MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Licensed by the Texas Medical Board as an Respiratory Care Practitioner.

ACLS certification required if assigned to Cardiac Rehabilitation

One year of clinical experience in a accredited hospital cardio pulmonary department.

Demonstrates competence in all skills addressed in this job description.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 

• Administers Therapeutic Gases as prescribed in accordance with accepted procedures.
• Administers prescribed medications via inhalation.
• Administers humidified therapeutic gases as prescribed.
• Monitor patient’s physiological responses to therapy, such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, and blood chemistry changes, and consult with physician if adverse reactions occur.
• Work as part of a team of physicians, nurses and other health care professionals to manage patient care.
• Establishes, maintains, and monitors continuous positive airway pressure as outlined in the department procedure manual.
• Responsible for set up and function of continuous mechanical ventilation.
• Educate patients and their families about their conditions and teach appropriate disease management techniques, such as breathing exercises and the use of medications and respiratory equipment.
• Perform pulse oximetry.
• Perform electrocardiography exams.
• Perform Holter Monitor exams.
• Inspect, clean, test and maintain respiratory therapy equipment to ensure equipment is functioning safely and efficiently, ordering repairs when necessary.
• Complies with hospital policy regarding attendance, time, and personal appearance/hygiene.
• Perform pulmonary function and adjust equipment to obtain optimum results in therapy.
• Perform bronchopulmonary drainage and assist or instruct patients in performance of breathing exercises.
• Demonstrate respiratory care procedures to trainees and other health care personnel.
• Use a variety of testing techniques to assist doctors in cardiac and pulmonary research and to diagnose disorders.
• Make emergency visits to resolve equipment problems.
• Conduct tests, such as electrocardiograms, stress testing, and lung capacity tests, to evaluate patients’ cardiopulmonary functions.