State of Maryland

A Respiratory Therapist I is the intermediate level of work in the field of respiratory therapy.  Employees in this classification are responsible for the administration of a variety of standard and medically-prescribed respiratory therapy techniques in a State hospital, with responsibility for respiratory therapy activities.  Employees in this classification consult with Physicians regarding the applicability of specific techniques to particular patient conditions, set up equipment, and administer prescribed respiratory therapy, such as positive pressure breathing, administration of aerosols, operation of respirators and use of face masks.  Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions.

Employees in this classification receive moderate supervision from a Respiratory Care Practitioner Supervisor or a Physician.  Work is evaluated through observation in terms of the quality of service provided.  Employees may render assistance to attendants, aides, Nurses, and other Therapists.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

The Respiratory Therapist I and the Respiratory Therapist II are differentiated on the basis of the degree of supervisory control exercised by the supervisor over these employees.  The Respiratory Therapist I performs duties under close supervision at times and under general supervision at other times depending on the complexity of the specific duty being performed.  The Respiratory Therapist II performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.

Sets up, starts and observes the operation of croup and oxygen tents, face tents, etc., and carries out resuscitation procedures;

Explains procedures to patient;

Consults with Physicians regarding particular benefits a patient might be expected to receive or not to receive from a prescribed therapy and makes recommendations accordingly;

Performs routine spirometry and calculates the results;

Administers treadmill exercise tests including the collection of expired air;

Analyzes expired air and other gas mixtures;

Operates Astryp machine;

Makes electronic determination of partial pressure oxygen or carbon dioxide in blood and determination of blood pH;

Makes residual volume determination;

Performs studies in respiration mechanics;

Keeps patient records on treatments prescribed, given, and observable results;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge, at the elementary level of proficiency, of the principle of respiration as an aid to respiratory problems;

Knowledge of various types of oxygen equipment, such as iron lungs, oxygen tents, resuscitators and incubators;

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Physicians, Nurses and resident personnel;

Ability to observe and interpret physical manifestations of patients’ condition;

Ability to perform treadmill exercise tests, including the collection of expired air;

Ability to perform electronic determinations of blood pH;

Ability to administer oxygen and other gases;

Ability to maintain a flexible schedule and to meet emergencies as they arise;

Ability to coordinate equipment to meet patient needs;

Ability to instruct others in the use of respiratory therapy equipment;

Ability to maintain accurate records.

Education:   Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.

Experience: Two years of experience in the field of respiratory therapy.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute certification by the National Board for Respiratory Therapists for two years of the required experience.

2. Candidates may substitute registration by the National Board for Respiratory Therapists for three years of the required experience.

3. Candidates may substitute the successful completion of an approved one year technician school of respiratory therapy for two years of the required experience.

4. Candidates may substitute the successful completion of an approved two year respiratory therapy program at an accredited college or university for four years of the required experience.

1. Applicants for this classification who possess a certification by the National Board of Therapists must submit a copy of the certification with the application.

2. Applicants for this classification who possess a registration from the National Board of Therapists must submit a copy of the registration with the application.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Professional Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Professional Service positions.  Some positions in Professional Service classifications may be designated as Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit E- Health Care Professionals classes.  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation.  An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime as provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.

This classification is one level in a Non-Competitive Promotion (NCP) series.  NCP promotions are promotions by which employees may advance in grade and class level from trainee to full performance levels in a classification series.  In order to be non-competitively promoted to the next level in a NCP series an employee must: 1) perform the main purpose of the class as defined in the Nature of Work section of the class specification; 2) receive the type of supervision defined in the class specification, and 3) meet the minimum qualifications of the classification.