Registered Respiratory Therapist

The respiratory therapist assumes responsibility for the administration of the procedures and services offered by the Cardiopulmonary Department. Must perform all required functions and educational procedures to the patient for proper care without constant supervision. These include bronchial hygiene, EKG’s, EEG’s, polysomnography, bronchodilation, nasal washings, cardiac stress testing, oxygen delivery, pulmonary function testing, codes, ABG’s and ventilator care. 

Day shift - PRN

1. Check orders and prescriptions to confirm the correct test and obtain any other information needed.
2. Therapist will be able to administer aerosolized medication to patients using compressed air and appropriate equipment.
3. Complete accurate charting and charging for all services provided.
4. Provide EKG testing in a timely and efficient manner.
5. Perform and coach patients with pulmonary function testing.
6. Perform EEG testing.
7. Perform Sleep lab (PSG) testing. If not presently certified as RPSGT, willing to become certified within 18 months of hire.
8. Assist in the cardiac stress lab.
9. Work as a team member both in and outside of the cardiopulmonary services department.
10. Takes an active role in enhancing abilities to carry out job functions through personal and professional job-related growth and development.
11. Willing to rotate schedule-call- must be here within 30 minutes. Willing to work nights, holidays, 12 hour, 10 hour and 8 hour shifts.
12. Obtains and maintains required CPR certification.
13. Maintains current registry (NBRC).
14. Participates in staff meetings, in services and assigned meetings.
15. Cleans and organizes rooms as time allows and organizes daily and routine paperwork.
16. Assists others in the completion of duties.
17. Does not allow non-important interruptions to waste time at the expense of assigned duties and patient care.
18. Ensures the coordination of activities and information within cardiopulmonary and all other departments to ensure improved patient cares.
19. Maintains friendly, courteous and responsive interpersonal communication patterns.
20. Objectively directs concerns regarding established policies and procedures to department director.

• Abilities (required, not preferred)
• Perform the clinical skills of a Respiratory Therapist
• Read, analyze and interpret professional journals, techincal procedures, or protocols
• Calculate figures and amounts such as tidal volumes and minute ventilation
• Define problems, collect and analyze data, establish facts, and draw conclusions
• Deal with high stress situations
• Build positive relations with both internal and external customers

• Education and experience (required, not preferred)     
• Must be a graduate of an AMA approved school for Respiratory Therapy

• Annual requirements, licensure, and certification
• Required 15 hours of CEUs per year in related respiratory topics
• To be registered and licensed by the National Board of Respiratory Care
• Current Iowa license in good standing
• CPR inlcuding HCP, ACLS, PALS are preferred and a new associate has 90 days to obtain this training. Additional NRP training required within one year of hire

• Machines, tools, equipment and work aids
• Items associated with Cardiopulmonary and Repiratory care such as BP cuff, stethoscope, oxygen flowmeters, O2 cylinders, oximeter, ventilator, air compressor, nebulizer equipment, EKG machine, airdyne, treadmill, PFT lab, stress testing equipment, resuscitation equipment, EEG machine, and computer.