Respiratory Therapist

The role is responsible to independently or under the supervision of senior therapists all respiratory therapy interventions, taking into consideration patient’s best interest.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Key Responsibilities of the role Corresponding Key Activities performed by the role

Managerial

• Maintaining sufficient inventory of material supplies and equipment for performance of duties
• Reporting shortage of materials to supervisor at earliest convenience, ordering and approving replenishments when necessary

Technical

• Performs respiratory care procedures as per established policy and procedures, i.e. if required under the direction of a respiratory therapist, doctor or nurse.
• Assumes responsibility for operating autonomously, utilizing critical thinking and problem solving skills
• Monitors patient responses and modifies therapies based on clinical/physiologic assessments and in consultation with physicians
• Reads and evaluates physicians’ orders. Applies mechanical ventilator support of patients and monitors patient’s response
• Modifies ventilator management to meet patient needs, based on clinical assessment, physiologic monitoring, and laboratory data and in consultation with the physician
• Participates in the development and modification of respiratory care plans and therapeutic goals for patients with cardiopulmonary diseases
• Assists the physician and Code Team in cardiac / respiratory arrest situations as requested
• Provides advanced emergency airway care according to approved protocol
• Assists with pulmonary diagnostic procedures as required
• Provides user-maintenance and troubleshooting of Respiratory Care equipment
• Assesses and orders appropriate materials/equipment as per established guidelines.
• Highlights any maintenance requirements or breakdowns to senior staff and is responsible for ensuring the repair of defected equipment
• Ensures that, written and electronic records and activity data are maintained in accordance with established guidelines

Quality & Safety

• Promoting and maintaining quality in all services and ensure continuous quality improvement measures are in place. Conduct method evaluation/development as per standard policies and procedures
• Complying with all safety, health and quality control programs and procedures as applicable
• Complying with applicable precautions for environmental safety, infection control, using a series of interventions that minimize or prevent cross infection
• Maintaining the strictest confidence in relation to patient information whether formally or informally recorded
• Practicing within the expressed limits of established policies and procedures
• Ensuring that SOP (standard operation procedures) and Quality Assurance tests are maintained within all sections
• Being responsible for documenting all intervention in appropriate format
• Comply and support clinical audit processes within the service and report on these as agreed
• Communicating in a professional and courteous manner with patients, family and other medical personnel as necessary to obtain information for laboratory records, explain procedures, clarify orders and communicate status
• Interacting courteously with doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers when answering questions or providing other information

Education

• Assisting in the education, development, orientation of new employees, and preception of students as assigned
• Participating in education sessions for department staff, doctors and nurses in the safe and secure handling of equipment, i.e. teaching, induction, peer review, case studies, and clinical presentations
• Participating in department programs/committees, various hospital committees, and staff meetings (if requested)
• Participating in the orientation and training of new employees
• Ensuring appropriate internal and external sharing of information based on governing policies and procedures
• Maintaining current professional knowledge by attending lectures, seminars or on-line education units
• Completing and maintaining all regulatory requirements including: licensure and certification and other mandatory training within established time frames
• Keeping abreast of all developments pertaining to service administration, manipulation and other specialty related matters

Qualifications:

Required:

• Bsc degree in respiratory therapy from an accredited program or equivalent

OR

• Graduate of an accredited program leading to registration as a respiratory therapist by the Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists (C.S.R.T) or the National Board for Respiratory Care (USA) as registered respiratory therapist (R.R.T)
• AND Current National License.
• AND Current BLS Certification
• AND Current ACLS or PALS Certification

Desired:

• MSc in relevant clinical field (will reduce 1 year from the required years of experience)
• Current CPR

Required:

• Certified in Basic Life support (BLS) with advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) and/or Pediatric Life Support (PLS) recommended

Experience: NLT 2 years as a respiratory therapist

ABOUT THE TEAM

Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC) is a flagship tertiary hospital in the UAE and the largest teaching medical center in Abu Dhabi. The hospital has pioneered multiple innovative medical technologies locally and regionally, establishing itself as a market leader and setting new benchmarks for the sector.