Respiratory Therapist

• Monitors and ensures proper operation and functioning of respiratory therapy equipment
• Monitors patients physiological parameters during therapy
• Administers medical gases and aerosolized drugs
• Initiates therapy under a Physicians order, and makes appropriate recommendations for modalities of Therapy
• Implements therapy for, and monitors patients while on continuous mechanical ventilators and all modes of positive pressure breathing devices
• Utilizes clinical and other data to assess cardiopulmonary status of patients
• Assists in intubation
• Provides bedside spirometry
• Evaluates ventilator dependent patients readiness to wean
• Administers humidified medical gases as ordered by practitioners with authority to prescribe
• Interprets blood gas results
• Consults attending physician/practitioner regarding appropriate therapy
• Performs arterial punctures
• Withdraws blood samples from indwelling lines
• Provides ventilatory support during special procedures
• Coordinates transport of ventilatory equipment
• Implements and monitors care of patients on heated aerosols and CPAP as per practitioner order
• Develops good working relationships with laboratory, x-ray, infection control, nursing, physicians and other healthcare workers to maintain optimum total patient care
• Cleans and maintains all respiratory therapy equipment
• Assists in maintaining adequate inventory of respiratory supplies
• Conducts quality control tests on all respiratory equipment
• Maintains equipment in safe, workable order
• Requests repair when necessary
• Participates in continuous quality improvement teams as required
• Monitors esophageal pressures, swan ganz catheter data, CVP, arterial blood pressures, electrolytes, fluid balance and intravascular volumes as they pertain to respiratory patients
• Performs chest physiotherapy, manual ventilation and suctioning
• Positions patients to facilitate respiration
• Performs tracheostomy care and mouth care on intubated/trached patients
• Changes tracheostomy tube as ordered
• Performs electroencephalogram as ordered
• Performs polysomnography as ordered for sleep studies
• Documents pertinent information in medical record
• Documents care provided in medical record
• Monitors disease processes, arterial and venous catheter placement and endotracheal tube placement via chest x-ray
• Communicates pertinent patient information to physicians, practitioners and nurses as appropriate
• Participates in patient rounds with Pulmonologist/Intensivist/Neonatologist
• Responds to and participates in Code Blue as part of Code team/RRT Team
• Able to instruct patient and family on disease processes and treatments provided by Respiratory Therapy in accordance with the hospital patient/family education policies and procedures
• Assumes on-call status as needed
• Other duties as assigned

• Associates degree with major in Respiratory Therapy OR a certificate of completion from a Respiratory Care Program
• Completion of a clinical rotation in critical care/intensive care environment, to include care of respiratory needs of acutely ill patients
• Respiratory Therapist License (Hawaii) required at hire
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program within 1 months of hire from American Academy of Pediatrics
• Basic Life Support required at hire
• Registered Respiratory Therapist Certificate within 3 months of hire from National Board of Respiratory Care
• Demonstrated knowledge of and skill in written communication, oral communication, interpersonal relations, customer service, decision making, problem solving, and teamwork

Experience with NICU (neonatal intensive care) and cardiac surgery patient