City and County of San Francisco

Under general administrative direction and medical supervision, plans, organizes, administers, and evaluates the operation of the Respiratory Therapy Department at Laguna Honda Hospital; establishes and implements standards and procedures; selects, trains and supervises respiratory care practitioner personnel; participates in treatment of patients and provides technical consultations to other care providers; and performs related duties as required.

The Respiratory Care Practitioner II is distinguished from the Respiratory Care Practitioner I in that the Respriratory Care Practitioner II, in addition to performing respiratory therapy treatment, directs the work of the Respriatory Care Practitioners I and administers the Respiratory Therapy Department at Laguna Honda Hospital.

“The class specification shall be descriptive of the class and shall not be considered as a restriction on the assignment of duties not specifically listed.” (CSC Rule 7)

1. Directs the Respiratory Therapy Department at Laguna Honda Hospital, including the management of the Blood Gas and Pulmonary Function Laboratory operations, and Respiratory Care Registry.

2. Selects, trains and supervises respiratory care practitioner personnel; conducts staff meetings and conferences.

3. Develops and implements quality assurance monitoring and evaluating activities for the Respiratory Therapy Department; in collaboration with the Medical Advisor, develops and updates respiratory care policies, procedures, and standards; consults with clinical staff on technical problems related to respiratory care; serves as representative of the Respiratory Therapy Department on the Laguna Honda Hospital Infection Control Committee.

4. Develops, implements and monitors the departmental budget for personnel, equipment and supplies.

5. Administers respiratory therapy treatments, including positive pressure breathing, chest PT, sputum induction, deep tracheal aspiration, endotracheal intubations, bedside spirometry, aerosol treatments, continuous aerosols, ventilatory support, and oxygen treatments; evaluates and documents patient’s responses to treatments, records treatments provided; performs and reports blood gas analyses and pulmonary function test results, calibrates blood gas analyzers; cleans and maintains respiratory therapy equipment; provides technical support to Medical and Nursing Staff in use of respiratory therapy equipment and in administration of respiratory therapy treatments.

Knowledge of: management and supervisory techniques; budgeting and cost containment procedures; basic physiology pertaining to heart and lung functions; principles, methods and theories involved in the practice of respiratory therapy; use and care of respiratory equipment; techniques of administering medical gases and their effects on the human body; patient positioning techniques used to mobilize secretions; breathing instructions and supportive exercises.

Ability to: analyze and perform respiratory therapy procedures accurately and adopt strategies to improve practices; direct the work of a staff of respiratory care practitioners; establish and maintain effective working and administrative relationships with nursing staff, physicians, and other hospital personnel; prepare clear and comprehensive written reports, correspondence, and other documents; perform various respiratory therapy procedures safely; employ appropriate tests of pulmonary function; and understand the patient’s psychosocial needs.

CERTIFICATION Requires possession of a valid certificate as a Respiratory Care Practitioner issued by the Respiratory Care Examining Committee of the State of California.

All City and County of San Francisco employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.