Respiratory Therapist

J  o  b    D  e  s  c  r  i  p  t  i  o  n

JOB INFORMATION

Effective Date:

3/1/2024

Entity:

Wisconsin

Job Code:

520002A

Job Title:

Respiratory Therapist

FLSA Exemption Status:

Non-Exempt

Management Level:

Individual Contributor

JOB SUMMARY

The Respiratory Therapist provides education, treatment and diagnostic respiratory services with patients and families in a variety of areas across UW Health, including but not limited to intensive care units, emergency departments, general care, perioperative, procedure areas, and others as required. This position requires clinical assessment skills and the ability to make appropriate clinical decisions and modify care according to clinical protocols. This position requires excellent communication skills and the ability to work with the inter-disciplinary team to ensure high quality patient care. The Respiratory Therapist acts as resource to physicians and health care professionals ensuring orders are concurrent with policies and procedures.  

This position may function as a "Charge Therapist" with responsibility for ensuring adequate number of respiratory care staff to cover patient care areas. Additionally, this position may assist with writing departmental policies and procedures, development of protocols, orientation and education and training for respiratory care staff, students and health care professionals.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

•

Performs comprehensive patient assessment and review of the patient’s medical record to recommend and provide clinically indicated therapy with the patient and family.

•

Performs and/or teaches airway clearance and volume expansion modalities for the purpose of assisting the patient in the mobilization of bronchial secretions or increasing lung volume.

•

Performs procedures related to the care and maintenance of an airway.

•

Initiates and maintains ventilatory support.

•

Initiates and maintains medical gas therapy including oxygen, heliox and nitric oxide.

•

Performs and/or teaches aerosolized medication delivery.

•

Performs responsibilities of shift lead (“Charge Therapist”) as assigned/when necessary.

•

Orients new staff to the department and services provided.

•

Assists with training students within the different disciplines.

•

Assists with the development and delivery of departmental education and competency assessments.

•

Keeps up to date with departmental information disseminated through various media.

•

Assists in writing or revising policies and procedures.

•

Performs complete and accurate documentation, including charging within the electronic medical record.

•

Participates in education and demonstrates competencies.

•

Serves on committees/councils as requested.

•

Assists, as requested, in research activities which Respiratory Care Services is involved or requested to provide assistance or expertise.

•

Actively participates in evaluation of products and therapeutic modalities.

•

Performs special projects as assigned

As needed, additional responsibilities reasonably within the scope of duties and physical requirements may be assigned.  ALL DUTIES AND REQUIREMENTS MUST BE PERFORMED CONSISTENT WITH THE UW HEALTH PERFORMANCE STANDARDS AND RESPECT FOR PEOPLE COMMITTMENTS.

X

Clinical

(Select all that apply)

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Graduate of a Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) accredited School for Respiratory Therapy

Required

Bachelor's Degree

in Respiratory Therapy

Preferred

Recent respiratory therapist experience

Preferred

Licensed as a Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) in the State of Wisconsin

Upon Hire

Required

Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) Credentialed by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC)

Upon Hire

Required

Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) Credentialed by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) 

Upon Hire

Required

BLS/CPR Certified

Upon Hire

Required

Registered Respiratory Therapist - Neonatal/Pediatric Specialty (RRT-NPS)

Preferred

Registered Respiratory Therapist - Adult Critical Care Specialty (RRT-ACCS)

Preferred

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certification

Preferred

Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) Certification 

Preferred

Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Certification

Preferred

LICENSE, CERTIFICATIONS, AND REGISTRATIONS MUST BE MAINTAINED PER UW HEALTH POLICY. 

•

Ability to effectively educate others

•

Ability to perform Respiratory Therapy procedures independently and have good problem-solving skills

•

Knowledge of home respiratory equipment

•

Knowledge of Respiratory Assist Device (RAD) guidelines and Medicare regulations

•

Knowledge of current disease management guidelines

•

Excellent verbal and written skills

•

Effective in time management and organizational skills

•

Ability to work in a team environment and collaborate with a variety of professionals and home care companies

•

Ability to display leadership and professionalism while in the workforce

•

Ability to interpret selective laboratory and diagnostic tests

•

Ability to collaborate with all members of the healthcare team and external customers

•

Demonstrates ability for complex clinical decision making

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS

☐

Sedentary: Ability to lift up to 10 pounds maximum and occasionally lifting and/or carrying such articles as dockets, ledgers and small tools. Although a sedentary job is defined as one, which involves sitting, a certain amount of walking and standing is often necessary in carrying out job duties. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and other sedentary criteria are met.

Up to 10#

Negligible

Negligible

☐

Light: Ability to lift up to 20 pounds maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 pounds. Even though the weight lifted may only be negligible amount, a job is in this category when it requires walking or standing to a significant degree.

up to 20#

Up to 10# or requires significant walking or standing or requires pushing/pulling of arm/leg controls.

Negligible or constant push/pull of items of negligible weight

☒

Medium: Ability to lift up to 50 pounds maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

20-50#

10-25#

Negligible-10#

☐

Heavy: Ability to lift up to 100 pounds maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying objects weighing up to 50 pounds.

50-100#

25-50#

10-20#

☐

Very Heavy: Ability to lift over 100 pounds with frequent lifting and/or carrying objects weighing over 50 pounds.

Over 100#

Over 50#

Over 20#

Other - list any other physical requirements or bona fide occupational qualifications not indicated above:

Over 50 lbs.

UW Health does not require, nor does it expect that its employees lift more than 50 lbs unassisted. Objects in excess of 50 lbs should be lifted or moved with mechanical means or through a team lift. Employees in patient care areas are expected to utilize mechanical lifts and adhere to the "Use of Mechanical Lifts (Liko)" policy in the Patient Services Policy and Procedure Manual.

Note: The purpose of this document is to describe the general nature and level of work performed by personnel so classified; it is not intended to serve as an inclusive list of all responsibilities associated with this position.

THE EMPLOYEE MUST BE ABLE TO COMPLETE ALL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB WITH OR WITHOUT AN APPROVED ACCOMODATION. Note: The purpose of this document is to describe the general nature and level of work performed by personnel so classified; it is not intended to serve as an inclusive list of all responsibilities associated with this position.