JOB TITLE/CLASSIFICATION ……… REGISTERED RESPIRATORY THERAPIST (RRT) (163)
DEPARTMENT …………………………… PULMONARY SERVICES
STATUS …………………………………….. NON-EXEMPT
RELATIONSHIPS
Reports to …………………………….. PULMONARY SUPERVISOR AND PULMONARY MANAGER
Supervises
Works with all hospital staff
External Relationships- physicians, practitioners, homecare providers, and other vendors
POSITION SUMMARY
Under general supervision the RRT will perform all respiratory care related duties. Sets up and
administers all routine and complex respiratory therapy procedures to patients of all ages in all areas of
the hospital, particularly in the ER, Special Care Nursery, and ICU/CCU departments as prescribed by
a physician. Responsible for the application and operation of acute care ventilators used for continuous
short and long-term mechanical ventilation of adults, pediatrics and neonates. Therapists are expected
to be self directed in the absence of the full-time Team Leader. Maintain all department and hospital
records and enters accurate information into the hospital computer for the therapy as given.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
After thorough review of the chart to verify proper prescription by a physician, and appropriateness of
the procedures ordered, will perform procedures accurately and in a timely manner, and as described in
the policy and procedure manual:
Oxygen Therapy; tank, tent, mask, cannula, walker, high flow, etc.
Coughing and deep breathing instruction and exercises and related maneuvers including
Incentive Spirometry
Aerosol Therapy; Bland and Medicated, Metered dose, Ambient, Ultrasonic, Sputum Induction
Comprehensive Pulmonary Function Testing, and nutritional assessment via calorimetry
Chest Physical Therapy
IPPB, CPAP, BiPAP Therapy
Airway maintenance, oral, nasal, and tracheal suctioning
Arterial puncture for the purpose of blood gas analysis, after proper certification
Non-invasive monitoring
Mechanical Ventilation of the neonate/infant
Continuous mechanical ventilation of acute and critically ill adults in ER, ICU-CCU & long-term setting
Assist with bronchoscopy, diagnostic and therapeutic
All other procedures as described in the P&P manual
Performs assessment of the patient, determining needs related to the frequency and duration of the
treatment regime ordered by the MD. Requests re-order when necessary and communicates with
nurse and MD about discrepancies and concerns.
Initiates and follows through with protocols described in the policy and procedure manual and as
approved by the department and medical staff.
Observes the response of the patients to therapy, evaluates and records in the patients record.
Immediately reports adverse reactions following established mechanisms.
Maintains department master record, recording procedures preformed, new starts and DCs in a timely
manner, and noting reasons for any missed treatments. Maintains proper critical care records, (flow
sheets, charts, and record cards.) Chart treatments and procedure accurate in the forms provided
immediately upon completion. Enters appropriate information into the hospital computer system
accurately and completely.
Participates in Multidisciplinary Care Planning by regularly attending care conferences and by keeping
care plans up to date. Respond to emergent situations in the hospital and assists with providing
CPR/ACLS as certified by the American Heart Association and as directed by the hospital procedure.
Assist with the on-going evaluation and renewal of therapy by direct communication with ordering
practitioners as directed by policy and as assigned.
Makes oxygen rounds as necessary and appropriate, causing the safe and effective use of supplies
and equipment. Provide for the titration of oxygen as described by Protocol.
Provides instruction to patients, family, staff, and students about theory, therapy, and equipment used
in Respiratory Care procedures and techniques, and documents such as required. Provides instruction
and referral for Home care patients and their families/care givers.
Demonstrates competence and provide for the cleaning, sterilization, assembly and maintenance of
equipment and stocking of supplies in the department and the floors, as necessary and appropriate.
Provides complete report to on-coming personnel and takes a complete report from off-going personnel.
Will act as Team Lead in the absence of the regular Team Lead on a rotational basis as assigned,
performing the duties and responsibilities described in that job description to the best of your ability.
Participates in annual clinical competency education.
Seek to improve performance by participating in self-development activities, in-services, and continuing
education that is appropriate for the effective and efficient delivery of Respiratory Care. May be
requested to prepare and provide in-service presentations to the staff.
Assists in the orientation of new nursing and RC personnel to the department, ICU/CCU, ER, Nursery,
hospital and Skilled Nursing settings.
Provides developmentally appropriate care to support patients of all ages during their hospitalization.
Demonstrates competence in the care of neonatal, pediatric, adult or frail elderly groups of patients
(when/if assigned to these patients) relative to determining each patient’s age-related and other
physical, psycho social and cultural needs and carrying out patient care activities.
Supports multidisciplinary quality assessment and improvement activities by participating in improving
important aspects of care. Participates in improving care by serving on committees or task forces,
collecting data when appropriate and sharing ideas for improvement. Serves on Process Improvement
Teams as requested and reports significant quality and/or risk related problems to the Quality
Assurance Department on the appropriate forms
Become proficient in and provide quality control and regular maintenance of the Blood Gas and CoOx
machines as necessary and assigned.
Performs other duties requested by the Manager, and/or Team Leader and as described in the
departments policy and procedure manual.
Other Duties
Maintains a good attendance record and follows all hospital rules, policies and procedures.
Maintains open and effective communications with patients and their nurses, physicians, peers,
supervisors, and students. Establishes and maintains excellent interdepartmental and interpersonal
relationships.
Attends departmental meetings and in-services to stay current with the developments of the department
and hospital.
Always practices good customer relations skills.
Maintains an orderly and neat department and work area at all times.
Answers and responds to all calls and pages of the Department.
Maintains knowledge of recent advances in medical principles of respiratory therapy equipment,
procedures, and drugs.
Works in potentially hazardous conditions following all the guidelines provided by the hospital regarding
Infection Control, HAZ/MAT and Safety/Disaster.
Performs EKG testing as necessary and as requested in the absence of the regular Cardiology Staff.
Demonstrates knowledge of specialized examinations and tests associated with respiratory therapy and
understand the reasons for the individual patient’s needs and respiratory therapy plan.
Displays clinical knowledge and manipulative skills regarding the care, operation, servicing, and repair
of all Pulmonary Services equipment. Makes appropriate repairs and does necessary maintenance
when required and as necessary. Brings non-functioning equipment to the attention of the Team Lead,
Supervisor, or Manager.
Makes daily rounds and checks all emergency equipment and supplies .
Observes that proper safety measures are enforced in the techniques used on patients receiving
therapy. Maintains high safety standards in the hospital.
This job description outlines the general nature and level of work performed. Job duties may be
modified as needs and demands of the job dictate. Performs other job-related duties as assigned by
the Manager or Supervisor.
QUALIFICATIONS
*License/Certification
Current California RCP License or written permission to practice required. Must have immediate
access to license while on duty.
Actively registered with the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) required.
Current BLS, ACLS, and NRP Certification required
PALS and CPFT encouraged and preferred
Membership in AARC and/or CSRC preferred
*Proof of all required License(s) and Certification(s) is due at time of hire.
**Education
Graduate of a recognized COARC or JRCRTE/AMA Respiratory Care Educational Program
Approved 2 year (AA degree) Respiratory Therapy program, preferred
**Required educational levels call for proof at time of hire.
Experience
2 years previous hospital experience required
Emergency Room, Critical Care, Pediatric, and Neonatal experience preferred
Skills
Fluent in communicating verbally and written skills of English. Ability to read and understand English.
Knowledge of normal and abnormal pathology and patho-physiology related to the respiratory system.
Knowledge of the indications, appropriateness, contraindictions, and side effects of various medications
and treatment techniques required.
Mechanical abilities are required
Computer skills including basic hardware operations and Microsoft Office software are required
Ability to organize work, set priorities and perform detailed work
Good interpersonal skills
Employee must demonstrate basic computer skills
Physical Requirement
The duties as described required frequent sitting, standing and walking.
The employee will occasionally bend/stop, squat, reach above the shoulders, twist and turn, kneel, and
push/pull, push respirators, and cylinder carts and help position patients in bed.
The employee may occasionally be required to life up to 50 pounds.
The employee may occasionally perform CPR and Bag Mask Ventilation.
Visual ability; near acuity; 8” to 16”, mid-focal acuity: 16” to 3’; far visual acuity; 20’ and greater in
occasional decreased lighting.
Must utilize conversational speech for effective verbal communication in English Language.
Noise level is high in some patient care areas; must be able to hear equipment alarms, overhead
pages, and direct verbal communication.
Hazards;
will have close contact with patients and is likely to come in contact with blood and body fluids;
often exposed to infection; works with electrical equipment; occasional exposure to radiation (X-Ray).
For more detailed and specific physical requirements, consult the Job Analysis on file in the Employee
Health office.
