Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY:
The role of the Registered Respiratory Therapist is to evaluate, treat and maintain cardiopulmonary function for patients. The Registered Respiratory Therapists practices in critical care, wards, L&D, NICU, and Emergency Department & Operating Room.The Registered Respiratory Therapist is a Regulated Health Professional under the College of Respiratory Therapists. They adhere to the Standards of Practice set out by the College of Respiratory Therapists. The Respiratory Therapists are authorized to perform five of the controlled acts under the RHPA in the Adult, Pediatric and Neonate population. Three of the acts require additional authorizing mechanisms such as direct orders or medical directives.QUALIFICATIONS:
-Community College \xe2\x80\x93 3 year diploma in Respiratory Therapy
-Regulated Health Professional with College of Respiratory Therapists
-Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Neonatal Resuscitation Program Intubation Certification, Arterial Line Insertion Certification
-Professional Membership in Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists, Respiratory Therapists of Ontario
-The position can be a new graduate from a recognized college of Respiratory Therapists
-Must be a graduate of a recognized college of Respiratory Therapists and registered with the College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario (CRTO).
-Demonstrated knowledge, sensitivity and expertise in the care of seniors and their families
-Gentle Persuasive Approach training preferred
-Skills & knowledge to include ventilator management, airway management, arterial blood gas procurement, perform diagnostic testing, perform and provide therapeutic management.
-Applies critical thinking to integrate knowledge and technical skills in the provision of respiratory care
-Demonstrates exceptional prioritization and organizational skills in order to provide corporate service to meet all patient presentations and urgencies
-Ability to work under stress and be capable of coping with complex and/or competing priorities
-Must possess excellent communication skills
-Work effectively and collaboratively with the inter-professional health care teamRESPONSIBILITIES:
-Manages the ventilated patient through protocols, medical directives
-Insertion of arterial lines and procurement of arterial blood gases
-Arterial Blood Gases: performs and accesses sample for analysis
-Performs airway management: to include intubation; assists with difficult intubations
-Assists with Bronchoscopies
-Administers and maintains oxygen therapy & aerosol therapy
-Management of non-invasive therapy (BIPAP, SIPAP, Optiflow)
-Member of the Cardiac Arrest Team/Neonatal Response Team
-Manages transportation of the ventilated patient: internal and external
-Performs respiratory assessments
-Performs suctioning
-Performs tracheostomy tube changes
-Participates in Research projects; Quality Improvement projects
-Conduct a patient assessment which includes; a) taking patient history b) conducting a cardio-respiratory assessment c) conducting a physical exam of other body systems d) Assessment of relevant diagnostic testing, information and records e) Assessment of a chest radiograph f) Perform chest auscultation g) Develop respiratory treatment plan and discharge plan
-Administer pharmaceutical substances for specific applications which includes; a) validating medical orders b) selecting the appropriate method of administration c) administering substances by inhalation
-Performs Diagnostic Testing e.g. bedside spirometry, arterial blood gases, MIPS/MEPS
-Performs overnight oximetry
-Management of non -invasive therapy: Optiflow, NCAP, BIPAP (home)
-Performs Breath stacking techniques
-Assists with Bronchoscopies
-Assist with medical gases e.g. VGL
-Maintain ventilation in the Post Anaesthetic Care Unit
-Provides clinical teaching, mentoring and supervision of student Respiratory Therapists and other Health Care Professionals as required
-Completes documentation as per clinical standards
-Maintains workload statistics for MIS
-Communicates with the interdisciplinary team & completes Transfer of Accountability with the team
-Maintains accurate records of patient care, diagnostic reports, statistical data, preventative maintenance and related information
-Troubleshoots and maintains respiratory equipment - e.g., Ventilators, BIPAP
-Provides operational verification, routine troubleshooting and maintenance of respiratory equipment

St Joseph\'s Healthcare Hamilton