OUTPATIENT RESPIRATORY THERAPIST (REQ 3768)

POSITION PURPOSE:

The Respiratory Therapist will be in an outpatient setting. They will be responsible for the outpatient respiratory clinic. The Respiratory Therapist administers specified respiratory treatments, medications, and life support to various patients, and conducts diagnostic examination for diagnoses of cardiovascular ailments.

LATITUDE:

This position administers all assigned treatments utilizing respiratory therapy equipment and as specified by the physician, department policy and procedures and the professional standards.  This position is responsible for recognizing and notifying appropriate personnel of life-threatening arrhythmias or untoward efforts resulting from the administration of any respiratory therapy treatments; confers with the physician when modification in treatments is necessary and keeps nursing staff informed.

CONTACTS:

This position works with neonates, children, adolescents, adults, elderly, and their families and appropriate members of the health care team, and is in frequent contact with physicians, nursing staff, and emergency room personnel.  Externally, this position is in frequent contact with community agencies and groups participating in patient care.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

1. The position of Respiratory Therapist requires that the person has graduated from an accredited school of Respiratory Therapy, with certification from the National Board of Respiratory Therapy Care. 
2. Must have RRT accreditation through the NBRC.
3. This individual must have one year experience in Respiratory Therapy or the equivalent combination of education and experience. 
4. This individual must possess the ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulation.
5. Must have the ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
6. Must be able to effectively present and respond to question from groups of managers, clients, customers and the general public. 
7. Must be able to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure and have the ability to calculate figures and amounts, apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations. 
8. Must be able to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists, interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form, and exercise sound technical judgment and appropriate assessment skills.

ENVIRONMENT:

South Peninsula Hospital is a 22 bed acute care facility located on the southern end of the Kenai Peninsula.  There is a 28 bed long term care facility attached to the hospital.  The Acute Care Unit encompasses the medical-surgical beds, step-down care, swing bed, outpatient observation, ICU/CCU, the Family Birthing Center, and the Emergency Room.  The working environment is generally pleasant, is clean and well maintained.  The position requires a moderate amount of walking, standing, sitting, and the ability to lift 50 pounds.  Persons in this position are exposed to infectious diseases, including all types of blood borne pathogens, muscle diseases, including all types of blood borne pathogens, muscle strains, falls, and needle stick injuries.  This person is occasionally exposed to wet, humid conditions, toxic or caustic chemicals, and fumes or airborne particles, and frequently works near moving mechanical parts.  This position is occasionally exposed to risk of radiation or electrical shock.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.  Generally, physical demands are light and most work is performed inside.  Work hours may be varied.