients and families.

• Provides orientation/reinforcement to respiratory care modalities pertaining to their disease process.
• Provides orientation/reinforcement to hospital environment.
• Provides accurate and thorough information consistently to patients and families concerning their understanding of, cooperation with, and participation in their own care upon admission.
• Provides patient education accurately and clearly for home care, including but not limited to the following modalities: patient assessment, medication delivery, airway clearance techniques and mechanical ventilation.

Responsibility E: Expands professional knowledge base and clinical capabilities.

• Certificate in Basic Life Support (BLS) from an approved AHA Course Provider.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to perform in all required areas of the hospital per facility.
• Promotes staff development by assisting in the orientation process of other staff.
• Promotes student development through volunteering as a clinical instructor and providing a positive educational experience.
• Performs or participates in one committee or in-service per year.

Responsibility F: Performs other essential functions.

• Informs Supervisor of all patient/personal injury or unsafe situations, anticipated problems and unusual situations, completes appropriate related documentation.
• Participates in the Performance Improvement Plan by collecting PI data, providing input into problem solving PI issues and suggesting areas where patient care can be improved.
• Maintains and evaluates respiratory care equipment.
• Completes studies according to guidelines and assists or takes an active role in facilitating studies and protocols.
• Maintains a current knowledge of and participates in departmental and hospital activities.

Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge of basic anatomy and physiology of the cardiopulmonary systems and infection control; disease states, pathophysiology and pharmacology; operation of equipment used to administer routine respiratory care therapeutic modalities; special procedures once trained.
• Ability to be articulate, courteous and supportive in dealing with hospital, administrative and departmental personnel, patients and parents with ability to honor confidentiality.
• Independently treat patients from all departments by following the established therapy plan of care
• Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrate good customer service
• utilize basic office equipment and a personal computer.
• Re