This position provides specialized respiratory care to patients in all units of the hospital in support of comprehensive medical care as directed by medical staff and pursuant to objectives and established regulations, policies and procedures. Employees work under medical direction of physician and/or Manager of Respiratory.

Essential Functions:

• Provides all aspects of respiratory therapy to patients including, but not limited to, oxygen therapy, nebulizer treatments, ventilator management, and patient assessments.
• Performs ventilator set-up, assessments and management protocols on assigned patients as required.
• Reviews Clinical Laboratory work and ABGs for patients on the work list to determine appropriate respiratory therapy interventions.
• Conducts reviews of x-rays and x-ray reports for patients on the work list to determine appropriate respiratory therapeutic interventions.
• Reviews patient charts for current orders and changes.
• Evaluates and assesses on-going patient respiratory therapy procedures for effectiveness.
• Interprets labs (chemistries, electrolytes, CBCs, cardiac enzymes, ABGs) and initiates appropriate patient care actions.
• Notifies physicians of potentially dangerous situations as seen while performing procedures.
• Performs intubation, extubation and airway management of adult, pediatric and neonate patients as required.
• Establishes artificial airways for patients in respiratory stress.
• Performs aerosol therapy on patients as necessary.
• Conducts set-up, titration, protocol and appropriate oxygen delivery and evaluates to ensure patient stability as needed.
• Performs patient ventilator management including set-up, checks, testing, cleaning, performing PMs, troubleshooting, weaning, discontinuance and documentation as necessary.
• Performs NIV, BiPAP or CPAP management including set-up, mask fitting, discontinuance, cleaning, troubleshooting and documentation as required.
• Performs arterial puncture, labeling, ordering, analysis reporting and interpretation of blood gas analysis and documents same as needed.
• Places patients on non-invasive breathing machines.
• Performs emergency respiratory therapy in the Emergency Room as needed.
• Attends high risk OB, C-sections and vaginal deliveries to assess and provide respiratory care to newborns as required.
• Performs Peak Flow and Incentive Spirometry procedures with appropriate documentation of patient education.
• Performs Electrocardiography (EKG), and may perform Cardiopulmonary Diagnostic Tests including; Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT),Cardiac Stress Testing, Electroencephalography (EEG) and 24 Hour Holter Monitoring as needed.
• Performs various administrative duties such as data entry, charting, documentation, filing, faxing, copying, and intra-hospital delivery of reports. Performs computer input, updating of the work list and input of charges.
• Documents appropriate patient care information in department records and medical charts. Ensures patient’s records are maintained in orderly fashion.Maintains knowledge and skill level through attendance at in-services and department meetings.
• Conducts room-to-room oxygen and saturation checks.
• Ensures equipment and supplies are maintained and cleaned as required. Contacts appropriate individuals if repairs are required.
• Provides end-of-shift report on patient status and condition to oncoming medical staff.
• Provides instruction and training to staff as required. Serves as a resource for other health care professionals and community.
• Participates in departmental and hospital quality assurance and performance improvement programs.
• Maintains daily contact with physicians, nurses, respiratory care practitioners and other healthcare professionals to establish protocols, conduct and perform special  procedures and ensure medical care objectives are met for patients under charge
• Communicates with patients and family on daily basis as appropriate to ensure patients are educated appropriately on procedures or care to be administered.
• Emergency duty may be required of the incumbent that includes working in special needs or Red Cross shelters or to perform other emergency duties including, but not limited to, responses to threats or actual disasters, man-made or natural.

Education:

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Respiratory Therapy required.

Experience:

• Two (2) to three (3) years experience preferred.

Certification:

• Registered Respiratory Therapist Certification and Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required. Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) and either NRP or Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) are preferred.

Licensure:

• State Florida as Registered Respiratory Therapist license required.

Health Care District of Palm Beach County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and Drug Free Workplace. We embrace diversity and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.