Reserve - Pulmonary Diagnostics Respiratory Therapist

St. Luke's is proud of the skills, experience and compassion of its employees. The employees of St. Luke's are our most valuable asset! Individually and together, our employees are dedicated to satisfying the mission of our organization which is an unwavering commitment to excellence as we care for the sick and injured; educate physicians, nurses and other health care providers; and improve access to care in the communities we serve, regardless of a patient's ability to pay for health care.

The Registered Respiratory Therapist assesses patient’s condition and need for respiratory care; provides appropriate therapy in designated critical and all non-critical areas according to the physician order. Sets up and maintains appropriate ventilator support. Performs diagnostic studies and evaluates results as they relate to the patient. Perform shift charge for department as needed or assigned.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT) on inpatients and outpatients.

2. Processing, distributing, and completing all PFT results.

3. Scheduling tests as needed.

4. Performs six-minute walks and reports results.

5. Performs pulmonary stress tests and reports results; location permitted.

6. Performs any other outpatient tests and reports results.

7. Performs arterial punctures.

8. Makes budget recommendations regarding expenditure of funds to meet department objectives and to maintain or reduce costs within budgeted amounts.

9. Maintains a high level of knowledge related to the department and seeks opportunities to enhance professional growth.

10. Demonstrates competency in the assessment, range of treatment, knowledge of growth, development and communication appropriate to the age of the patient treated.

11. Demonstrates/models the Hospital’s core values and customer service behaviors in interaction with all customers (internal and external).

12. Complies with all departmental and hospital policies regarding dress code, safety, and attendance and confidentiality.

13. Maintains confidentiality of all materials handled within the Network/ Entity as well as the proper release of information.

14. Complies with Network and departmental policies regarding issues of employee, patient and environmental safety and follows appropriate reporting requirements.

15. Demonstrates/models the Network’s Service Excellence Standards of Performance in interactions with all customers (internal and external).

16. Demonstrates Performance Improvement in the following areas as appropriate: Clinical Care/Outcomes, Customer/Service Improvement, Operational System/Process, and Safety.

17. Demonstrates financial responsibility and accountability through the effective and efficient use of resources in daily procedures, processes and practices.

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

1. Any other functions as designated by Respiratory Care Manager including inpatient respiratory therapy.

PHYSICIAL AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS:

Sitting up to two hours per day – 1-hour increments. Standing up to 6 hours per day - 1-hour increments. Walking up to 4 hours per day - 15-minute increments. Frequently uses fingers to manipulate small vials, equipment, etc. Continuous use of hands for writing and operating respiratory equipment. Continuous twisting/turning of hands and body to provide patient care. Occasional lifting of boxes and equipment up to 25 pounds. Frequent carrying of objects/equipment up to 25 pounds. Frequent pushing/pulling of equipment or patients up to 300 pounds. Frequent stooping/bending. Occasional crouching. Occasional reaching above shoulder level. Ability to palpate arteries, feel skin temperature, etc. Hearing as it relates to normal, high and low frequencies. Seeing as it relates to general, far, near, color, and peripheral vision. Depth perception.

POTENTIAL ON-THE-JOB RISKS:

1. Cuts and punctures while using needles – gloves required.

2. Biological hazards when handling patient specimens – gloves required.

3. Possible exposure to chemicals – gloves required.

4. Potential exposure to droplet nuclei containing mycobacterium TB. (For employees identified by the manager.) Employees who work in patient care areas where they may have potential exposure to patients with suspected or proven tuberculosis (TB) must

have the ability to wear a particulate respirator and be fit-tested in compliance with the current recommendations from the CDC (enforced by OSHA) or must provide physician documentation as to the inability to wear a particulate respirator.

MOST COMPLEX DUTY:

1. PFTs and pulmonary stress testing.

SUPERVISION (