This is a position for a student of Respiratory Practitioner who has partially completed their clinical experience and have completed competencies to reflect the services they will provide. The Respiratory Therapist Assistant provides safe, basic respiratory care for patients and families, functioning under the direct supervision of the RT in the acute hospital or clinic setting. (Direct supervision means that the RT is immediately available to continually coordinate, direct and inspect, at first hand, the care provided by the Respiratory Therapist Assistant.) The Respiratory Therapist Assistant cannot independently assume duties done by an RT and will not function in critical areas such as Emergency Services or Adult or Neonatal Critical Care. The Respiratory Therapist Assistant will focus on the health and wellness of the patient while providing safe, essential respiratory care for patients and families with the primary goal of assisting the therapist while preparing for a career in respiratory care. This role is a temporary position that may last up to 15 months.

1. Completes Gundersen Health System (GHS) orientation and education requirements, maintains competency and practices and contributes to the GHS Mission and Strategic Plan.

2. Contributes to assessment by collecting and documenting data at the direction of the RT. The Respiratory Therapist Assistant's documentation must be verified for accuracy and cosigned each shift by the RT.

3. Assists in formulating and carrying out the patient's individualized plan of care. Creation, assessment, revision and evaluation of the patient plan of care cannot be delegated to the Respiratory Therapist Assistant.

4. The Respiratory Therapist Assistant may reinforce patient education that has been initiated by the RT.

5. Provides direct patient care and prescribed treatment and encourages the patient's self-care; documents interventions and patient response.

6. Respiratory Therapist Assistant will administer and document administration of medication at the point of care and under the direct supervision of the RT.

7. Performs other job-related responsibilities as requested.

REQUIRED

High School Diploma or equivalency and enrolled in an associate or bachelor's respiratory practitioner program and has completed competencies required by their current clinical experience in thedepartment

DESIRED

1 year of experience in a healthcare environment.

REQUIRED

Current Infant-Adult Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers (with hands on learning) from one of the following programs; American Heart Association or American Red Cross.

Adult (18 - 64 years)

Geriatric (65 years & older)

Category I - All Employees in this job title have a reasonably anticipated risk of occupational exposure to blood and/or other potentially infectious materials.