Cardiopulmonary Respiratory Therapist
Waimea, Hawaii
Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital

Job Opportunity: Cardiopulmonary Respiratory Therapist (Contract)

Location: Waimea, Hawaii
Employment Type: Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Key Qualifications

• Must have Hawaii Respiratory Therapist (RT) licenses.
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) or Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRTT) recognized by the National Board of Respiratory Care preferred.
• Specialty: Cardiopulmonary Respiratory Therapy.
• Required years of experience: Not explicitly stated; assume minimum experience consistent with RRT/CRTT certification.
• Prior travel experience: Not specified as required.

Job Description

• Work independently in the respiratory therapy unit applying clinical judgment to respiratory care problems.
• Administer respiratory tests and treatments to patients with respiratory diseases, including critically ill, pediatric, and neonatal patients.
• May work shifts including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

1. Life Support Systems:

   • Initiate, monitor, and maintain ventilators for patients requiring continuous ventilation.
   • Perform emergency intubation, arterial punctures, ventilator adjustments, and consult with physicians on therapy modes.
   • Manage airway maintenance including endotracheal and tracheostomy tubes.

2. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation:

   • Participate in resuscitation team activities including airway management and manual ventilation.
   • Perform arterial punctures and initiate mechanical ventilation as needed.

3. Patient Evaluation and Consultation:

   • Assess patients’ respiratory status using clinical data and recommend treatment methods to physicians.
   • Use age-specific principles in patient assessment.

4. Treatment Administration:

   • Provide age-appropriate respiratory treatments and medication administration.
   • Monitor patient response and adjust treatments accordingly.
   • Perform chest physiotherapy including postural drainage, percussion, and vibration.

5. Pulmonary Function Testing:

   • Operate equipment to measure respiratory function and provide data for diagnosis and treatment.

6. Pulse Oximetry:

   • Operate pulse oximetry monitors and maintain equipment.

7. Patient Education:

   • Instruct patients and families on respiratory treatments and care procedures.
   • Provide initial instruction for outpatient aerosol treatments and breathing exercises.

8. Safety and Infection Control:

   • Adhere to safety and infection control policies.
   • Maintain a clean and safe environment.

9. Additional Services:

   • Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation including patient teaching on disease processes and oxygen conservation.
   • Electroencephalogram (EEG) electrode placement and monitoring.
   • Polysomnography as part of sleep studies.

10. Other Duties:

    • Clean and sterilize respiratory therapy equipment.
    • Perform minor equipment repairs and routine record keeping.
    • Participate in training and educational programs.

Work Environment

• Hospital respiratory therapy unit.
• May require shift work including holidays.

Notes

• Candidates should research housing options prior to applying.
• Strict confidentiality of patient and facility information is required.