RRT

Provides respiratory care to patients in an efficient, professional, compassionate and caring manner. Directs the activities of paraprofessionals as they provide care. Responsible for assuring effective communication with patients, support persons and member of health care team. Responsible for implementing respiratory care of assigned patients including, but not limited to: patient assessment, evaluation and education, oxygen therapy, aerosol therapy, chest physiotherapy, incentive spirometry, the ability to obtain, test and monitor blood gas samples, monitoring of flows, pressures, volumes and the management of equipment employed for this purpose (i.e. ventilators, etc.), performing cardiopulmonary diagnostic testing such as electro cardiograms, performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation and establishing emergency airways and the management of emergency airways, the routine sterilization and cleaning of equipment, and documentation of the therapies provided. Acts in compliance with hospital, Pulmonary/Neurology Department policies/procedures, the Ohio Respiratory Care Board and the Respiratory Care Practitioner Act.

RESPONSIBLE TO: Pulmonary/Neurology/Sleep Director & Clinical Manager

Embraces teamwork by adhering to standards of service excellence

Accepts and responds to change productively while maintaining a positive attitude

Role models professional respiratory practice and behavior

Functions in a professional and thoughtful manner taking charge role assignments on occasion.

Decision making and priority setting skills

Time management and effective use of resources

Appropriate delegation skills

Conflict resolution skills

Professional communication that fosters a calm and orderly environment

Maintains awareness of verbal/nonverbal communication in interactions with staff, other departments, physicians, patients and families

Maintains patient confidentiality in all communication interactions: written, verbal, electronic and digital

Communicates effectively with all members of the health care team

Reports critical information to physicians and others as indicated

Properly utilizes chain of command to handle issues

Facilitates communication between staff members, i.e. alerts nursing of changes in patient’s status

Demonstrates basic ability to initiate and manage crucial conversations

Utilizes proven methods to foster positive communication

Communicates all pertinent information regarding patients and their families care needs to other departmental/hospital staff as reasonable and necessary (ex: report)

Interacts with clinical students in positive, productive manner

Maintains appropriate clinical skills

Administers care according to WCH and Pulmonary/Neurology Policy/Procedure, current standards of care and Ohio Respiratory Care Board and the Respiratory Care Practitioner Act and the AARC Practice guidelines

Work habits are consistently adjusted to accommodate the needs of the department and are prioritized and completed in an independent and timely manner. Effectively utilizes time management and organizational skills.

Performs assessments/reassessments and documentation to patient’s condition, needs and age, per Respiratory and Nursing documentation guidelines.

Communicates changes in patient’s condition to the treating physician in a timely manner and suggests possible interventions and course of care as appropriate in a collaborative manner

Initiates, evaluates and reviews plan of care

Provides age appropriate teaching related to diagnosis, identifies patient/family needs and medications using available resources and assuring patient/family understanding by teach back.

Evaluates for any additional/alternative care needs and patient/family satisfaction

Administers medication safely: Correctly demonstrates use of CPOE (Computer Physician Order Entry) Demonstrates knowledge of drug purpose and effectiveness as related to diagnosis Follows 6 rights of medication administration Demonstrates appropriate/safe medication handling/administration Reassesses and documents effectiveness of medications

Correctly demonstrates use of CPOE (Computer Physician Order Entry)

Demonstrates knowledge of drug purpose and effectiveness as related to diagnosis

Follows 6 rights of medication administration

Demonstrates appropriate/safe medication handling/administration

Reassesses and documents effectiveness of medications

Evaluates the environment to assure safety and infection control standards are met

Evaluates the care provided to assure it is based on practice standards and evidence-based practice

Evaluates the educational plan and its implementation while assessing for and addressing gaps in care

Coordinates work to achieve maximum productivity. Able to multitask and prioritize workload. Work habits are consistently adjusted to accommodate multiple responsibilities and are prioritized and completed in a timely manner

Demonstrates reasonable and rational judgment in decision making

Displays positive attitude. Treats others with honesty and respect. Speaks positively in all customer interactions both internally and externally.

Uses evidence-based methods to optimize the patient’s experience by reducing the patient and family’s anxiety and increase patient compliance.

Develops positive relationships with other departments to foster patent satisfaction.

Uses face to face resolutions (crucial conversations) to interact with patients and staff in situations where a customer’s needs have not been met to determine a positive, mutually agreeable resolution.

In conjunction with Department Director & Manager:

Demonstrates initiative and responsibility to develop personal, leadership and professional goals

Functions as a preceptor seeking learning opportunities for orientee. Interacts with department director, manager, and charge staff to evaluate orientee progress towards goals and identifying needs.

Demonstrates professional development by attending conferences, participating in committees/unit projects and ongoing educational activities and maintaining awareness of changes in practices/evidence-based care

Sets goals to cross-train in other areas respiratory therapists are utilized (i.e. cardiac stress testing, PFT, pulmonary rehabilitation, nerve conductions, EEG, SDS)

Demonstrates professional growth by maintaining awareness of changes in respiratory practices/evidence based respiratory care

Accepts feedback as an opportunity for growth

Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of new policies and procedures, practices, and or changes in practices and initiatives. Obtains this knowledge via staff meeting attendance, reading of communication, required hospital and department continuing education, and discussions with departmental leadership and peers.

Identifies processes to be improved and communicates them to the management team. Assists in data collection as directed

Participates or collaborates on a project, team and or a committee, department or hospital based, as directed by the management team

Develops and maintains awareness of DNV, CMS, NIAHO, CAP and any other required quality and safety measures

Develops and maintains ongoing understanding of current practices for the type of patents for whom care is directly provided

Dependent upon department and the population served:

Neonatal ( Birth thru 28 days)

Handles infants in gentle manner

Speaks in soothing voice

Holds and cuddles infant when necessary

Facilitates parental interaction and care of infant

Infant (29 days thru 12 months)

Approaches infant in slow, non-threatening way

Speaks in soothing way

Holds and cuddles infant as much as possible

Encourages parental interaction with infant

Allows for familiar toys/blankets to be brought from home

Pediatrics (one year thru 11 years)

Allows choices when possible

Speaks directly using few, clear, simple terms and explanations

Limits number of strangers entering room

Provides consistent care

Does not shame patient for lack of cooperation

Holds child for painful procedures

Adolescents (12 years thru 18 years)

Allows participation in care and choices as appropriate

Provides for patient’s modesty

Tells patient exactly what will be expected

Allows patient control

Speaks directly to patient in simple medical terms

Geriatrics (65 years and older)

Identifies physical/social/emotional barriers and physical limitations and treats patient with dignity and respect

Teaches patient about one item at a time and speaks directly to patient in simple medical terms

Repeats instructions several times

Speaks slowly and distinctly when talking to the patient

Tells patient what will be expected

______________________________________________________________________________ Rev: 12/10/2024

Approved: TMMYERS