Respiratory Therapist - Per Diem

Job Summary

The Respiratory Therapist performs various technical duties to administer respiratory therapy treatments to assigned patients. This position is part of the 1199SEIU Bargaining Unit at Cooley Dickinson Hospital and reports to the Clinical Manager, Respiratory Care.

Essential Job Functions

• Set up, apply, and administer therapy as directed, using complete range of respiratory equipment.
• Control factors such as respiratory ratio, pressure, volume, percentage of oxygen and other gases; administer aerosol medications and continuously monitor patient's condition.
• Perform pulmonary consultations and make recommendations for modes of therapy, frequency, medication, and duration as requested.
• Evaluate effectiveness of therapy by auscultation, laboratory tests, and clinical observation, reporting significant changes to attending physicians and supervisors.
• Perform basic bedside pulmonary testing.
• Perform advanced pulmonary function testing in the pulmonary function laboratory using highly technical and complex equipment to measure volumes, flows, diffusion rates, and metabolic oxygen requirements.
• Perform techniques used in blood gas analysis.
• Oversee the training of all new personnel rotating through the Blood Gas Laboratory.
• Perform basic sleep studies.
• Maintain required records and charts; record treatments given and prepare charges for submission to accounting.
• Assist in setting up and maintaining quality control standards and programs within the department.
• Provide direction, assistance, and guidance to assigned personnel.
• Participate as an instructor in teaching basic respiratory therapy procedures and routines to other hospital staff.
• Assist supervisory personnel in orientation and further training of new personnel.
• Provide education to patients on disease processes, breathing, medications, and use of home respiratory therapy equipment when requested by physician or nursing.
• Provide emergency assistance such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
• Assist in reconditioning and maintenance of routine therapy equipment.
• Maintain, calibrate, and repair highly specialized diagnostic and therapeutic equipment, such as blood gas analyzers, computerized pulmonary function and gas analyzers.
• Follow all organizational and departmental policies and procedures, objectives, confidentiality, quality improvement program, compliance, safety, infection control, environmental standards, and information management systems standards of use.
• Maintain professional growth and development through attendance at seminars, workshops, conferences or in-services, professional affiliations or journals.
• Meet annual competency and retraining requirements and attend meetings as required.
• Perform other functions/duties as requested.

Minimum Requirements

• Associate degree or equivalent required.
• Respiratory Therapist license in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts required.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) for the Healthcare Provider certification from the American Heart Association required.
• NRP from the American Academy of Pediatrics required within 3 months of hire or transfer into position.
• Six months to one year of experience required.