<p>The incumbent demonstrates the knowledge and ability to successfully perform the following duties within the scope of Respiratory Care. A Respiratory Therapist may perform other duties, both major and minor, that are not mentioned below. Essential functions may change from time to time to reflect the current trends within the field of respiratory therapy, and to meet the cardio-pulmonary needs of the patients served.</p> <p>Area I: Collection of Diagnostic Information</p> <p>A. Pulmonary Function Technology</p> <ol> <li>Perform basic spirometry, including adequate coaching, recognition of improperly performed maneuvers, corrective actions, and interpretation of test results. </li></ol> <p>B. Invasive Diagnostic Procedures</p> <ol> <li> <p>Identify and distinguish the indications, contraindications, and general hazards, complications in preparation, performance, and post care of bronchoscopic procedures.</p> </li><li> <p>Describe the role of a respiratory therapist in diagnostic bronchoscopy procedures.</p> </li><li> <p>Monitor and evaluate the patient's clinical condition with pulse oximetry, electrocardiogram, exhaled gas analysis, and other related diagnostic devices.</p> </li><li> <p>Perform arterial sampling for blood analysis.</p> </li></ol> <p>Area II: Disease Management</p> <p>A. Management of Chronic Diseases</p> <ol> <li> <p>Understand the etiology, anatomy, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiopulmonary diseases (e.g., asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and comorbidities.</p> </li><li> <p>Communicate and educate to empower and engage patients.</p> </li><li> <p>Assist in developing, administering, and re-evaluation of patient care plans.</p> </li></ol> <p>B. Management of Acute Diseases</p> <ol> <li> <p>Develop, administer, evaluate, and modify respiratory care plans in the acute-care setting, using evidence-based medicine, protocols, and clinical practice guidelines.</p> </li><li> <p>Communicate and educate to empower and engage patients.</p> </li><li> <p>Develop, administer, and re-evaluate patient care plans.</p> </li></ol> <p>Area III: Evidence-Based Medicine and Respiratory Care Protocols</p> <p>A. Evidence-Based Medicine</p> <ol> <li> <p>Retrieve credible sources of evidence.</p> </li><li> <p>Apply evidence-based medicine to clinical practice.</p> </li></ol> <p>B. Respiratory Care Protocols</p> <ol> <li> <p>Explain the use of evidence-based medicine in the development and application of hospital- based respiratory care protocols.</p> </li><li> <p>Evaluate and treat patients in a variety of settings, using the appropriate respiratory care protocols.</p> </li></ol> <p>Area IV: Patient Assessment</p> <p>A. Patient Assessment</p> <ol> <li> <p>Complete the assessment through direct contact, chart review, and other means as appropriate and share the information with healthcare team members.</p> </li><li> <p>Obtain medical, surgical, and family history.</p> </li><li> <p>Obtain social, behavioral, and occupational history, and other historical information incident to the purpose of the current complaint.</p> </li></ol> <p>B. Diagnostic Data</p> <ol> <li> <p>Review and interpret pulmonary function studies (spirometry) and pulse oximetry.</p> </li><li> <p>Review and interpret arterial blood gases, electrolytes, complete blood cell count, and related laboratory tests.</p> </li></ol> <p>C. Physical Examination</p> <ol> <li> <p>Inspect the chest and extremities to detect deformation, cyanosis, edema, clubbing, and other anomalies.</p> </li><li> <p>Measure vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate).</p> </li><li> <p>Evaluate patient breathing effort, ventilatory pattern, and use of accessory muscles.</p> </li><li> <p>Measure and document oxygen saturation with oximetry under all appropriate conditions (with or without oxygen at rest and during sleep, ambulation, or exercise).</p> </li></ol> <p>Area V: Leadership</p> <p>A. Knowledge of advanced practice skills in all aspects of respiratory care</p> <p>B. Ability to communicate orally and in writing at varying levels, both internal and external to the organization</p> <p>C. Skill in communicating data, policies, and regulations</p> <p>D. Ability to develop resource material</p> <p>E. Skill in the development of and implementation of appropriate standards of care for Respiratory Care</p> <p>F. Serves as liaison between the department and its clinical consumers (i.e., nursing service, administration and other support services).</p> <p>G. Advise leadership on policy implications, key issues, relationships to both internal and external interest groups and recommended course of action.</p> <p>H. Maintain interdepartmental relations with other services to accomplish medical center goals.</p> <p>I. Coordinate and negotiate resolutions to complex problems and report progress and resolution of problems in achieving goals and objectives to higher levels of management.</p> <p>Area VI: Emergency and Critical Care</p> <p>A. Emergency Care</p> <ol> <li> <p>Perform basic life support (BLS), advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS) according to American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines.</p> </li><li> <p>Maintain knowledge and skills necessary to retain certification as per associated guidelines as stated above.</p> </li><li> <p>Perform endotracheal intubation.</p> </li><li> <p>Perform as a member of the rapid response team (medical emergency team).</p> </li><li> <p>Perform as a member of the Code Blue team to provide airway management, manual and mechanical ventilatory life support, medical gas administration, aerosol delivery of bronchodilators and other agents in the resuscitation of respiratory and cardiovascular failure.</p> </li><li> <p>Manage monitoring systems</p> </li><li> <p>Manage airway devices.</p> </li><li> <p>Make treatment recommendations based on waveform graphics, pulmonary mechanics, and imaging studies.</p> </li><li> <p>Apply knowledge, and analysis of use of therapeutic medical gases.</p> </li></ol> <p>Work Schedule: 1930-0800 Compressed</p>