SUMMARY

Provide specific, well defined respiratory care procedures under the direction of respiratory therapists and physicians.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Use ventilators and various oxygen devices and aerosol and breathing treatments in the provision of respiratory therapy.

• Work with patients in areas such as the emergency room, neonatal/pediatric intensive care, and surgical intensive care, treating conditions including emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asthma, cystic fibrosis, and pneumonia.

• Read and evaluate physician’s orders and patients' chart information to determine patients' condition and treatment protocols.

• Keep records of patients' therapy, completing all necessary forms.

• Set equipment controls to regulate the flow of oxygen, gases, mists, or aerosols.

• Provide respiratory care involving the application of well-defined therapeutic techniques under the supervision of a respiratory therapist and a physician.

• Assess patients' response to treatments and modify treatments according to protocol if necessary.

• Prepare and test devices such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, aerosol generators and EKG machines.

• Monitor patients during treatment and report any unusual reactions to the respiratory therapist.

• Explain treatment procedures to patients.

• Clean, sterilize, check and maintain respiratory therapy equipment.

• Perform diagnostic procedures to assess the severity of respiratory dysfunction in patients.

• Follow and enforce safety rules applying to equipment.

• Administer breathing and oxygen procedures such as intermittent positive pressure breathing treatments, ultrasonic nebulizer treatments and incentive spirometer treatments.

• Recommend and review bedside procedures, x-rays, and laboratory tests.

• Interview and examine patients to collect clinical data.

• Teach patients how to use respiratory equipment at home.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICTIONS:

• Associate’s degree in Respiratory Care or equivalent certificate

• Six months experience to include clinical rotations completed as part of the educational process.

• New York State Respiratory Therapy Technician license required.