06/01/75 E

The work involves the administration of routine respiratory therapy treatments independently in non-acute care areas and under closer supervision in acute care areas of a general hospital.

The work is distinguished from that of the Respiratory Therapy Technician A by the greater independence with which this level functions and by additional treatments administered in both non-acute and acute areas. In addition to administering oxygen and humidity therapy and intermittent positive pressure breathing, employees will also run blood gas determinations on patients. Work is performed under the supervision of a Respiratory Therapy Technician supervisor or physician, and supervision may be exercised over Respiratory Therapy Technicians A and Assistants.

Examples of duties characteristic of positions in this class:

1. Treats patients with intermittent positive pressure breathing, blow bottles, incentive spirometer, sputum induction, aerosol therapy and a variety of forms of oxygen administration.
2. Runs blood gas determinations using the blood gas machine and performs routine maintenance on the machine to assure that it is properly calibrated.
3. Serves as shift supervisor in the absence of a Respiratory Therapy Technician Supervisor.
4. Participates in in-service education for Respiratory Therapy Technicians A, Assistants, and other personnel taking care of patients with respiratory disorders.
5. Assists in cardiopulmonary resuscitations.
6. Cultures equipment routinely to ensure that contamination has not occurred.

RESPIRATORY THERAPY TECHNICIAN B Page 2

 

7. Performs other related duties in the field as requested by the Respiratory Therapy Technician Supervisor, Therapists or Physicians.

Certification by the National Board of Respiratory Therapy or one year of experience at the level of work equivalent to that of a Respiratory Therapy Technician A in the administration of a variety of respiratory therapy techniques and the operation of respiratory therapy equipment.

Knowledge of basic respiratory therapy applications, procedures and techniques; ability to observe and evaluate patients’ reactions to respiratory therapy treatments; ability to perform emergency resuscitations; ability to set up and maintain equipment used in the administration of respiratory therapy.