Respiratory Therapist - PFT Lab GSL

St. Luke's is proud of the skills, experience and compassion of its employees. The employees of St. Luke's are our most valuable asset! Individually and together, our employees are dedicated to satisfying the mission of our organization which is an unwavering commitment to excellence as we care for the sick and injured; educate physicians, nurses and other health care providers; and improve access to care in the communities we serve, regardless of a patient's ability to pay for health care.

JOB SUMMARY

The Pulmonary Diagnostic Respiratory Therapist will perform all inpatient and outpatient pulmonary diagnostic testing.

The intent of this job description is to provide a summary of the major duties and responsibilities of this position and shall not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the position.

WORK PERFORMED

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT) on inpatients and outpatients.

Processing, distributing, and completing all PFT results.

Scheduling tests as needed.

Performs six-minute walks and reports results.

Performs pulmonary stress tests and reports results; location permitted.

Performs any other outpatient tests and reports results.

Performs arterial punctures.

Makes budget recommendations regarding expenditure of funds to meet department objectives and to maintain or reduce costs within budgeted amounts.

Maintains a high level of knowledge related to the department and seeks opportunities to enhance professional growth.

Demonstrates competency in the assessment, range of treatment, knowledge of growth, development and communication appropriate to the age of the patient treated.

Demonstrates/models the Hospital’s core values and customer service behaviors in interaction with all customers (internal and external).

Complies with all departmental and hospital policies regarding dress code, safety, and attendance and confidentiality.

Maintains confidentiality of all materials handled within the Network/ Entity as well as the proper release of information. 

Complies with Network and departmental policies regarding issues of employee, patient and environmental safety and follows appropriate reporting requirements. 

Demonstrates/models the Network’s Service Excellence Standards of Performance in interactions with all customers (internal and external).  

Demonstrates Performance Improvement in the following areas as appropriate: Clinical Care/Outcomes, Customer/Service Improvement, Operational System/Process, and Safety.

Demonstrates financial responsibility and accountability through the effective and efficient use of resources in daily procedures, processes and practices.

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

Any other functions as designated by Respiratory Care Manager.

PHYSICIAL AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS:

Sitting up to two hours per day – 1-hour increments.  Standing up to 6 hours per day - 1-hour increments.  Walking up to 4 hours per day - 15-minute increments.  Frequently uses fingers to manipulate small vials, equipment, etc.  Continuous use of hands for writing and operating respiratory equipment.  Continuous twisting/turning of hands and body to provide patient care.  Occasional lifting of boxes and equipment up to 25 pounds.  Frequent carrying of objects/equipment up to 25 pounds.  Frequent pushing/pulling of equipment or patients up to 300 pounds.  Frequent stooping/bending.  Occasional crouching.  Occasional reaching above shoulder level.  Ability to palpate arteries, feel skin temperature, etc.  Hearing as it relates to normal, high and low frequencies.  Seeing as it relates to general, far, near, color, and peripheral vision.  Depth perception. 

POTENTIAL ON-THE-JOB RISKS:

Cuts and punctures while using needles – gloves required. Biological hazards when handling patient specimens – gloves required. Possible exposure to chemicals – gloves required. Potential exposure to droplet nuclei containing mycobacterium TB. (For employees identified by the manager.)Employees who work in patient care areas where they may have potential exposure to patients with suspected or proven tuberculosis (TB) must have the ability to wear a particulate respirator and be fit-tested in compliance with the current recommendations from the CDC (enforced by OSHA) or must provide physician documentation as to the inability to wear a particulate respirator.

MOST COMPLEX DUTY:

PFTs and pulmonary stress testing.

SUPERVISION (RECEIVED BY AND/OR GIVEN TO):

Respiratory Care Manager.

COMMUNICATIONS:

Communicates with physicians, other health care practitioners, patients, and families. Must be able to think independently and make decisions.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Valid license to practice respiratory care in the state of PA. For Warren Campus ONLY: Graduate of a Respiratory Therapist training program approved by the Joint Review Committee for Respiratory Therapy Education (JRCRTE) as evidenced by a valid NJ license as a Registered Respiratory Therapist. New graduates must have licensure as a Certified Respiratory Therapists and are required to obtain licensure as a Registered Respiratory therapist within 6 months of hire.

Registered by the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC).

Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) required.

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) within 1 year of hire.

Certified Pulmonary Function Test (CPFT) preferred.

QUALIFICATIONS

(MINIMUM)

EDUCATION:

Current License as a Respiratory Therapist in a State of Pennsylvania. For Warren Campus ONLY: Graduate of a Respiratory Therapist training program approved by the Joint Review Committee for Respiratory Therapy Education (JRCRTE) as evidenced by a valid NJ license as a Registered Respiratory Therapist. New graduates must have licensure as a Certified Respiratory Therapists and are required to obtain licensure as a Registered Respiratory therapist within 6 months of hire.

Registered by the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC).

Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) required.

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) within 1 year of hire.

Certified Pulmonary Function Test (CPFT) preferred.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

Familiar with Pulmonary Diagnostic policy and procedure. Proper orientation/training to Pulmonary Diagnostic department.

WORK SCHEDULE:  Primarily Monday through Friday, day shift or as needed.

REVISED:   02/2019

The Registered Respiratory Therapist assesses patient’s condition and need for respiratory care; provides appropriate therapy in designated critical and all non-critical areas according to the physician order. Sets up and maintains appropriate ventilator support. Performs diagnostic studies and evaluates results as they relate to the patient. Perform shift charge for department as needed or assigned.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Sets us and maintains ventilatory support of both adult and children in all critical care areas. Makes changes and weans patient in concert with physician`s approval or protocol.
• Evaluates patient, documents patient assessment and findings on medical record and consult with physicians regarding appropriate therapy.
• Administers respiratory care and O2 therapy modalities to patient following physician order or protocol. Evaluates results of therapy.
• Serves as a member of the “Code Blue” and “Rapid Response” team. Draws arterial blood gases, maintains patient airways, and provides artificial ventilation.
• Performs arterial puncture on adult, children. Analyzes specimens for blood gas values.
• Performs A-line insertion after appropriate training on adult patients.
• Performs diagnostic studies such as oximetry, CO2 monitoring, O2 consumption, metabolic studies, bedside PFT testing.
• Evaluates patients and consults with physician regarding appropriate therapy.
• Participates in in-service education. Assists physician with bronchoscopy at bedside, fluoroscopy and GI Lab. Appropriately labels and handles specimens.

PHYSICAL AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS:

Sitting up to two hours per day – 1 hour increments. Standing up to 3 hours per day – 1 hour increments. Walking up to 12 hours per day – 15 minute increments. Frequently uses fingers to manipulate small vials, equipment, etc. Continuous use of hands for writing and operating respiratory equipment. Continuous twisting/turning of hands and body to provide patient care. Occasional lifting of boxes and equipment up to 25 pounds. Frequently carrying of objects/equipment up to 25 pounds. Frequent pushing/pulling of equipment or patients up to 300 pounds. Frequent stooping/bending. Occasional crouching. Occasional reaching above shoulder level. Ability to palpate arteries, feel skin temperature, etc. Hearing as it relates to normal, high and low frequencies. Seeing as it relates to general, far, near, color, and peripheral vision. Depth perception.

EDUCATION:

Current License as a Respiratory Therapist. Received credentials through the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC).

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:  

Minimum of 6 months clinical experience, either concurrent with training program or post-graduation. Departmental orientation appropriate for knowledge and expertise.  Certified in Basic Life Support by the American Heart Association.  Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support required within one (1) year of hire.  PALS is recommended.

Please complete your application using your full legal name and current home address.  Be sure to include employment history for the past seven (7) years, including your present employer.  Additionally, you are encouraged to upload a current resume, including all work history, education, and/or certifications and licenses, if applicable.  It is highly recommended that you create a profile at the conclusion of submitting your first application.  Thank you for your interest in St. Luke's!!

St. Luke's University Health Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer.