Respiratory Therapist Reg

St. Luke’s Health-Memorial paves the way for quality innovative health care in East Texas and provides more than a quarter of a million patient services each year. With hospitals in Lufkin Livingston and San Augustine St. Luke’s Health-Memorial provides millions of dollars in charity care and community support each year.

JOB SUMMARY / PURPOSE
This position contributes to the mission and vision of CHI Health by providing direct respiratory care in all patient care
areas including general floors, critical care, and emergency room. Assess need, evaluate effectiveness of therapy and
recommends changes in specific modes of therapy to the physician.
ESSENTIAL KEY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Provides direct patient care considering the patient’s needs, which promotes a positive quality work
environment in the provision of quality patient care.
2. In accordance with established policies, administers and monitors critical care procedures such as
mechanical ventilation, physiological monitoring, and diagnostic procedures.
3. Performs assessment of the patient, determining needs related to therapy modality, frequency, and
duration of the treatment regime ordered by the MD based on patient’s age, cognitive and physician
abilities, and/or developmental needs. Is responsible for the communication to the physician of
pertinent patient evaluation data. Makes recommendations for changes in specific modes of therapy.
4. Performs other duties as may be assigned by management.
5. Authorized to make entries in the medical record, consistent with and limited to the scope of the job
duties and any applicable licensure. Observes the response of the patients to therapy, evaluated and
records in the patient’s medical record. Immediately reports adverse reactions.
6. Provides instruction to patients, family, staff, and students about theory, therapy, and equipment used
in Respiratory Therapy procedures and techniques, and documents such as required. Provides
instruction and referral for Home Care patients and their families/care givers using language and
materials appropriate for age, cognitive, and physical abilities, and/or developmental needs.
7. Assumes charge person responsibilities in the supervisor’s absence. Assigns work load, based on staff’s
level of competency.
8. Participates in quality assurance. Provides educational support for staff and clients. Coordinates
continuing education programs for staff. Effectively communicates to supervisor/patients/other staff
pertinent patient information. Serves as a resource person for their staff members.
9. Demonstrates competence and provide for the cleaning, sterilization, assembly and maintenance of
equipment and stocking of supplies in the department and the floors, as necessary and appropriate.
10. Provides complete hand-off report to on-coming personnel and takes a complete report from off-going
personnel. Communicates a professional attitude with patient’s visitors and other hospital personnel
while assuring confidentiality of patient and other hospital information. Must have ability to work
effectively and collaboratively in a diverse and multi-cultural environment.
11. Performs other duties as may be assigned by management.

Required Education for Staff Job Levels

Graduate of an AMA approved 2-4 year, college based program of
Respiratory Therapy.
Licensed by the State of Nebraska with a Respiratory Care Practitioner
License or Iowa Department of Health with a Respiratory Care
Practitioner’s license.

*****Required Licensure and Certifications*****

Registration (RRT) by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
Licensed by the State Nebraska with a Respiratory Care Practitioner
license or Iowa Department of Health with a Respiratory Care
Practitioner’s license.
BLS or BLS instructor certification is required upon hire. Acceptable
credentialing bodies and certifications include the following:
American Red Cross: CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, American
Safety and Health Institute: CPR, PRO, must say “Professional Level-
with AED”, and American Heart Association: Basic Life Support for
Health care Providers.
ACLS or ACLS instructor certification is required within 3 months of
hire date. Acceptable credentialing bodies and certifications include
the following: American Heart Association: Advanced Cardiac Life
Support, American Safety and Health Institute: ACLS, American
College of Surgeons: ATLS (Advanced Trauma Life Support) and
American college of Emergency Physician: ACLS.
PALS (Pediatric Cardiac Life Support) or PALS instructor certification
required within 6 months (dependent of patient population served).
Acceptable credentialing bodies and certifications include the
following: American Heart Association-Pediatric Advanced Life
Support, American Safety and Health Institute-PALS, Emergency
Nurses Association-Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course (ENPC),
American Academy of Pediatrics-Pediatric Education for Prehospital
Professionals (PEPP), and American Academy of Pediatrics/American
College of Emergency Physicians, APLS.
NRP (Neonatal Resuscitations Program) completed within 6 months
of hire (dependent of patient population served)

*****Required Minimum Knowledge, Skills and
Abilities******

Must possess strong knowledge and skill in Respiratory Therapy
procedures and diagnostic testing; strong knowledge of applicable
laws, regulations, guidelines, and professional standards; good
communication skills; must demonstrate personal traits of a high-
level commitment, motivation and energy, team orientation,
professionalism, trust, personal honesty and integrity, and place a
high value on treating others with dignity and respect.