Respiratory Therapy Specialist

Job Code

30000831

Basic Function

Administers continuous ventilatory life support; diagnostic, monitoring and therapeutic procedures on adult, pediatric and neonatal intensive care patients. Performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation, diagnostic evaluation; treats and manages patients with deficiencies and abnormalities of the cardiopulmonary system.

Scope

Performs continuous ventilatory life support and general respiratory therapy throughout the healthcare facility. Cardio-pulmonary physiologic and hemodynamic monitoring in neonatal pediatric and adult intensive care units, emergency departments, and general wards and clinics. Acts as a resource to all physicians, nursing and other healthcare specialties in the management of patients requiring continuous ventilatory life support, diagnostic, and therapeutic modalities.

Provides respiratory care on twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week, including holidays.

Principal Contacts

Respiratory Care Staff members, Physicians; Nursing staff, other health professionals and clerical staff; Company employees and their dependents as patients and other visitors and their families.

Principal Duties

1. Develops and recommends written policy, procedure and operation manuals, encompassing any respiratory activities and implements as approved by Manager Respiratory Therapy.
2. Act as a key information resource for clinical colleagues.
3. Acts as a resource to Physicians, and nursing staff in the management of patients in the critical care units requiring continuous ventilatory life support
4. Provide guidance and support to junior team members.
5. Perform calibration, quality controls and routine maintenance of respiratory equipment.
6. Provides other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Respiratory staff coordinator and the unit Manager.
7. Manage and support all respiratory care patients in the Adult, Pediatric and Neonatal populations.
8. Competently manage all patients on mechanical ventilation.
9. Use knowledge and experience to aid in patient management and in multidisciplinary rounds.
10. Be proficient in airway management of all age groups including manual resuscitation and assistance with intubation.
11. Work independently with therapist driven protocols (adapted orders).
12. Provide patient education.
13. Perform arterial blood gas puncture, arterial line sampling and analysis.
14. Perform calibration, quality control and routine maintenance of arterial blood gas analyzers.
15. Competently and independently perform weaning and extubation from mechanical life support.
16. Assess the respiratory status and history of patients of all age groups and determine the best modality of therapy.
17. Provides all respiratory care therapies including: Chest Physiotherapy, Incentive Spirometry, Deep Breathing and Coughing, Splinting Techniques, Active Cycle Breathing, Positive Expiratory Pressure (PEP), Nebulizers, Meter dose inhalers (MDI’s).
18. Provide CPAP, BIPAP and non-invasive ventilation when indicated.
19. Participate in Code Blues (Internal Cardiac Arrests).
20. Assist with Bronchoscopies.
21. Work in all areas assigned, including: Adult Medical/Surgical/Cardiac ICU’s, Pediatric and Neonatal ICU’s, Emergency Department, and General Wards.
22. Participate in the transport of ventilated patients of all age groups both internally and externally.
23. Adheres to infection control standards and safety standards of this facility.
24. Adheres to policies and procedures of the Respiratory Care Unit and of JHAH.
25. Recognized that this is a JCIA accredited Hospital and adheres to the JCIA expectations of all employees.
26. To perform sleep lab study (to be done by registered polysomnographic technologist only).
27. Collect required CME’s and maintain Ministry of Health Licensure.
28. Perform duties based on specific area of responsibilities .

Area of Responsibility

Respiratory Education Coordinator

Basic Function: Serves as Education Coordinator, develop education activity calendar and plan, coordinate education activities and review staff education requirements.

Scope: Responsible for coordinating all tasks related to education, and using evidence based literatures in recommending best practice to improve the services. Team work is highly necessary. Assure all staff met their licensing CME requirements.

Principle Duties:

1. Create yearly education activity calendar and plan.
2. Coordinate education activities.
3. Responsible for new hires orientation.
4. Responsible for internship program.
5. Review all educational Presentations.
6. Coordinate participation of educational a