Respiratory Therapist Pulmonary Rehab

Summary**

Respiratory Therapist perform under the general supervision of a physician, and their responsibilities always encompass evaluating, diagnosing, and treating disorders that affect breathing. Clinical areas including Adult, and Pediatric populations. Respiratory therapists perform diagnostic cardiopulmonary evaluations and respiratory therapy treatments designed to treat patients with deficiencies and dysfunctions of the cardiopulmonary system. Cardiopulmonary evaluation involves acquiring, analyzing, and interpreting data that is obtained from diagnostic tests and specimens.

**Requirements**

The responsibilities of a respiratory therapist may include, but are not limited to:

**1)** Independently conducts and precepts others in performance and collection of diagnostic information

a. Pulmonary function testing

b. Interventional diagnostics

**2)** Application of therapeutics to respiratory care

a. Medical gas therapy

b. Humidity therapy

c. Aerosol therapy

d. Artificial airway management, and care

e. Airway clearance

**3)** Patient assessment including physical examination and diagnostic data interpretation

**4)** Assessment of therapies

Make changes to patient therapy as indicated by patient response or lab results. Make patient rounds regularly. Observe patients, check equipment, and change/make adjustments as necessary. Make recommendations regarding patient's therapy to physician. Discontinue therapy as ordered. Remove equipment from patient rooms, dissemble, and follow infection control cleaning guidelines. Perform oxygen rounds, and titrate as indicated.

**5)** Disease management of acute and chronic diseases

**6)** Collaborative support of hemodynamics

**7)** Discharge planning and case management

**8)** Provision of emergency, acute, critical, and post-acute care, including

a. Patient and environmental assessment

b. Therapeutic interventions

c. Patient land and air transport

**9)** Safety and Equipment Maintenance

Maintain established department policies, procedures, objectives, quality assurance, safety, environmental and infection control. Assist with care and maintenance of department equipment and supplies. Call for maintenance and repair of equipment (in-house). Alert supervisor to malfunction of equipment. Document maintenance/repair.

**10)** Precepting respiratory therapy and RN students.

**11)** knowledgeable in a variety of pulmonary disease states

**12)** Hold, or be actively working toward, specialty credentials, certifications, or proficiencies.

**13)** Perform either a specialty project or participate on a Hospital Committee.

**14)** responsible for educating patients regarding proper inhaled medication techniques, use of spacer devices, medication side effects and importance of refilling medications in a timely fashion

**15)** responsible for educating patients regarding proper inhaled medication techniques, use of spacer devices, medication side effects and importance of refilling medications in a timely fashion

**16)** Meets and maintains clinical ladder requirements of a level III Respiratory Therapist

**Required Experience:**

3 years of clinical experience

**You Belong At Baystate**

At Baystate Health we know that treating one another with dignity and equity is what elevates respect for our patients and staff. It makes us not just an organization, but also a community where you belong. It is how we advance the care and enhance the lives of all people.

DIVERSE TEAMS. DIVERSE PATIENTS. DIVERSE LOCATIONS.

**Education:**

Associates of Science: Respiratory Therapy (Required)

**Certifications:**

Basic Life Support - American Heart AssociationAmerican Heart Association, Registered Respiratory Therapist - State of MassachusettsState of Massachusetts, Registered Respiratory Therapist - The National Board for Respiratory CareThe National Board for Respiratory Care

**Equal Employment Opportunity Employer**

Baystate Health is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.