Position: Respiratory Therapist
Department: Therapy
Reports To: Director of Nursing
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
General Purpose
The Respiratory Therapist is responsible for the assessment, treatment, and management of residents with respiratory disorders and cardiopulmonary conditions within the skilled nursing facility. Working under physician orders and in collaboration with the interdisciplinary care team, the Respiratory Therapist delivers evidence-based respiratory care services including ventilator management, oxygen therapy, airway clearance techniques, and pulmonary rehabilitation. This role is integral to supporting residents’ respiratory health, functional recovery, and overall quality of life in a compassionate, resident-centered environment.
Responsibilities
Resident Assessment & Care Planning
- Perform comprehensive respiratory assessments upon admission and as clinically indicated, including evaluation of breathing patterns, lung sounds, oxygenation status, and cardiopulmonary function.
- Develop, implement, and modify individualized respiratory care plans in collaboration with physicians, nursing staff, and the interdisciplinary care team.
- Participate in care plan meetings to communicate respiratory status, treatment goals, and clinical progress to the resident, family, and care team.
- Monitor and document changes in residents’ respiratory status, reporting significant findings to the attending physician and nursing staff promptly.
Respiratory Treatment & Therapies
- Administer prescribed respiratory treatments including bronchodilator therapy, aerosol medications, nebulizer treatments, and metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) in accordance with physician orders.
- Perform airway clearance techniques including chest physiotherapy, postural drainage, high-frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO), and suctioning as indicated.
- Manage and monitor oxygen therapy delivery systems, including nasal cannulas, face masks, high-flow oxygen, and oxygen concentrators.
- Provide pulmonary rehabilitation services, including breathing exercises, pursed-lip breathing, diaphragmatic training, and exercise conditioning for residents with COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, and other chronic respiratory conditions.
- Administer and interpret pulmonary function tests, oximetry monitoring, capnography, and arterial blood gas (ABG) results as ordered and within scope of practice.
Ventilator Management
- Manage and monitor residents on mechanical ventilation, including invasive and non-invasive ventilation modalities such as BiPAP and CPAP.
- Perform ventilator circuit checks, equipment maintenance, and troubleshooting to ensure safe and uninterrupted ventilatory support.
- Implement and monitor ventilator weaning protocols in collaboration with the physician and interdisciplinary team.
- Provide tracheostomy care, including inner cannula cleaning, cuff management, and coordination of decannulation planning as appropriate.
- Respond promptly to ventilator alarms and respiratory emergencies, initiating appropriate interventions and notifying clinical staff as required.
Clinical Documentation & Compliance
- Maintain accurate, timely, and complete documentation of all respiratory assessments, treatments, and clinical outcomes in the electronic health record (EHR) in accordance with facility policy and regulatory standards.
- Ensure all respiratory care services are provided in compliance with physician orders, CMS regulations, state practice standards, and facility policies and procedures.
- Support accurate MDS documentation related to respiratory diagnoses, treatments, and functional status to ensure appropriate PDPM reimbursement classification.
- Participate in facility surveys, clinical audits, and quality improvement reviews related to respiratory care services.
Equipment Management
- Inspect, clean, maintain, and troubleshoot respiratory therapy equipment, including ventilators, nebulizers, oxygen delivery systems, and airway clearance devices.
- Ensure all respiratory equipment is functioning properly, calibrated as required, and maintained in accordance with manufacturer specifications and infection control standards.
- Coordinate with vendors and suppliers for equipment repairs, replacements, and preventive maintenance as needed.
- Maintain adequate inventory of respiratory therapy supplies and communicate supply needs to the appropriate department.
Education & Interdisciplinary Collaboration
- Provide education to residents and families regarding respiratory conditions, treatment plans, home oxygen use, inhaler technique, and self-management strategies to support safe transitions and long-term wellness.
- Educate nursing and clinical staff on respiratory care protocols, equipment operation, and recognition of respiratory distress or deterioration.
- Collaborate effectively with physicians, nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, dietary, and social services to deliver coordinated, whole-person care.
- Participate in facility in-service education programs, staff meetings, and quality improvement initiatives as directed.
Emergency Response
- Respond to in-facility respiratory emergencies, including respiratory arrest and acute respiratory distress, providing appropriate life-saving interventions within scope of practice.
- Maintain current BLS and, where applicable, ACLS certification to ensure readiness for emergency response.
- Collaborate with nursing and medical staff during emergency situations, providing respiratory expertise and support as part of the emergency response team.
Qualifications
- Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Respiratory Care from a CoARC-accredited program required.
- Current Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential issued by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) required; Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) considered for candidates actively pursuing RRT.
- Current, unrestricted Respiratory Therapist license in the state of practice required.
- Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required; Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) preferred.
- Minimum of 1–2 years of respiratory therapy experience preferred; experience in a skilled nursing, long-term care, or post-acute setting a strong advantage.
- Demonstrated competency in mechanical ventilation management, non-invasive ventilation, tracheostomy care, and airway clearance techniques.
- Knowledge of CMS regulations, PDPM respiratory clinical categories, and documentation standards applicable to skilled nursing facilities preferred.
- Strong clinical assessment, critical thinking, and communication skills with a compassionate, resident-centered approach to care.
- Regular and reliable attendance is required to perform the essential functions of this position.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Frequent standing, walking, bending, reaching, and moving throughout the facility during resident care activities.
- Ability to lift and maneuver respiratory equipment and supplies weighing up to 50 lbs.
- Manual dexterity required for the operation of respiratory therapy equipment, ventilator management, and airway procedures.
- Exposure to residents with infectious respiratory conditions; adherence to standard and transmission-based precautions and appropriate PPE use is required at all times.
- Flexible scheduling may be required, including weekends, holidays, and on-call availability based on resident care needs.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Work occurs throughout the skilled nursing facility, including resident rooms, rehabilitation areas, and clinical support spaces.
- Regular exposure to residents with complex medical and respiratory conditions in a healthcare environment requiring strict adherence to infection control, safety, and HIPAA protocols.
- Collaborative, interdisciplinary care environment with frequent interaction with residents, families, nursing staff, physicians, and therapists.
- May be exposed to respiratory secretions, aerosolized medications, and mechanical equipment; appropriate PPE and safety precautions are required at all times.
Disclaimer
Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Critical features of this job are described under various headings above. They may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons. The above statements are strictly intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of employees in this position.
