Travel Long Term Acute Care Registered Respiratory Therapist
Des Moines, IA
Talent4Health
3x12 hrs, Nights

Job Title: Respiratory Therapist

Contract Duration: 13 weeks

Shift: 12hr Night shift

Expected Hours: 36 hours per week

Location: Des Moines, Iowa, 50314

Job Description
➤ Provides high-quality respiratory care, including intensive respiratory treatments and medically prescribed patient transport, within the scope of professional licensure and with minimal supervision.

➤ Evaluates patients’ respiratory conditions and recommends appropriate treatment plans.

➤ Explains the purpose and procedures of treatments, tests, and equipment to patients and provides education for safe respiratory care at home upon discharge.

➤ Administers physician-prescribed respiratory treatments using invasive and non-invasive ventilators, oxygen delivery systems, aerosol devices, and nebulizers to provide medications, humidification, ventilation, and oxygenation.

➤ Performs chest physiotherapy using appropriate equipment to promote airway clearance and secretion removal.

➤ Performs patient suctioning through oropharyngeal, nasal, and tracheal methods as indicated.

➤ Conducts pulse oximetry and capnography monitoring in accordance with established policies and procedures.

➤ Reviews patient chest X-rays routinely and identifies findings that may require further evaluation.

➤ Performs 12-lead electrocardiograms (EKGs) and demonstrates basic arrhythmia recognition skills.

➤ Performs pulmonary function assessments and studies, including negative inspiratory force (NIF) and vital capacity (VC), according to policy.

➤ Assists with respiratory-related procedures, including bronchoscopy, percutaneous tracheostomy, and chest tube placement, in accordance with established protocols.

➤ Performs chest drainage using PleurX catheters or similar devices, where applicable.

➤ Provides tracheostomy care according to policy, including the insertion and removal of tracheostomy tubes during emergency and non-emergency situations.

➤ Performs arterial punctures and analyzes arterial blood gas results to assess ventilation effectiveness, while monitoring, documenting, and reporting findings.

➤ Follows laboratory policies and procedures in moderate-complexity testing, including specimen handling, equipment operation, documentation, result reporting, quality control, and maintenance throughout pre-analytic, analytic, and post-analytic phases.

➤ Performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in accordance with Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) guidelines.

➤ Performs endotracheal intubation and extubation using freehand techniques and/or video laryngoscopy systems, as authorized by training, competency, and facility policy.

➤ Sets up and performs self-tests on ventilatory equipment and operates, maintains, and monitors various types of mechanical ventilators.

➤ Assists with preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair coordination for respiratory care equipment as needed.

➤ Documents all relevant treatment details and patient responses accurately in respiratory care records and medical charts, including pre- and post-treatment assessments.

➤ Communicates with attending physicians and pulmonologists regarding treatment effectiveness and patient respiratory status.

➤ Provides accurate handoff communication during walking rounds and shift-to-shift transitions to ensure continuity of patient care.

➤ Maintains accurate respiratory therapy billing and charge entry, including data verification and correction of errors.

➤ Performs other respiratory care duties as assigned in accordance with professional standards, facility policies, and patient care requirements.