Student Respiratory Therapist

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

JOB INFORMATION

Effective Date:

11/1/2022

Entity:

Wisconsin

Job Code:

520006

Job Title:

Student Respiratory Therapist

FLSA Exemption Status:

Non-Exempt

Management Level:

Student

JOB SUMMARY

The Student Respiratory Therapist (SRT) assists licensed respiratory therapists by providing the most basic respiratory therapy treatments and procedures.  The SRT performs patient and family care and documentation at the most basic performance level under the direct, immediate, and on-premise supervision of a licensed respiratory therapist.  The incumbent performs airway clearance, administers aerosolized medications, and assists with oxygen therapy administration/transport. 

SRT's must be actively enrolled and completing coursework in an accredited Respiratory Therapy program.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

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The incumbent performs the following job responsibilities when working in the Respiratory Therapy Department.

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Perform and teach airway clearance modalities for the purpose of assisting the patient in the mobilization of bronchial secretions.
o Postural drainage with percussion
o Positive expiratory pressure (PEP) therapy
o High frequency chest compression therapy
o Metaneb Therapy
o Acapella therapy
o Aerobika therapy

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

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Provide thorough and complete SBAR report to therapists at their shift.

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Assist with Respiratory Therapy equipment stocking, delivery and reprocessing.

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Initiate and maintain oxygen therapy systems to treat or reverse hypoxemia, provide supplemental oxygenation for post anesthesia or myocardial infarction.

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Provide nursing staff with information as needed to assist them in oxygen administration.

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Provide appropriate transport oxygen set up.

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Perform and teach aerosolized medication therapies for the treatment of obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchospasm, wheezing, aid in mucociliary clearance, treatment of pulmonary infections, and treatment of hypoxemia of an unknown etiology.

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Deliver aerosolized medications via small volume nebulizer, metered dose inhaler (MDI) and dry powder inhaler (DPI)

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Annually demonstrate competency for procedures determined by UW Health and the Respiratory Therapy Department, including but not limited to:
o Basic life support
o Hospital safety procedures
o Hospital infection control policies and procedures

•

Keep up to date with departmental education opportunities to include information sheets, fact sheets, e-mail, and communication tools such as the shift huddle and Tell Me Tuesday (TMT).

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Follow departmental guidelines and immediately inform the therapist covering the unit of any changes in the patient’s respiratory status such as:
o Any adverse reaction to therapy
o Patients that refuse or are not available for therapy
o Patients that receive therapy > 1 hour past the scheduled time
o Oxygen saturation below 90% or below the range specified by the orders
o Acute changes in the patient’s status
o Patients who have been discharged or transferred to another unit

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

Currently enrolled and actively completing coursework in a Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) accredited School for Respiratory Therapy

Required

Provision of care with patients

Preferred

Basic Life Support (BLS) provider meeting AHA standards

Upon Hire

Required

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

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Excellent verbal and written communication skills

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

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Demonstrates basic knowledge and skills to work with all patient care populations:
o Pediatric
o Adolescents
o Adult
o Geriatric

•

Acts in a courteous, sincere, and sensitive manner

•

Demonstrates a self-directed work effort

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS

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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

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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.