Respiratory Therapist
Gardner, Massachusetts
Heywood Hospital

Respiratory Therapist

Location: Gardner, Massachusetts
Employment Type: Contract (13 weeks)
Shift: 36 hours per week, Day shifts (12-hour shifts, 7:00 AM – 7:30 PM), rotating weekends and holidays

Job Summary

Provide comprehensive respiratory therapy care including assessment, treatment, and education for patients with cardiopulmonary conditions. Collaborate with healthcare team members to develop and modify patient care plans based on ongoing evaluation.

Required Qualifications

• Valid Registered Respiratory Therapist license in Massachusetts
• Minimum of 1 year of recent respiratory therapy experience

Key Responsibilities

• Systematically gather and evaluate patient information to develop appropriate care plans
• Identify and act on variations from expected patient findings
• Assess patient learning needs and provide tailored education, involving family/significant others when appropriate
• Administer respiratory therapy treatments and oxygen therapy, understanding their purposes and side effects
• Obtain arterial blood gases (ABGs) and perform pulse oximetry, pulmonary function tests, and EKGs following standards and protocols
• Assist with flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy procedures
• Set up and assess mechanical ventilators, including BIPAP and CPAP units, ensuring safe operation and appropriate patient parameters
• Monitor cardiopulmonary status and recommend changes to patient care plans accordingly
• Provide instruction on proper use of cardiopulmonary medications and equipment
• Implement components of the Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP) bundle consistently and alert appropriate staff if deviations occur
• Document care plans, treatments, patient progress, and any adverse events accurately
• Coordinate and delegate care as appropriate within the healthcare team

Physical Requirements

• Ability to exert 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, 10 to 25 pounds frequently, and up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects
• Frequent reaching and handling with hands
• Occasional stooping and crouching

Additional Information

• Prior travel experience is not specified as required for this position.