Respiratory Therapist II

Job Summary As an autonomous practitioner and key multi-disciplinary team member, the Respiratory Therapist will be able to assess, educate, treat, and offer preventive and health care promotion to patient with cardiopulmonary deficiencies across the care continuum. They will be responsible for general respiratory procedures and ventilator management, performance of arterial punctures for blood gas analysis, to assist in bronchoscopy, and performance of emergency respiratory procedures. They will assist other team members where required, to effectively manage patients and promote knowledge sharing and skill acquisition. To provide high quality, Respiratory therapy services across the following key areas: Adults Pediatrics Neonatal Job Responsibilities 1 Manages patient care workload in Emergency Department, Critical Care, Neonatal Care and General Wards. Performs adult and pediatric/neonatal respiratory procedures including set-up and monitoring of free flow O2 therapy systems, blend aerosol systems, medicinal aerosol systems, volume expansion techniques/devices, bronchial hygiene techniques/devices and CPR. Manages ventilator systems including setup and monitoring of continuous invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation systems. Performs emergency procedures including set-up and monitoring of adult invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilator systems and related supportive adjuncts. Job Responsibilities 2 Performs adult, pediatric and neonatal arterial puncture for arterial blood gas analysis, and capillary puncture for venous blood gas analysis in neonatal patients. Assists with bronchoscopy procedures. Administers aerosolized medications as prescribed, assesses patient’s response, and recommends modification by protocol and physician order. Takes an active role within the development of the Rehabilitation Services, delivering In-Service training, facilitating/delivering the training and development of non-therapy staff and sharing knowledge and skills where appropriate. Manages own time and caseload with an awareness of limitation of the Therapy Service and a knowledge of specialist facilities and appropriate referral and provides support to colleagues and direct reports to manage their caseload. Acts as a key figure within the Hospital, in the provision of specialist knowledge and skill in the respiratory assessment, management and treatment of patients, within a broad scope of practice. Adheres to all departmental and facility wide policies, procedures, risk assessments and processes in the interests of maintaining a safe and effective work environment and promoting the highest quality patient care experience. Skills Job Knowledge & Skills Experience of working across a wide range of settings including ED, ICU, Neonatology and wards. Including the use of mechanical ventilation, interpreting of blood gasses, administering of aerosol medication and delivery of airway clearance techniques Evidence of appropriate continued professional development Expertise in the application of evidence-based practice. Previous experience working in a multi-disciplinary care team. Experience of delivering teaching and education to the RT and wider team. Working knowledge of Respiratory Therapy Scope of Practice, The Joint Commission International and other local regulatory requirements.