The responsibilities of a respiratory therapist may include, but are not limited to:
1.
Under supervision; performance and collection of diagnostic information:
a. Pulmonary function testing
b. Interventional diagnostics
d. Noninvasive and invasive diagnostic procedures
e. Blood gas and other pertinent laboratory analysis
2.
Application of therapeutics to respiratory care:
d. Artificial airway management, and care
f. Invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation
g. Vascular catheter insertion, management, and care
h. Extracorporeal Life Support (ECLS)
3.
Patient assessment including physical examination and diagnostic data interpretation
Make changes to patient therapy as indicated by patient response or lab results. Make patient rounds regularly. Observe patient, check equipment, change/make adjustments as necessary Make recommendations regarding patient’s therapy to physician. Discontinue therapy as ordered. Remove equipment from patient rooms, dissemble, and follow infection control cleaning guidelines. Perform oxygen rounds, and titrate as indicated
5.
Disease management of acute and chronic diseases
6.
Collaborative support of hemodynamics
7.
Discharge planning and case management
8.
Provision of emergency, acute, critical, and post-acute care, including
a. Patient and environmental assessment
b. Therapeutic interventions
c. Patient land and air transport
9.
Safety and Equipment Maintenance
Respond to all Rapid Response/Code Blue, and provide applicable care. Maintain established department policies, procedures, objectives, quality assurance, safety, environmental, and infection control. Assists with care and maintenance of department equipment and supplies. Call for maintenance and repair of equipment (in-house). Alert supervisor to malfunction of equipment. Document maintenance/repair.