Job Summary: Monitors and ensures proper operation and functioning of respiratory therapy equipment. Monitors patients physiological parameters during therapy. Administers medical gases and aerosolized drugs. Essential Responsibilities: • Initiates therapy under a Physicians order and makes appropriate recommendations for modalities of Therapy. • Implements therapy for, and monitors patients while on continuous mechanical ventilators and all modes of positive pressure breathing devices. • Utilizes clinical and other data to assess cardiopulmonary status of patients. • Assists in intubation. • Provides bedside spirometry. • Evaluates ventilator dependent patients' readiness to wean. • Administers humidified medical gases as ordered by practitioners with authority to prescribe. • Interprets blood gas results. • Consults attending physician/practitioner regarding appropriate therapy. • Performs arterial punctures. • Withdraws blood samples from indwelling lines. • Provides ventilatory support during special procedures. • Coordinates transport of ventilatory equipment. • Implements and monitors care of patients on heated aerosols and CPAP as per practitioner order. • Develops good working relationships with laboratory, x-ray, infection control, nursing, physicians and other healthcare workers to maintain optimum total patient care. • Cleans and maintains all respiratory therapy equipment. • Assists in maintaining adequate inventory of respiratory supplies. • Conducts quality control tests on all respiratory equipment. • Maintains equipment in safe, workable order; Requests repair when necessary. • Participates in continuous quality improvement teams as required. • Monitors esophageal pressures, swan ganz catheter data, CVP, arterial blood pressures, electrolytes, fluid balance and intravascular volumes as they pertain to respiratory patients. • Performs chest physiotherapy, manual ventilation and suctioning. • Positions patients to facilitate respiration. • Performs tracheostomy care and mouth care on intubated/trached patients. • Changes tracheostomy tube as ordered. • Performs electroencephalogram as ordered. • This includes taking measurements of the head, placement of electrodes, acquisition of data, monitoring of vital signs. • Performs polysomnography as ordered for sleep studies. • Documents pertinent information in medical record. • Documents care provided in medical record. • Monitors disease processes, arterial and venous catheter placement and endotracheal tube placement via chest x-ray. • Communicates pertinent patient information to physicians, practitioners and nurses as appropriate. • Participates in patient rounds with Pulmonologist/Intensivist/Neonatologist. • Responds to and participates in Code Blue as part of Code team/RRT Team. • Able to instruct patient and family on disease processes and treatments provided by Respiratory Therapy in accordance with the hospital patient/family education policies and procedures. • Assumes on-call status as needed. • Other duties as assigned.