Level II - Respiratory Therapist
Valley Medical Center
Renton, WA

Will acquire Washington State Respiratory Care Practitioner License.

Two years Hospital Respiratory Therapist experience preferred.

Pulmonary Function Testing experience preferred.

Maintains BLS and ACLS. PALS and NRP certification required within 90 days of hire. Per diem therapists are not to be assigned to the NICU unless they have their NRP credential and 1+ year NICU experience.

Demonstrates professionalism and effective people skills in a diverse population.

Effectively communicates in verbal and written English with all customers.

Demonstrates flexibility, adaptability, and the balance to keep organized and positive in a climate of constant change and environment of multiple interruptions.

Demonstrates appropriate decision-making skills and quick follow through on problem issues.

Skill to analyze breathing, tissue, and blood specimens to determine levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide and other gases. Experience with diagnosing lung, breathing disorders, and recommending treatment methods.

Ability to manage ventilators and/or artificial airway devices safely and effectively to support patients experiencing respiratory decompensation.

Ability to respond to Code Blues, RRTs and other urgent calls for care in a reasonably quick manner.

Ability to educate patients and families on subjects of lung disease and effective medication delivery devices in order to maximize their therapy, health, and quality of daily living.

Ability to demonstrate effective/proper patient assessment and performing chest physical exams to determine appropriate therapy for patient condition.

Ability to communicate and recommend daily therapies with providers.

Generic Job Functions: See Generic Job Description for Clinical Support Partner.

Essential Responsibilities and Competencies:

Reviews existing data in patient record including admission and current respiratory care orders, patient history, physical examination, pulmonary function values, blood gas results, additional laboratory data and ECG.

Collects and evaluates additional pertinent clinical information by inspection, palpitation, percussion, auscultation, and patient interview.

Inspects chest x-ray to determine presence of, or changes in, consolidation, atelectasis, pneumothorax, and position of tracheal tube.

Performs and evaluates bedside spirometry and pulmonary mechanics.

Recommends the collection of additional pertinent data through chest x-ray, blood gas analysis, pulmonary function studies and other laboratory tests.

Performs and/or evaluates arterial blood gases.

Determines appropriate of prescribed therapy and goals for the identified pathophysiological state.

Selects, assembles, and checks the following equipment for proper function, operation, and cleanliness.

Educates patients on prescribed therapeutic procedures and goals.

Evaluates and monitors patient's response to therapy.

Modifies treatment techniques based on patient response to therapy.

Assists providers performing bronchoscopy, tracheostomy, and invasive monitoring.