The Respiratory Therapist (RT) is responsible for providing specialized respiratory care to residents in the ventilator unit of the nursing and rehabilitation facility. The RT delivers treatment, manages ventilators, monitors resident conditions, and collaborates with the interdisciplinary care team to ensure optimal respiratory health and safety for all residents requiring ventilator support or advanced respiratory therapy.
Provide comprehensive respiratory therapy care for residents on mechanical ventilation, tracheostomy care, and other respiratory needs.
Initiate, monitor, and manage ventilator settings in accordance with physician orders and facility protocols.
Perform routine and emergency tracheostomy care, suctioning, and airway management.
Conduct respiratory assessments, including breath sounds, vital signs, and ventilator parameter checks, documenting findings accurately.
Respond promptly to ventilator alarms, code situations, and respiratory distress.
Administer oxygen therapy, nebulizer treatments, CPAP/BiPAP therapy, and other respiratory modalities as prescribed.
Collaborate with physicians, nurses, and the interdisciplinary team to develop individualized care plans.
Educate residents, families, and staff on respiratory health, ventilator care, and safety practices.
Maintain and troubleshoot respiratory therapy equipment to ensure proper functioning and compliance with safety standards.
Adhere to infection control policies and ensure proper cleaning/disinfection of respiratory equipment.
Participate in care plan meetings, quality assurance activities, and regulatory compliance initiatives.
Document all treatments, assessments, and interventions in the electronic medical record (EMR) in a timely and accurate manner.
Support facility emergency preparedness protocols related to respiratory care.
