RRT

Respiratory Therapist Position

To be fully engaged in providing No Harm / Quality, Customer Experience, and Stewardship by: showing clinical proficiency in the adult and/or the neonatal critical care areas. Be responsible for performing respiratory care appropriate to the age of the patient for all skills applicable to the skills required of a Respiratory Therapist. Have a thorough understanding of all respiratory care modalities and be capable of making judgment decisions and recommendations to physicians pertaining to respiratory care modalities. Be able to evaluate these techniques and report their findings to the responsible physician. Function as a resource for all staff on respiratory care procedures and are responsible to assist with orientation and competency check off of all Respiratory Care staff. Display ICARE Values in accordance with the Health First Mission and Vision.

Quality/No Harm: Documents care according to policy by random check. Provides correct procedure to correct patient by checking two patient identifiers. Maintains equipment in good working order and troubleshoots when necessary; reports all malfunctioning equipment to appropriate area/associate with documentation of problem. Maintains a clean, neat, safe work environment at all times and charges appropriately for care provided. Gives report to oncoming shift on all patients and procedures, and assures completion of workload before leaving. Medication safety - removes only one patient's medication at a time from Pyxis system. Patient identification - Uses Pyxis med slip to appropriately identify two patient identifiers. Hand-off communication - reads back and verifies all verbal and telephone orders, reports patient information to the appropriate associate in a timely manner, follows established approach to reporting including an opportunity to ask and respond to questions. Thorough documentation, including patient care, interdisciplinary Plan of Care and patient education. Other duties as assigned. Educated to report any safety opportunities to the Health First Safety Portal. Responds to Stat calls within appropriate time frame with proper equipment. Responds to all Code Blues and Rapid Response Calls in their assigned building and take leadership role for Respiratory Care staff. Completes shift duties and other assigned tasks on time. Follows proper infection control procedures for care provided, and proper hand washing technique. Initiate and manage invasive and non-invasive ventilation per physicians' orders, including troubleshooting and discontinuation. Ability to perform acute and intensive care functions for the adult/pediatric patient. Demonstrate ability to interpret CXR for ETT, Pulmonary Artery, and IABP catheter placement, as well as the ability to interpret basic cardiac/pulmonary complications. Demonstrates ability to initiate Heliox therapy; Understands indications, contraindications, and complications. Demonstrates ability to perform all procedures required for NICU, Labor & delivery, and nursery (if applicable- NICU core group). Demonstrate ability to assemble all NICU equipment and enter settings as part of skills fair. Ability to perform bedside pulmonary function testing. Ability to initiate, troubleshoot, discontinue and manage IABP modalities. Ability to pull IABP catheters according to policy. (if applicable) Required to help develop and teach annual skills fair. Assists with department performance measures when needed. Demonstrate knowledge and proficiency of emergent intubation, elective oral and nasal intubations. Must perform minimum of 2 intubations per year to maintain advanced status. Demonstrates knowledge and proficiency with arterial line insertions. Must perform minimum of 2 arterial line insertions per year to maintain advanced status. Demonstrate the ability to work in all adult ICUs and take part in a regular ICU rotation. Proficiency in SVO2 monitoring and calibrations. Ability to observe and interpret hemodynamic monitoring and cardiac arrhythmias. Ability to auscultate and assess breath sounds and cardiac sounds. Additional skill checks and competency may include ECG in Respiratory Care Participates in department education/committees/Skills fairs as needed at manager's/director's discretion. Performs as a resource person for Respiratory Staff and for the nursing staff regarding Respiratory Care therapeutics. Mentors new respiratory therapists with intubations, A-lines, ventilators, and all respiratory modalities.

Customer Experience: Communicates effectively to educate patients, family and staff on Respiratory Care procedures. Maintains confidentiality in all dealings with patients and staff. Participates in patient experience initiatives. Attend staff meetings/in-services as required. Reads and signs off on all staff meeting minutes as required.

Stewardship: Charges appropriately for care provided. Effectively communicates with patients, physicians and staff, work as a team player, contribute to cost effectiveness and work efficiently. Be a good steward of all hospital equipment and supplies.

Work Experience Qualifications Required: Graduate of an accredited School of Respiratory Care Current license from Florida DOH as Registered Respiratory Therapist. Must hold current AHA BLS Healthcare Provider Completion Card prior to start date and maintain. ACLS and PALS are required within 90 days of start date and maintained. Certification(s) as required by specific unit. Must meet all skill requirements of a Respiratory Therapist Must have good communication and interpersonal skills Must have good organizational skills and prioritizing skills Three years of progressive clinical experience in intensive care setting with at least one year at current facility.

Physical Demands: Must be able to withstand working up to 12 hour shifts consisting mostly of walking and standing. Must be able to participate in prolonged CPR procedures. Must have visual acuity and hand eye coordination necessary to perform clinical tasks. Ability to bend, stoop and assist lifting of patients as care requires. Must be able to lift 30 pounds consistently and push/pull 100+ pounds when a wheeled machine. Must be able to move quickly in crowded conditions and work with patients with many lines and machines attached. May be exposed to biohazardous waste, dust, aerosolized medication and unknown or communicable disease. Must be able to provide a professional appearance and wear designated uniforms.

Mental Demands: Must be able to work effectively in stressful environments with patients, visitors and staff. Must be able to make quick decisions concerning patient care and appropriate therapy. Must be able to respond appropriately to life threatening situations.

Competency Assessment/Skills Checklist: Will demonstrate competency of all core competencies for the Respiratory Care Practitioner, Respiratory Therapist and Advanced Therapist on the Annual Competency Skills Checklist.

About Health First: At Health First, diversity and inclusion are essential for our continued growth and evolution. Working together, we strive to build and nurture a culture that recognizes, encourages, and respects the diverse voices of our associates. We know through experience that different ideas, perspectives, and backgrounds create a stronger and more collaborative work environment that delivers better results. As an organization, it fuels our innovation and connects us closer to our associates, customers, and the communities we serve.