03 Aug A Day in the Life: Respiratory Therapist
Olympic Medical Center is currently hiring for the position of Respiratory Therapist, which includes a $10,000 new hire incentive for full-time positions. For more information and to apply today, visit OMC’s Careers page.
For many people, breathing is something they take for granted. If you haven’t experienced breathing problems before, it’s likely not something you spend any time thinking about.
But when a patient at Olympic Medical Center – whether a newborn baby or an elderly person, a trauma victim or a person with a known history of breathing disorders – has difficulty breathing, a respiratory therapist is there to provide expert care and help the patient with one of the most basic functions of life.
“Any respiratory disease is something that we assess and provide treatments for,” says Alicia Erickson, Respiratory Therapist II at Olympic Medical Center. “It can be anything from cystic fibrosis to chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder [COPD].”
Erickson joined Olympic Medical Center as a respiratory therapist last fall.
“It’s very rewarding,” she says.
Erickson, who grew up in Kitsap County, was pursuing her nursing prerequisites at Seattle Central College when a speaker talked to her class about respiratory therapy, and her career plans changed.
“It can be anywhere in the hospital, and it can range from neonatal all the way up to end-of-life care,” Erickson said. “It just really appealed to me.”
After graduating from Seattle Central with her Bachelor of Applied Science degree and passing credentialing exams, Erickson was intent on landing a position at an urban hospital, but she is happy with her decision to join OMC.
“What I found out is that I probably get more critical experience with patients than many of my colleagues do over in the Seattle area,” Erickson says. “The situations that I’ve come across are life-long skill sets that I’ve built for a life-long career in respiratory therapy.”
On any given shift, there are usually two, sometimes three, respiratory therapists on call at the hospital, responding to a variety of situations across the continuum of patient care and throughout the facility itself.
“You’ve got to work fast. You’ve got to think on your toes,” Erickson said.
There are very few “normal” days in the world of respiratory therapy. For a respiratory therapist at OMC, their duties can range from breathing treatments and assessments of inpatients who span any age, to caring for trauma patients where resuscitation and stabilization may be required.
“Those moments are exciting and at the same time, very critical that you kept your skills sharp enough and you’re thinking ahead of each step, so that you’re doing what’s right by the patient,” Erickson said.
What I found out is that I probably get more critical experience with patients than many of my colleagues do over in the Seattle area. The situations that I’ve come across are life-long skill sets that I’ve built for a life-long career in respiratory therapy.
Respiratory therapists at Olympic Medical Center must be graduates of a Washington State Department of Health recognized and accredited Respiratory Care program and maintain or acquire various credentials.
In addition to the education and the training, someone well suited for respiratory therapy is one who can work together with attending physicians, nurses and the rest of the healthcare team to critically assess what is causing patients difficulty breathing.
“Someone who is able to collaborate and work well with a team is absolutely essential,” Erickson says. “If you’re able to keep an open mind and just communicate effectively, that’s really going to help you.”
It is equally as important to be able to build a rapport with patients and their support persons.
“The way you communicate with them is really going to build their trust,” Erickson says.
Respiratory therapists are called upon to employ their training and experience in delivering life-saving care to patients of all ages and conditions.
“The possibilities of what could happen in my day are pretty cool,” Erickson said.
Olympic Medical Center is currently hiring for the position of Respiratory Therapist, which includes a $10,000 new hire incentive for full-time positions. For more information and to apply today, visit OMC’s Careers page.