Respiratory Therapist

Overview

Under supervision and in accordance with established policy and procedure statements, the Respiratory Therapist evaluates, delivers, and monitors the cardiopulmonary needs of pediatric and adult patients seen at the Institute. At time of hire, the therapist is required to review the policies and procedures of the department. During the process of orientation, the Respiratory Therapist is prepared to work autonomously in assessing, coordinating, and delivering the required care to meet the patient’s cardiopulmonary needs. The Therapist is involved with diagnostic testing, outpatient care, patient education, education, continuing care in the home environment and staff education. The Therapist takes into consideration the age related, cultural and religious diversity of each patient when providing care.

This position is 30 hours per week.

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.

Responsibilities

1. Provides a variety of services throughout the Institute to include but not limited to the Adult Outpatient Clinic and the Jimmy Fund Clinic.
2. Applies scientific principles for the prevention, identification, remediation, and rehabilitation of cardiopulmonary dysfunction, thereby producing optimum health and function.
3. Provides, assesses, and coordinates a variety of therapeutic services to include but is not limited to the delivery of medical gases, administration of aerosolized medications, chest physical therapy, respiratory rehabilitation, and maintenance of natural and artificial airways.
4. Participates in cardiopulmonary resuscitation as part of the multidisciplinary code team. Responsibilities may include oral endotracheal intubation in the emergency setting.
5. Collects specimens of arterial blood, sputum ( spontaneously produced or induced ), and pleural fluid for diagnostic purposes.
6. Performs and reports diagnostic tests. These include pulmonary function tests ( spirometry, flows, lung volumes, and diffusion capacity ), arterial blood gas analysis, ECG / Holter Monitoring, and other related physiologic monitoring of the cardiopulmonary system.
7. Assists in preparing patients for transfer from the Institute to area hospitals via ambulance. May be asked to accompany the critically ill patient on transfer.
8. Assesses patient's learning needs and provides education of respiratory care procedures to patient and family.
9. Provides consultation services and teaching to other health care providers involved in the care of the patient.
10. Performs routine maintenance, calibration, and quality control procedures on pulmonary function, oximetry, blood gas analysis, and other biomedical equipment.
11. Submits billing information through the clinical computer system.
12. Completes necessary multi-disciplinary documentation of all pertinent observations related to patient care, treatments administered, and patient's responses to treatment. Maintains appropriate department records.
13. Attends and participates in internal and external educational meetings to maintain and enhance clinical competencies staff meetings, Basic Cardiac Life Support training, intubation training, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) training, Pediatric Advanced Life Support training and conferences as scheduled.
14. Performs all other duties as assigned by the Respiratory Coordinator of the Respiratory Care Department.

Qualifications

• Required:
1. Current license by the MA Board of Respiratory Care
2. RRT - Registration by the N.B.R.C.
3. ACLS course completion (Required during 1st 3-6 months of orientation)
• Highly desirable:
1. A.S. / B.S. in Respiratory Care
2. CPFT / RPFT - Certification / Registration by the N.B.R.C
• Must possess analytical abilities and sound judgment for interpretation of complex data, formulation of appropriate treatment plan, implementation of plan, and documentation of pertinent patient information.
• Must demonstrate good interpersonal skills to interact with physicians, nurses, and other hospital personnel under stressful situations. Must be able to interact with critically ill patients and families to elicit desired responses to treatment and tests, and to defer apprehensions.
• Work requires prolonged walking, standing, and occasional running. Lifts and positions patients from time to time. Transfers heavy equipment and gas cylinders to and from patient care areas.
• Must have good mechanical aptitude to understand and operate highly complex equipment.

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong. As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are equally committed to diversifying our faculty and staff. Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and diverse professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.