Registered Respiratory Therapist

Respiratory Care Services (RCS) works very closely with the renowned trauma service at Zuckerberg San Francisco General (ZSFG).  ZSFG operates the only level 1 trauma center for more than 1.5 million residents of San Francisco and northern San Mateo County in its new, state-of-the-art facility which opened in May 2016.  RCS plays a vital role in the emergency department which treats more than 3,000 severely injured patients every year.

Respiratory Care Services provides care throughout the hospital. On the general care wards, respiratory care practitioners (RCP) function primarily as consultants, emergency response team members and as care providers for tracheostomy patients. In addition, RCS has a growing presence in the out-patient pulmonary clinics as primary care givers, advisors and consultants.

A Respiratory Care Practitioner at ZSFG works under medical direction, provides care, treatment, and rehabilitation to patients with pulmonary disorders by means of respiratory care procedures and protocols. All procedures are performed by a licensed RCP in an aseptic manner and follows infection control policies. The RCP will routinely perform other ancillary therapies such as aerosolized prostacyclin, prone positioning, and recruitment maneuvers.  In addition, therapists routinely participate in the transport and monitoring of critically ill, mechanically ventilated patients to special procedure areas and surgery. Our general respiratory care practice includes standard oxygen therapy, aerosol therapy, high flow/high FIO2 therapy and non-invasive ventilation as well as lung expansion and pulmonary hygiene therapies.  Our services emphasize evidence-based, protocol-driven management with quality assurance oversight.

The RCP will require nearly constant fine and gross-motor manipulation of the hands and arms, nearly constant standing or walking, and a virtually constant work pace. The RCP must be able to push, pull, lift and carry a minimum of 20 lbs. The RCP is a part of the health care team and may be called upon to assist nursing and physician staff in all aspects of patient care.