Job Summary
Administer respiratory therapy to patients
as prescribed by Physicians, which involves employing various techniques and
equipment, making essential adjustments, continuously monitoring
patients.
Support the mission and vision of the American University of Beirut
Medical Center (AUBMC) and of the Inhalation Therapy
Department.
Essential Functions / Task Groups
Perform therapeutic & diagnostic modalities:
1. Administer oxygen to patients as requested by the Physician by using
a variety of techniques and set up and operate the necessary oxygen delivery
system.
2. Apply mechanical ventilators (invasive and non-invasive,
conventional and non-conventional).
3. Perform daily rounds on all
patients, both with and without the medical team, and attend to all patient
areas as needed. Monitor respiratory parameters during patients’ transport from
one unit to another.
4. Monitor and assess patients' reactions to respiratory
therapy, and when needed, make essential adjustments to equipment and treatments
while collaborating with the attending Physician.
5. Respond to all
emergency resuscitation calls which may involve intubating patients, securing
endotracheal/nasotracheal tubes, and providing basic life
support.
6. Provide advanced medical gas therapies, including the
administration of inhaled nitric oxide and inhaled heliox.
7. Deliver a
range of respiratory services, including tracheo-bronchial aspiration, various
forms of respiratory therapy services such as nitric oxide and heliox gas
therapy, and conduct diagnostic assessments, including the determination of lung
mechanics.
8. Conduct arterial blood gas withdrawal and analysis in
compliance with policy and procedure, as requested by the
Physician.
9. Notify promptly the Nurse Manager, Medical Director, or
attending physician in charge of any emergencies or abnormalities in patients or
equipment; this includes equipment malfunctions or patients experiencing
difficulty breathing, among other issues.
10. Maintain a daily record of
all services provided to patients, documenting them in both the patients' charts
and the department's files and check relevant equipment used and make the
necessary financial charges according to the hospital fee
schedule.
11. Participate in training, education, orientation, and
in-service programs for both current and new employees. Address staff conflicts
and adapt processes and assignments in response to changes in the care
environment.
12. Perform other related duties as required by direct
Manager.
Critical Competencies
Client Focus, Achievement Orientation,
Safety and Health Management, Problem Solving, Technical Expertise, Information
and Records Administration, Quality Management, Applied Technology, Health
education, prevention and promotion, Patient Assessment, Plan of Care,
Organizational Awareness, Initiative, Developing Others, Resource Management,
Communication Skills, Team Skills, Computer Skills, English Comprehension.
Knowledge / Know-How
Knowledge:
Advanced
knowledge in the use of a wide variety of equipment and therapeutic techniques
is desirable.
Education:
Minimum Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Respiratory Therapy or related field. (e.g. BS
Nursing)
Preferred Education: Master’s Degree.
Experience:
Minimum Experience: 2-5 years as a Respiratory Therapist Intern or
in Critical Care units at AUBMC or 3-5 years in a university medical center
field in a similar position.
Languages:
Minimum
Languages: Arabic and English (IET score >/= 500)
Computer
Skills:
Proficient in the use of Microsoft applications as well as
other needed software and databases
Impact of Actions / Decisions
Inadequate treatment followed will affect
negatively the wellbeing of the patient and will affect the image of AUBMC as
well as patient outcome and satisfaction.
Job Structure
Use logic and reasoning to identify the
strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to
essentials tasks and problems.
Managerial / Supervisory Responsibility
Reporting Channel:
1st Level: Nurse
Manager Inhalation Therapy
2nd Level: Nurse Leader for Clinical
Affairs
Supervisory Channel:
Provide work direction to Respiratory
Therapy Interns.
Job Characteristics
Physical Effort: |
Occasional Physical Effort |
Work Schedule: |
Shift Basis and/or On-Call |
Working Conditions: |
Exposed to patient
element |