GENERAL SUMMARY OF POSITION:

The FMC Devens Respiratory Therapist principal duties are to assess, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders. The Respiratory Therapist assumes primary responsibility for all respiratory care modalities. The Respiratory Therapist initiates and conducts therapeutic procedures; maintains patient records; and selects, assembles, checks, and operates appropriate equipment.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Set up and operate devices such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, and aerosol generators, following specified parameters of treatment.
• Provide emergency care, including artificial respiration, external cardiac massage and assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
• Determine requirements for treatment, such as type, method and duration of therapy, precautions to be taken, and medication and dosages, compatible with physicians' orders.
• Monitor patient's physiological responses to therapy, such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, and blood chemistry changes, and consult with physician if adverse reactions occur.
• Read prescription, measure arterial blood gases, and review patient information to assess patient condition.
• Work as part of a team of physicians, nurses and other health care professionals to manage patient care.
• Inspect, clean, test and maintain respiratory therapy equipment to ensure equipment is functioning safely and efficiently, ordering repairs when necessary.
• Educate patients and their families about their conditions and teach appropriate disease management techniques, such as breathing exercises and the use of medications and respiratory equipment, in compliance with HIPPA.
• Perform bronchial-pulmonary drainage and assist or instruct patients in performance of breathing exercises.
• Perform pulmonary function and adjust equipment to obtain optimum results in therapy.
• Relay blood analysis results to a physician; use a variety of testing techniques to assist doctors in cardiac and pulmonary research and to diagnose disorders.
• Conduct tests, such as electrocardiograms, stress testing, and lung capacity tests, to evaluate patients' cardiopulmonary functions.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduate of an approved program for respiratory care
• Massachusetts Licensure for Respiratory Therapist and appropriate certifications by the National Board of Respiratory Care
• Proficient oral and written communication skills
• Minimum one year previous job experience
• Current CPR certification