Under general supervision, administers respiratory care and life support to patients with cardiopulmonary system deficiencies and abnormalities. Trains and acts as a resource for respiratory department technicians.

• This is a Full time, Contract position
• This is up to 72 hours per pay period

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

· Assesses patients and recommends respiratory therapy treatments.

· Plans, prepares, and administers respiratory therapy treatments including aerosol, chest physical therapy, incentive spirometry, and sputum inductions, in accordance with established policies and procedures.

· Performs diagnostic pulmonary and cardiac tests.

· Records patient treatment, response, and progress.

· Inspects, tests, maintains, and operates respiratory therapy equipment.

· Responds to "code blue" calls and assists by maintaining the patient's airway and performing CPR.

· Reads prescription, measures arterial blood gases, and reviews patient information to assess patient condition and determine requirements for treatment such as type and duration of therapy, and medication and dosages.

· Determines most suitable method of administering inhalants, precautions to be observed, and modifications which may be needed that will be compatible with physician's orders.

· Sets up and operates devices such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, and aerosol generators.

· Operates equipment to ensure specified parameters of treatment such as volume, gas, concentration, humidity, and temperature, and to administer medicinal gases and aerosol drugs to patients.

· Monitors patient's physiological responses to therapy such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, and blood chemistry changes.

· Performs bronchopulmonary drainage and assists patient in performing breathing exercises.

· Performs pulmonary function tests to be used by physician in diagnosis of case.

· Observes equipment function and adjusts equipment to obtain optimum results to therapy.

· Consults with physician in event of adverse reactions.

· Maintains patient's chart that contains pertinent identification and therapy information.

· Inspects and tests respiratory therapy equipment to ensure equipment is functioning safely and efficiently.

· Orders repairs when needed.

· Demonstrates respiratory care procedures to trainees and other health care personnel.

· Graduate of a Respiratory Therapy school accredited by the Committee for Allied Health Education and Accreditation of the American Medical Association.

· Associates degree or equivalent from a two-year college or technical school.
Licensed through the Ohio Respiratory Care Board.

· One year healthcare experience preferred.

· CPR - approved by the American Heart Association.

· ACLS - approved by the American Heart Association.