Respiratory Therapist - In House Agency - Days or Nights - New Orleans Region

Respiratory Therapist

We've made a lot of progress since opening the doors in 1942, but one thing has never changed - our commitment to serve, heal, lead, educate, and innovate. We believe that every award earned, every record broken, and every patient helped is because of the dedicated employees who fill our hallways. At Ochsner, whether you work with patients every day or support those who do, you are making a difference and that matters. Come make a difference at Ochsner Health and discover your future today!

This job is typically 8 weeks in length. This job provides respiratory care treatment, oxygen services, diagnostic testing, and ventilation support services to both in-patients and out-patients ranging in age from neonatal to geriatric. Monitors and weans oxygen therapy and artificial ventilation, draws, analyzes, and reports arterial blood gases and EKGs, and delivers intermittent therapy. Assists with changing of artificial airways and provides services as ordered by a physician and in accordance with established policies and procedures.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties. This job description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the job and position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive or all-inclusive listing of duties and responsibilities. Contents are subject to change at the company's discretion.

Job Description

• Performs routine and advanced therapeutic procedures.
• Reviews and documents all clinical information regarding each patient encounter.
• Educates patients and healthcare team on procedures and treatment plan.
• Performs diagnostic procedures.
• Adapts behavior to the specific patient population, including but not limited to: respect for privacy, method of introduction to the patient, adapting explanation of services or procedures to be performed, requesting permissions, and communication style.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Education Required: Associate's degree in respiratory therapy
• Preferred: Bachelor's degree in respiratory therapy
• Work Experience Required: 2 years respiratory therapy experience
• Certifications Required: Current license as a Respiratory Therapist in the state of practice
• Credentialed by the National Board of Respiratory Care as a Certified or Registered Respiratory Therapist
• Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification from the American Heart Association
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) required within 90 days of hire
• Preferred: Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) Certification

Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

• Must have computer skills and dexterity required for data entry and retrieval of information.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills and the ability to present information clearly and professionally.
• Strong interpersonal skills.

Physical and Environmental Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Very Heavy Work - Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Heavy Work. Duties performed routinely require exposure to blood, body fluid, and tissue. The incumbent works in a patient care area; works in an area where patients enter; works directly with patients; and/or works with specimens that could contain communicable diseases. The incumbent has an occupational risk for exposure to all communicable diseases.

Because the incumbent works within a healthcare setting, there may be occupational risk for exposure to hazardous medications or hazardous waste within the environment through receipt, transport, storage, preparation, dispensing, administration, cleaning, and/or disposal of contaminated waste. The risk level of exposure may increase depending on the essential job duties of the role.