Respiratory Therapist

Job Description

Northside Hospital is award-winning, state-of-the-art, and continually growing. Constantly expanding the quality and reach of our care to our patients and communities creates even more opportunity for the best healthcare professionals in Atlanta and beyond. Discover all the possibilities of a career at Northside today.

Provides respiratory care for patients in adult, neonatal care, and/or outpatient CPAP centers . Employees may perform ECG, EEG, pulmonary function testing, & bronchoscopy and any other testing as deemed within the scope of practice by national standards.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Assesses patient's respiratory status by incorporating relevant clinical information including vital signs, chest X-rays, and ABG values.
2. Sets-up and monitors mechanical ventilators and performs duties associated with airway management and tracheal suctioning.
3. Performs arterial punctures and obtains arterial blood samples from arterial lines. Performs analysis of blood gases. May insert arterial lines after completion of competency.
4. May attend high-risk deliveries as member of Neonatal Resuscitation Team with NRP certification after completion of NICU-specific competency.
5. Performs noninvasive oxygen and carbon dioxide monitoring.
6. May perform pulmonary function testing and cardiopulmonary exercise testing after completion of competency.
7. May perform endotracheal intubation after completion of competency.
8. May assist physicians with bronchoscopies in critical care areas after completion of competency.
9. Practices proper safety techniques in accordance with hospital and departmental policies and procedures. Immediately reports any mechanical or electrical equipment malfunctions, unsafe conditions, or employee/patient/visitor injury accident to Manager.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES, LICENSE OR CERTIFICATION REQUIRED:

1. Must be a graduate from an accredited respiratory therapy/care education program.
2. Licensed as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) from Georgia Composite Medical Board.
3. Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRT) credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC)
4. Must hold American Heart Association’s Basic Cardiac Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS).

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES/LICENSE OR CERTIFICATION PREFERRED:

1. Additional Life Support credential (PALS, NRP, etc.) or other clinical specialty certifications in specific units.
2. Visual color acuity depending on the role in specific units.
3. CPFT credential from NBRC if working in the PFT Lab.