Qualifications
2 year / Associate Degree in Respiratory Therapy (Required)

Work Experience
1 - 2 years Respiratory Therapy (Preferred)

Licenses and Certifications
Required: Georgia Composite Board license Respiratory Care Professional,
National Board Respiratory Care (NBRC) Registered Respiratory Therapist.

Adult Respiratory Care: Required American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS)
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
Pediatric Life Support (PALS) obtained within 12 months.

NICU Respiratory Care: Required American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS)
Neonatal Resuscitation (NRP); Pediatric Life Support (PALS) obtained within 120 days.

Essential Functions
PERFORMANCE OF INVASIVE RESPIRATORY PROCEDURES:
Respiratory Therapists will perform invasive procedures including endotracheal intubation
ABG and Art line insertion only after being deemed competent following the correct policy and procedure.
Completes competency check off following approved policy before performing invasive procedures.
Knowledge of difficult intubation procedures such as use of Difficult Intubation cart and Glidescope.
Proper arterial line procedure is followed.
Proper arterial blood gas procedure is followed.
Proper Endotracheal intubation procedure is followed.

ASSESSMENT, TREATMENT AND REEVALUATION:
Provides or recommends care based on the patient's condition and needs.
Identifies expected outcomes and plan based on diagnoses or issues.
Treats patients and families with compassion and follows physician orders.
Adapts communication style, listens and responds to patient needs.
Recognizes age-specific responses to treatment.
Provides effective interventions.
Respects patients confidentiality, privacy and social, spiritual, and cultural needs.
Modifies expected outcomes based on changes in the assessment of the patient.

MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION:
Always provides accurate medication and dosage to the correct patient at the correct time.
Checks patient orders before acquiring meds from Omnicell.
Gives and receives accurate and effective hand off.
Pulls meds from Omnicell, one shift at a time, and places in a plastic bag with the correct patient's sticker.
Correctly identifies patient, drug, dosage and time by scanning the patient armband.
Operates medication devices following correct technique to ensure optimal drug delivery.
Keeps bags with medications in large clip boards in their possession at all times until given.

USE OF ELECTRONIC DOCUMENTATION SYSTEMS:
Employees must become competent at accurate and efficient documentation in an electronic system.
Accurately documents all pertinent information regarding patient services rendered.
Makes corrections to errors following proper time frame and process.
Documents services rendered as soon after as possible.

MECHANICAL VENTILATION:
Respiratory Therapists must complete a competency validation and complete an effective orientation to mechanical ventilation before placing and operating mechanical ventilators on patients.
Effectively completes an orientation for set up and ventilator management before operating on patients.
Demonstrates knowledge of ventilator management.
Demonstrates knowledge of ventilator weaning and discontinuation.
Demonstrates knowledge of proper troubleshooting of ventilator performance.
Demonstrates effective critical thinking skills.

Additional Duties
Adheres to the hospital and departmental attendance and punctuality guidelines.
Performs all job responsibilities in alignment with the core values, mission and vision of the organization.
Performs other duties as required and completes all job functions as per departmental policies and procedures.
Maintains current knowledge in present areas of responsibility (i.e., self education, attends ongoing educational programs).
Attends staff meetings and completes mandatory in-services and requirements and competency evaluations on time.
Demonstrates competency at all levels in providing care to all patients based on age, sex, weight, and demonstrated needs.

For non-clinical areas, has attended training and demonstrates usage of age- specific customer service skills.
Wears protective clothing and equipment as appropriate.