Respiratory Therapist

JOB PURPOSE

The Respiratory Therapist is responsible for planning, implementing, and evaluating diagnostic and therapeutic respiratory care services, emergency services and special procedures in the Intensive Care Units to assist physicians in the diagnosis and management of patients with cardio-respiratory diseases and related disorders. He / She is also responsible for monitoring the overall statistics of the department.

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Specific

Provide clinical respiratory services under the supervision of physician orders and approved protocols.

1. Perform complete or modified patient respiratory assessment as required on an ongoing
2. basis.
3. Consult with physicians and other health care professionals regarding the patient status and care plans.
4. Monitor patient’s progress and modify respiratory care plan as needed.
5. Participate in multidisciplinary patient rounds and conferences.
6. Document procedures, organize and analyze data, and maintain accurate records.
7. Adhere to hospital and department operating procedures in the delivery of respiratory services.
8. Provides diagnostic and therapeutic services, emergency services, and special procedures. These are:
9. Diagnostic Procedures:
   1. Arterial blood gas sampling and analysis
   2. Bedside ventilator monitoring
   3. Pulse Oximetry
   4. End tidal CO2 monitoring (Capnography)
   5. Apnea monitoring
   6. Weaning parameters
   7. Spontaneous Breathing Trial
10. Therapeutic Services:
    1. Continuous aerosol and humidity therapy
    2. Mechanical Ventilation
    3. Non-Invasive Position Pressure Ventilation (NIPPV)
    4. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)
    5. Airway management

11. Emergency Services:
    1. Artificial respiration
    2. Endotracheal intubation (assist)
    3. Percutaneous tracheostomy (assist)
    4. Assist in the transport of mechanically ventilated patient within hospital

12. Special Procedures:
    1. Bronchoscopy assist – airway management and ventilator monitoring

13. Provide technical support to all respiratory equipment.
    1. Perform trouble shooting and basic maintenance for respiratory equipment.
    2. Perform required calibration and quality control procedure.
    3. Comply with safety regulations related to equipment and medical gases.
    4. Ensure proper functioning of respiratory equipment.

General

1. To participate in departmental quality assurance and hospital wide organisational performance improvement activities.
2. To comply with infection control practices
3. To monitor and enter daily workload.
4. To undertake any other duties as may be assigned.

Education / Training / Experience

1. Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy
2. Preferable with minimum of 5 years clinical experience in intensive care
3. Candidate should be a Registered Respiratory Therapist