The Respiratory Therapist provides services to adult and pediatric patients.  They provide general respiratory therapy, adult and pediatric critical care, and limited diagnostics. This is a 13-week, night shift, 84-hour contract position.

1. Performs and accurately records technical procedures safely, effectively, efficiently, and within scope of policy
2. Reviews, collects, and evaluates relevant clinical data, and formulates an appropriate care plan based on patient assessment.
3. Performs both basic and advanced emergency, therapeutic, and diagnostic procedures for neonatal, infant, pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients.
4. Provides effective education to patients and co-workers as appropriate.
5. Assembles, checks, and corrects malfunctions and performs quality controls on respiratory care equipment.
6. Actively participates in departmental quality assurance and facility-wide organizational performance improvement activities.
7. Gives rationale for actions, decisions, and clinical care, based on scientific principles, clinical practice guidelines, or successful experience
8. Patient care procedures include:

• • Oxygen/Aerosol Therapy
  • Bronchial Hygiene
  • Postural Drainage and Percussion
  • Intermittent Positive Pressure Breathing
  • Acapella
  • Aerosolized Medications
  • Hand Held Nebulizer
  • Metered Dose Inhaler
  • Dry Powder Inhaler
  • Adult/Pediatric/Neonatal Critical Care
  • CPAP/BiPAP
  • E-ZPAP
  • Mechanical ventilation including transport
  • Blood collection and analysis
  • Emergency tracheostomy tube replacement
  • Bedside Pulmonary Function Testing
  • ECG

DCH Standards

• Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
• Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook
• Must adhere to the DCH Behavioral Standards including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self.
• Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
• Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
• All other duties as assigned.

1. Current Alabama Respiratory Care licensure. 
2. Holds active credential of Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) or Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) (removed statement within 1 year after graduation)
3. Associate Degree in Respiratory Therapy, Bachelor’s degree preferred, or holds a certificate in Respiratory Therapy
4. Must have at least two (2) years of previous direct-care RT experience in a hospital setting
5. BCLS provider
6. PALS preferred for staff working in the Emergency Department.
7. ACLS required.
8. NRP required if NICU trained
9. Membership in appropriate professional organization (i.e. American Association for Respiratory Care, Alabama Society for Respiratory Care) is strongly encouraged
10. Responsible for obtaining needed continuing education for licensure
11. Must be able to read, write legibly, speak and comprehend English.

WORKING CONDITIONS

WORK CONTEXT

• Environmental Conditions: Includes exposure to human fluids, disease, infection, lab chemicals and hazard materials and/or cleaning solutions. Requires wearing common protective or safety equipment.
• Psychological Conditions: Includes demonstrating leadership skills. Delegating to team members, addressing conflict, communicating with all types of personalities, and being responsible for outcomes/results.

PHYSICAL FACTORS

• Ability to tolerate prolonged periods of standing and walking.
• Ability to lift and carry up to a maximum of 50 pounds with frequent lifting and/or carrying objects weighing up to 10 pounds.
• Ability to reach reasonable distances in any direction.
• Ability to run in emergency situations.
• Must be able to move fingers in a coordinated manner.
• Must have ability to feel and perceive temperatures, texture, shape and size with fingertips.
• Physical presence onsite is essential.
• Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range.
• Able to perform the duties with or without reasonable accommodation.