Respiratory Therapist

• Assesses patients' respiratory care needs based on a variety of data. Plans, organizes, performs, and evaluates treatment modalities to meet those needs. Ensures the very best patient/family experience by optimizing all customer interaction.
• Consistently performs and documents thorough patient assessments.
• Establishes appropriate care plans.
• Communicates with other members of the patient care team.
• Correctly performs and documents routine therapeutic modalities including aerosolized medications, secretion management techniques, pulmonary volume expansion, oxygen therapy, and assists with routine care and maintenance of artificial airways.
• Initiates and manages conventional and high frequency mechanical ventilators according to established protocol.
• Provides appropriate, age-specific, patient and family education as it relates to disease management.
• Assists in intra-hospital transport of mechanically ventilated patients.
• Responsible for acute airway management in emergent situations.
• Sets up and manages non-invasive monitoring (i.e. ETCO monitors, pulse oximeters).
• When care management not available, assists with discharge planning for patients needing respiratory related DME supplies, follows appropriate insurance guidelines.
• Adheres to regulatory requirements and safety standards.
• Adheres to institutional and nationally established standards of care.
• Collects arterial blood gas samples and processes through point of care blood analyzers.
• Maintains the confidentially of patient information according to established internal and external specifications and regulations including release of information and HIPAA.
• Functions as the Shift Coordinator (charge person) when designated as such after one year of employment.
• Assists the medical team in the performance of fiberoptic bronchoscopy procedures.
• Assists the medical team with the placement invasive monitoring lines and obtains hemodynamic measurements and calculations.
• Assists in the intra-hospital transport of age specific patient groups.
• Functions as a preceptor for orientees and students in their clinical rotation.

Work is typically performed in a clinical environment. Accountable for satisfying all job specific obligations and complying with all organization policies and procedures. The specific statements in this profile are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements considered necessary to successfully perform the job. Additional competencies and skills outlined in any department-specific orientation will be considered essential to the performance of the job related to that position.

Benefits of working at Geisinger:

• Comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance that starts day one of employment
• Grow your career with up to $5000 in tuition reimbursement per year
• Three medical plan choices, including options to save with a flexible spending