Responsible for providing respiratory therapy care and life support to patients with cardiopulmonary system deficiencies and abnormalities, under supervision of physician. Principal Accountabilities:1. Evaluates prescription, measures arterial blood gases, and checks patient information to assess patient condition and determine requirements for treatment, such as type and duration of therapy, and medication and dosages. 2. Renders aerosol medications and treatments to patients for inhalation, an...
Responsible for providing respiratory therapy care and life support to patients with cardiopulmonary system deficiencies and abnormalities, under supervision of physician.
Principal Accountabilities:
1. Evaluates prescription, measures arterial blood gases, and checks patient information to assess patient condition and determine requirements for treatment, such as type and duration of therapy, and medication and dosages.
2. Renders aerosol medications and treatments to patients for inhalation, and positions patients to assist in breathing and prevent lung obstruction.
3. Determines most suitable method of administering inhalants, precautions to be observed, and modifications that may be needed, which will be compatible with physician's orders.
4. Sets up and operates devices, such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, and aerosol generators to support respiration and maintain patient's oxygen supply.
5. 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.
6. Monitors patient's physiological responses to therapy, such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, and blood chemistry changes.
7. Performs chest physiotherapy on patient to remove mucus from their lungs and make it easier for them to breathe and assists patient in performing breathing exercises.
8. Assists in the performance of diagnostic testing by performing pulmonary function tests to be used by physician in diagnosis of case.
9. Observes equipment function and adjusts equipment to obtain optimum results to therapy.
10. Consults with physician in event of adverse reactions.
11. 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, and orders repairs when needed.
12. Provides patient education and support for patients suffering from chronic lung disease.
13. Demonstrates respiratory care procedures to trainees and other health care personnel.
14. May care for premature infants with underdeveloped pulmonary systems, the elderly who have increased susceptibility to pulmonary and cardiac disease, and trauma patients.
15. Accepts patient referrals and complete verification process.
16. Schedules patients and follows up with phone calls to patients as needed.
17. Completes all documentation (initial visit, questionnaires, signed ITP, daily documentation, 6MWT, final visit) in a timely and correct manner.
18. Correctly takes vital signs (HR, O2 sat, BP- manual and automatic, breath sounds and Borg scale) and records.
19. Places patient on supplemental oxygen, if applicable.
20. Safely operates all types of equipment used in PR setting (including weights) and proper safety measures of each.
21. Possesses and demonstrates knowledge of exercise in general, pulmonary anatomy, pulmonary diseases, medications, and other related education topics.
22. “Moves patients along” in their routine in a timely manner.
23. Educates patient on breathing techniques and motivates patients and family members as needed.
24. Correctly performs 6MWT (time, count laps, encourage patient, watch breathing techniques).
25. Correctly obtains spirometry report and documents 6MWT.
26. Timely completes and communicates results/progress to MD.
27. Recognizes and reports critical values in timely manner.
28. Collects and maintains PR statistics.
29. Performs other duties as assigned.