Respiratory Therapist, RRT

Overview

St. John's Riverside Hospital is a leader in providing the highest quality, compassionate health care utilizing the latest, state-of-the-art medical technology. Serving the Westchester community from Yonkers to the river town communities of Hastings-on-Hudson, Ardsley, Dobbs Ferry and Irvington, St. John's Riverside has been and continues to be a unique and comprehensive network of medical professionals dedicated to a tradition of service that spans generations.

St. John’s has been an integral part of the community since the 1890's and its’ commitment to provide the community with the most advanced medical services available continues to be the hospitals’ vision, mission and value. St. John's Riverside Hospital built itself around an early foundation of nursing and community service. In 1894, the Cochran School of Nursing, the oldest hospital-based school of nursing in the metropolitan area, was founded, thus making the St. John's Nursing Staff more than just the backbone of the hospital, but the heart and soul. St. John’s dedicated nurses give superior attention to those who need it most with a strong emphasis on patient and family-focused nursing care.

St. John’s Riverside Hospital staff is committed to making life better for all patients. The hospital continues to elevate the services provided with the goal of increasing the quality of life for all who entrust St. John's Riverside Hospital to their care.

St. John’s Riverside Hospital is an equal opportunity employer. We maintain a policy of non-discrimination in providing equal employment to all qualified employees and candidates regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, or other legally protected classification in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local law.

Personalized care together with advanced technology is what it means to be Community Strong

Responsibilities

The Respiratory Therapist is responsible for assessing, treating and caring for patients with breathing disorders. Performs all Respiratory Therapy procedures as practiced and approved by the hospital including the supervision of respiratory therapy technicians. Initiate and conduct therapeutic procedures; maintain patient records; and select, assemble, check and operate equipment.

• Set up and operate devices such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, and aerosol generators, following specified parameters of treatment.
• Provide emergency care, including artificial respiration, intubation and assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
• Determine requirement for treatment, such as type, method and duration of therapy, precautions to be taken, and medication and dosages, compatible with physician orders.
• Monitor patients’ physiological responses to therapy, such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, and blood chemistry changes, and consult with the physician if adverse reaction occurs.
• Read prescription, measure arterial blood gases, and review patient information to assess patient condition.
• Work as part of a team of physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals to manage patient care.
• Enforce safety rules and ensure careful adherence to physicians’ orders.
• Maintain charts that contain patients’ pertinent identification and therapy information.
• Inspect, clean, test, and maintain respiratory therapy equipment to ensure equipment is functioning safely and efficiently, ordering repairs when necessary.
• Educate patients and their family about their conditions and teach appropriate disease management techniques, such as breathing exercises and the use of medications and respiratory equipment.
• Explain treatment procedures to patients to gain cooperation and allay fear.
• Performs arterial blood gases and relays blood gas analysis results to the provider.
• Perform pulmonary function tests and sleep diagnostic screenings.
• Perform bronchopulmonary drainage and assist or instruct patients in performance breathing exercise.
• Trains and educates respiratory care practices to the community and other health care personnel.
• Teach, train, supervise, and utilize the assistance of students, respiratory therapy technicians, and nursing students. (applies only to RRT).
• Use a variety of testing technique to assist doctors in the cardiac and pulmonary research to diagnose disorders.
• Responds to emergency calls and rapid responses.
• Conducts tests, such as stress testing and lung capacity tests, to evaluate patients’ cardiopulmonary functions.

Qualifications