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Student Respiratory Therapist
Career Insights for Respiratory Therapist
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Scorecard
Based on Alabama data
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What they do
A Respiratory Therapist assists patients who have trouble breathing because of a chronic respiratory illness, trauma, or other conditions. Administers tests to diagnose breathing problems, performs treatments to help patients breathe easier, or sets up breathing equipment such as ventilators. Works closely with physicians and other healthcare workers, and may also assist in providing emergency care to patients suffering from heart attacks, drowning, or shock. Works in hospitals; may also provide care and counseling to patients in their homes.
$57,493 / year median in Alabama
+11% projected growth
Job Description
- Formulates an appropriate respiratory care plan based on patient assessment.
- Performs basic emergency, therapeutic, and diagnostic procedures for neonatal, infant, pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients.
- Assembles, checks, and corrects malfunctions and performs quality controls on respiratory care equipment.
- Provides effective education to patients and co-workers as appropriate.
- Maintains clinical and professional competency based upon established standards of practice and student limitations
- Communicates changes in the respiratory care plan with other healthcare team members.
- Actively participates in departmental quality assurance and hospital-wide organizational performance improvement activities.
- Adheres to infection control and safety practices according to policies and procedures.
- Must be able to receive delegation
- Address conflict and stressful situation
- Communicate with different personalities and engage in face to face discussion
- Dealing with unpleasant or verbally/physically aggressive personalities
- Must be able to use electronic mail, telephone and texting
- Must be able to work in groups
- Must be able to perform structured and unstructured work
- Must be meet time pressure and time lines
- Includes possible exposure to human body fluids, disease, infection, lab chemicals and hazardous materials and/or cleaning solutions
- Requires wearing of common protective and safety equipment such as gloves, safety glasses, mask, gowns, etc.
DCH Standards:
- Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
- Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook
- Must adhere to the DCH Behavioral Standards including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self.
- Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
- Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
- All other duties as assigned.
WORK CONTEXT
Environmental Conditions:
Includes exposure to human fluids, disease, infection, lab chemicals and hazard materials and/or cleaning solutions. Requires wearing common protective or safety equipment.
Psychological Conditions:
Includes communicating with all types of personalities and being responsible for outcomes/results.PHYSICAL FACTORS
- Ability to tolerate prolonged periods of standing and walking.
- Ability to lift and carry up to a maximum of 50 pounds with frequent lifting and/or carrying objects weighing up to 10 pounds.
- Able to reach reasonable distances in any direction.
- Ability to run in emergency situations.
- Must be able to move fingers in a coordinated manner.
- Must have ability to feel and perceive temperatures, texture, shape and size with fingertips.
- Physical presence onsite is essential.
- Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range.
- Able to perform the duties with or without reasonable accommodation.
Benefits
- Dental Insurance