Registered or Certified Respiratory Therapist 0.9FTE ...

FTE/Scheduled Weekly Hours: 0.90 / 36 / 1st Shift (United States of America)Monday- Friday 1st shift hours, weeknight call rotation, and occasional weekends. Has the ability for a 4-day work week if scheduling allows. PRIMARY FUNCTIONS Assess, manage, treat, and perform diagnostic evaluation, education, and care for patients with abnormalities and deficiencies associated with the cardiopulmonary system, under the direction of a licensed practitioner. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Performs respiratory therapy procedures and diagnostic testing: • Selects and performs appropriate respiratory modalities and cardiopulmonary treatment as prescribed by a licensed practitioner. Reviews patient medical information to determine condition and requirements for treatment, including modality, medication, and appropriate dosages. • Performs arterial and capillary puncture for blood gas analysis, and performs analysis of blood samples on the blood gas analyzer. • Sets up and operates equipment to ensure specified parameters of treatment. Observes equipment function and adjusts as needed to obtain optimum results in therapy. • Provides emergency airway management. Responds to facility emergency codes as appropriate. • Maintains knowledge of medications, treatments, and their correct administration based on age of the patient and his/her clinical condition, and provides care as appropriate. • Performs clinical assessment skills of the patient and monitors and reports changes in patient conditions and responses to tests and treatments. Also monitors patients' physiological responses to therapy, such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, and blood chemistry changes. • Performs diagnostic testing to help identify and evaluate presence of cardiac and pulmonary disease. 2. Patient education and service: • Formulates teaching plans and patient education based on identified learning needs and evaluates the effectiveness of learning. Involves patient (and his/her family members when appropriate) in the formation of care plan. • Prepares patient for procedures and provides instructions to obtain desired results, gain cooperation, and minimize anxiety. • Assumes responsibility for provision of physical and psychological needs of patients during procedures and testing. • Interviews patient and available clinical data in order to identify and communicate to the licensed practitioner any possible contraindications for procedure. 3. Record keeping, scheduling, and billing: • Schedules respiratory therapy procedures and tests for internal and external customers in cooperation with Resource scheduling. Maintains records and reports for all procedures in a timely and accurate manner. Documents in patient medical record according to current policies and standards. • Responsible for coding signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and procedure in accordance to ICD-10 and CPT coding principles to ensure Medicare and other insurance coverage. Responsible for obtaining patient waivers when procedures are not deemed as medically necessary. • Generates charges accurately and within departmental guidelines. • Assists with review of department policies and procedures. 4. Quality and Safety: • Operates and maintains equipment within the department in a safe manner. Inspects and tests equipment to ensure safe and proper function, performs scheduled maintenance duties, and notifies Manager when replacement or repair is needed and of any malfunction. • Maintains supply of inventory for the department and orders supplies and medications as needed. Communicates with Supervisor regarding replacement needs for non-stock items. • Applies standard precautions when performing tests and procedures, in order to minimize exposure to patients, self, and others. • Performs calibration, controls, and required equipment preventive maintenance in accordance with manufacturer recommendations. • Performs arterial and capillary blood gases according to safety standards and procedures. 5. Professional development: • Maintains all licensure requirements and seeks opportunities for further education in respiratory therapy field. • Maintains current certification for BLS, ACLS, NRP, and PALS. 6. Respiratory Therapy Performance Improvement: • Actively participates in departmental performance improvement activities, through dashboard, DO-IT projects, and other requests as identified. 7. Supervision: • Required to supervise students when applicable. 8. In the absence of the manager or lead, may be designated as the interim lead. • Works with the medical director of respiratory therapy • Fields any issues that arise in the absence of the manager or lead within the scope of practice. • Schedules according to patient load as needed • Communicates with the staff and providers as necessary under the direction of the medical director. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 1. Education, Experience, and Training a. Must have successfully completed formal Respiratory Therapy training in an accredited respiratory therapy program and be Registered or Certified as a Respiratory therapist. Must be currently licensed to practice as a Respiratory Care Practitioner in Iowa. b. Ability to learn and navigate computer systems including the online training modules, the employee timesheet and the performance appraisal system. Job specific systems are also required. c. Must be able to read, speak, and write fluent English. d. Previous experience in the area of Respiratory Therapy is preferred. 2. Physical Requirements a. Sitting - Approximately 25% of shift. b. Standing- Approximately 50% of shift. c. Walking - Approximately 25% of shift. d. Lifting - Approximately 35 pounds. Must use, and require staff to use, when in hospital and pre-hospital settings, proper body mechanics and ergonomics and, as applicable, lifting/moving devices. e. Twisting - Infrequent. f. Bending - Moderate. g. Squat/Kneel - Approximately 15% of shift. WORK ENVIRONMENT 1. May come in contact with hazardous chemicals or treatment modalities. 2. The possibility exists of exposure to communicable disease due to working in a healthcare environment. 3. Involvement in patient care may result in unavoidable work-related illnesses. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. A review of this description has excluded the marginal functions of the position that are incidental to the performance of fundamental job duties. All duties and responsibilities are essential job functions. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by his/her supervisor and manager. Requirements are representative of the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee will possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship with the Waverly Health Center. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. A review of this description has excluded the marginal functions of the position that are incidental to the performance of fundamental job duties. All duties and responsibilities are essential job functions. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by his/her manager. Requirements are representative of the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee will possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship with the Waverly Health Center.

Created: 2026-03-04