For Respiratory Therapists
Micro-Analyzing the six minute walk
Current standards for performing the Six minute walk test (6mwt) include not walking with the patient, so that they will walk at their own pace rather than attempt to keep pace with the tester. While this may allow a better result, careful observation of the patient before, during, and after the 6mwt, and handoff of…
I Got an Interview…. I Just Graduated….. What Do I Say?
I’ve interviewed a lot of RT candidates over the years, from new grads to greatly experienced. Here are some tips for getting approval… Well, mine, anyway. Confidence: It’s a fine line between being confident and arrogant. I’ve had many new grads say, ‘Yes, I know how to do this and that’, when what they really…
How do I get SOMEONE… ANYone… to read my resume and grant me an interview ?
Once upon a time, in a hospital long ago, RT managers actually read resumes. But now, managers are bogged down with more important tasks, and have turned all hiring over to Human Resources (HR). Since HR people have no idea what an RT actually does, hospitals have turned to resume bots. These are nothing more…
The Patient that is Used To It
One of the markers we use in Pulmonary Rehab is the Borg scale. We have patients rate their breathing from 0 to 10, and their exercise intensity from 0 to 10. It takes them a few weeks to get used to this, as most of them rate their breathing as either good or bad, and…
A ‘Different’ Kind of RT Work
I see many posts in the various forums from RT’s looking for something different… something besides 12 hour shifts. Oh, what to do, what to do that won’t tax our bodies any worse than what we have going on now. Fellow RT’s, use your BRAINPOWER!! What I mean is, you all know A LOT. And…
RT students and new grads and jobs, part two
In my last post, I talked about things you can do to ensure that, when a position becomes available, you will at least be looked at seriously if not hired outright. In addition to being eager to learn just about anything, the second most important trait an RT student or new grad can have is:…
For RT Students and New Grads: Are you an Appreciating or Depreciating asset?
I see a lot of posts from students and new grad RT’s worried about getting a job. As an educator, part of my job was to orient new students and make sure they have what they need to be successful in the clinic setting. I know that life as a student can be busy, intimidating,…
Are we in the ‘Safe Zone’ for Ebola?
Are we in the ‘safe’ zone with Ebola? Today we had our hospital training on caring for Ebola or other VHF – Viral Hemorrhagic Fever patients safely. I’ll go political on you in just a sec, but for now, let me say this: I think we (The U.S.) are finally prepared to care for these…