MightyRecruiterA job posting that appeals to the best respiratory therapists is one that presents a position that requires the most competent professionals. It should leave no doubt about the fact that your company is seeking top talent and will settle for nothing less. It’s also important that your listing conveys an honest portrait of your company’s culture and values. When written correctly, your description will prompt potential candidates to prescreen their abilities and personalities before deciding to submit an application, saving you time weeding out the less-qualified. Consider this respiratory therapist job description sample to guide you as your write a listing of your own.
Respiratory Therapist Job Summary
As a valued member of the team at Atrium, you will support our efforts to provide effective administration of prescribed therapeutic respiratory care. While employing a kind, conscientious bedside manner, you will work to restore and maintain pulmonary functioning and relieve pain. You will accept responsibility for planning patient therapy and maintain accountability in every customer encounter.
Atrium is committed to promoting an encouraging, professional environment and offers team members the following excellent benefits:
• Attractive compensation
• Company-provided health, dental and vision
• IRA and 401K with company matching and included financial planning
• Flexible Spending Account
• Four weeks paid vacation
• Career development support
• Tuition assistance
• On-site childcare
Respiratory Therapist Job Responsibilities
- Provides quality care to meet patient needs. Conducts pulmonary function tests, interprets evaluations and test results, determines plans for respiratory therapy treatment in consultation with physicians and by prescription.
- Supports patient wellness and treatment plans by administering inhalants and operating mechanical ventilators, environmental control systems, therapeutic gas administration equipment and environmental control apparatus.
- Performs bronchopulmonary drainage and helps with breathing exercises. Monitors vital signs, arterial blood gases, and changes in blood chemistry. Directs technicians, assistants and aides in administering treatments.
- Evaluates respiratory therapy treatment plan effectiveness by observing, recording, and evaluating patient progress and recommends and necessary adjustments to treatment plan.
- Consults with physicians, nurses, social workers, and other healthcare workers to complete discharge plans.
- Contributes to patient-care conferences.
- Assures post-discharge adherence to therapy plan by devising home exercise programs. Coaches patients, families, and caregivers in prescribed fitness regimen. Recommends and/or provides assistive equipment and recommends outpatient or in-home follow-up programs.
- Meticulously documents care by keeping accurate patient charts and department records.
- Protects patient confidence and hospital operations by following all rules regarding confidential information.
- Complies with all procedures, rules, and regulations to maintain a clean and safe working environment and to control and prevent the spread of infectious disease.
- Ensures all department equipment is kept in good, working order by timely completing preventive maintenance, following manufacturer’s instructions and established troubleshooting guidelines. Calls for repairs when needed.
- Develops staff by providing information and by creating and administering in-service training.
- Complies with any and all federal, state, and local laws and maintains certifications by studying existing and proposed legislation and anticipating future legislation. Enforces compliance and advises management on necessary actions.
Respiratory Therapist Skills and Qualifications
- Current Registered Respiratory Therapist certification
- High degree of physiological knowledge
- Training and experience in health promotion and maintenance
- Professional, compassionate bedside manner
- Contributing to an efficient, safety-focused environment
- Understanding of infection control
- Clear and effective oral and written communication skills
- Medical teamwork
- Sound judgment
Company Profile
Atrium health centers are renowned providers of a broad range of comprehensive medical services. Over the course of 50+ years, our doctors and facilities have been recognized with hundreds of citations and awards. Our approach is a truly holistic one, both in terms of the treatments we provide and in terms of the culture we promote among all out team members. At Atrium, we strive to work as one to achieve the highest pinnacle of our potential. Won’t you join us?
Some Job Description Do’s and Don’ts
- Do break up your job listing with bullet lists to help potential candidates absorb the information.
- Do give prospects enough details to allow them to decide if your position fits with their skills and values.
- Do present your company in a positive light, but be honest as well in order to excite the people whose resumes you most want to see.
- Don’t try to increase the number of applicants using vague or incomplete information.
- Don’t put too many keywords into your listings. Search-engine optimization shouldn’t feel forced or make your content difficult to read.
Respiratory Therapist Job Responsibilities
Jobseekers weighing the prospect of applying for jobs will benefit from a respiratory therapist job description with a detailed description of responsibilities. Applicants for positions in this field are likely to have specialized education or training. It is still possible to narrow down the number of applications you receive by providing a precise description of the expectations for a respiratory therapist at your care facility or hospital in the job responsibilities section.
Rely on bullet points to make this section easy to read. List one responsibility per point, and start each line with a distinctive action verb. This format encourages prospective applicants to approach this section of a respiratory therapist job description like a checklist. They can note the tasks that they feel confident they could perform on a regular basis and come away with a sense of whether they want to pursue an available position.
See the following examples of respiratory therapist job responsibilities:
- Provide care and information to individuals with breathing disorders in a health care facility or on house calls
- Administer lung and heart tests and schedule treatments to ameliorate respiratory issues
- Conduct therapy procedures while enforcing equipment safety standards and monitoring patient response
- Install and operate ventilators, therapeutic gas and environmental control systems
Respiratory Therapist Job Specifications
The portion of a respiratory therapist job description you devote to employee specifications will likely be more concise than your description of the responsibilities involved in this position. You can specify a certain level of education or degree, area of training or extent of work experience. The job qualifications and skills section will not be as useful for reducing the number of underqualified applicants if you do not establish clear expectations.
Start by bringing up imperative specifications followed by broader abilities. Structure this section with bullet points, and consider listing any noncompulsory abilities in a separate list beneath the main requirements in your respiratory therapist job description. If you are not sure which skills an employee needs to excel in this role, consult with a respiratory care supervisor or health care managers about reasonable requirements.
The minimum specifications should be firm. You might also want to include a few desirable skills to guide qualified applicants as they prepare to write cover letters and resumes.
Here are several respiratory therapist job specifications that you could include:
- Training in a related area, preferably an associate or bachelor’s degree
- Minimum of 12-24 months of relevant training or practice
- Ability to communicate with doctors and patients
- Familiarity with setting up, operating and maintaining medical equipment
