Registered Respiratory Therapist at Lehigh Valley Health Network

Summary
Administers all forms of respiratory care, both critical and general therapy, and directs and manages the respiratory and pulmonary care for a designated group of patients. Provides respiratory assessment, support, treatment, and diagnostic tests as part of the healthcare team.

Job Duties

• Conducts evaluation, management and care of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities of the cardiopulmonary system
• Performs inventory of respiratory equipment and maintains adequate stock of equipment.
• Provides respiratory therapy to patients as ordered by physicians according to established standards and practices.
• Trains other staff including physicians and students in issues relevant to respiratory therapy.
• Performs mechanical ventilator management, Bi-pap, and respiratory monitoring.
• Performs emergency cardiopulmonary resuscitation and maintains adequate airways, measures ventilator volumes, pressures, and flows of patients requiring critical care.
• Performs arterial blood gas studies as well as pulse oximetry, interpretation, and analysis.
• Educates patients in collaboration in various clinical situations such as sleep apnea and CPAP machines, proper fitting of mask and headgear, and setting of pressures in concordance to sleep studio requirements.
• Sets-up diagnostic nocturnal sleep screens.
• Sets up, checks equipment, and administers respiratory medication for aerosol treatment as ordered by the physicians/or by patient-driven protocols, charts treatment, response, and progress.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate’s Degree Graduate from an RRT program accredited by the commission of accreditation for Respiratory Care
• Less than 1 year
• Ability to provide respiratory therapy methodologies and techniques.
• Ability to operate and trouble-shoot diagnostic equipment.
• RRT - Registered Respiratory Therapist NBRC - State of Pennsylvania within 1 Year
• ACLS - Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support - State of Pennsylvania within 60 Days
• American Heart Association Basic Life Support - State of Pennsylvania within 30 Days
• PALS - Pediatric Advanced Life Support - State of Pennsylvania within 60 Days
• NRP - Neonatal Resuscitation Program - State of Pennsylvania within 60 Days
• RCP - Respiratory Care Practitioner - State of Pennsylvania Upon Hire

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree Graduate from an RRT program accredited by the commission of accreditation for Respiratory Care

Physical Demands
Lift and carry 40-50 lbs. Examples: Push/pull patients on bed, stretcher (requires 29 lbs. push force), lateral transfers up to 50 lbs. of the patient's weight. Frequent to continuous standing/walking. Patient transporters can walk 8-10 miles per shift. *Patient care providers may be required to perform activities specific to their role including kneeling, bending, squatting and performing CPR.