Job Title : Registered Respiratory Therapist 1 Job Summary :

• The Registered Respiratory Therapist participates in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of patients with pulmonary disorders. Therapists are responsible for the initiation and management of Life Support Systems under the direction of the physician. The RRT may perform all tasks included in their license practice act within department guidelines and policies. The RRT must function with limited supervision, relying on their education and the guidance of the physician and supervisory staff.

Experience, Education, Training, Special Skills, and Licensure :

•  
• Associates Degree or equivalent (10 Years experience as licensed therapist substituted for Associates Degree)
• Pass both portions of NBRC Advanced Practitioner (Registry) Exam
•  
• Current Louisiana State License or permit issued by LSBME and BLS certification ACLS within 1 year of hire

Job Function :

1. Compliance/Quality
   1. Observes and adheres to all departmental and hospital policies and procedures, and follows all safety, quality assurance, and infection control standards.
   2. Efficiently records pertinent patient care data utilizing the computerized medical record or manual documentation in order to promote timely and efficient access to required information throughout the organization. Preserves the confidentiality of data and information identified as sensitive for the protection of patient dignity and privacy.
2. Patient Care Delivery
   1. Consults with physicians concerning respiratory care procedures, initiates bronchodilator therapy in situations of respiratory distress, attends Code Blue and MET calls, transports patients requiring respiratory assistance.
   2. Checks patient oxygen equipment, spot-checks respiratory care equipment, nebulizers, while ensuring proper equipment operation and the provision of high quality health care services.
   3. Prepares, initiates, and monitors patient respiratory ventilator system, and ensures adequate ventilation levels during cardiopulmonary resuscitation and routine mechanical ventilation in an effort to ensure continuity and quality in the provision of patient care services.
3. Collaboration and Partnership
   1. Administers and assesses respiratory therapy procedures (e.g., handheld nebulizers, mechanical ventilation, chest physiotherapy, , nasotracheal and tracheal suctioning), assesses therapy effectiveness, and prepares equipment and medications following physician's orders in a professional and considerate manner.
   2. Act as a professional- Assesses patient condition and compliance recommending appropriate therapy and having the ability to interact with my peers, nursing and medical staff in a professional manner. Ensuring the best patient outcomes while maintaining a positive work atmosphere.
4. Professional Development
   1. Draws from in-dwelling lines and obtains, analyzes, and interprets arterial samples in accordance with departmental policy and hospital standards. Assists in the education of respiratory employees on proper arterial puncture procedures in an effort to ensure that high quality respiratory procedures are conducted.
   2. Maintains competency in Arterial Line insertion, intubation and advanced ventilation to include but not limited to oscillation and nitric oxide. Complete competency assessment on peers and students. Teach at least one department in-service per year. Maintains BLS, ACLS and PALS.
   3. Work to improve and further the profession by serving on departmental/hospital committees, completing community service projects or by maintaining membership in professional organizations that reflect positively on the respiratory therapy profession or this organization.
5. Other Duties As Assigned
   1. Performs other duties as assigned or requested.

The Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System is a leading health care innovator in Louisiana and Mississippi. We bring together outstanding clinicians, the most advanced technology and leading research to ensure that our patients receive the highest quality and safest care possible.

This commitment is grounded in a history that is more than 100 years old, but reflected today by our strategic vision of transforming healthcare through superior performance and excellent patient care.
In the last fiscal year, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System had:

• 1,747 Licensed Beds
• 65,322 Discharges
• 44,592 OR Procedures
• 10,827 Full Time Employees
• 331,360 Inpatient Days
• 1,915 Active Medical Staff
• 229,296 Emergency Visits

As a nonprofit, mission-focused Catholic healthcare ministry, we give special attention to our citizens who are most in need. During the most recent fiscal year, we provided more than $39 million in unreimbursed care and community support to the underprivileged.

Our health system is one of the largest in Louisiana, with hospitals, clinics and physicians located throughout Louisiana and in Mississippi. In fact, we provide care to almost half of Louisiana’s citizens, and serve in Mississippi's largest metropolitan area. Because of our size and the partnerships we have with other local organizations, we are able to pool our resources and share cost and service efficiencies and learn from each other, thereby accelerating our ability to improve care and solve challenges.

Since our founding in Monroe, Louisiana in 1911, we have been blessed by the guidance of the Franciscan Sisters. Through their guidance and steadfast example, we have committed to assure that we perpetuate their healing ministry for another hundred years. It is a noble purpose we strive to fulfill every day.

Headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, we serve patients across Louisiana and Mississippi through a network of hospitals, clinics, physicians, elderly housing and integrated information system. Our health system has partnered with the State of Louisiana as it transforms its healthcare delivery system. The partnership includes inpatient acute care and primary care delivery in Baton Rouge and Bogalusa.

Following in the footsteps of our founders, the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady, our team members and physicians are called to provide high quality care and compassion to all people, especially those most in need.

As we look to the future of our healthcare ministry, we chart our course by “going where we are called.”