CH Transport Respiratory Therapist

Respiratory Transport Therapist

Performs routine and advanced Respiratory Care procedures according to established standards in the ABG lab, Pediatric/Neonatal Care Units, Emergency Room and General Patient Care areas of WVU Medicine. Adheres to the established performance expectations for employees in the areas of People, Service, Performance Improvement, and Shared Values and Culture. The Transport RT participates as a member of the Transport Team in the identification, assessment, stabilization, and transport of the critically injured and/or ill neonate, pediatric and/or maternal patient. The Transport RT administers respiratory care to patient as ordered by medical command. Transport RT's provide advanced level diagnostic and therapeutic procedures that require additional training than required for a Registered Respiratory Therapist.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Licensed Registered Respiratory Therapist by the applicable state where services will be performed:
• WV: Licensed Respiratory Therapist Registered (LRTR) through the West Virginia Board of Respiratory Care
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) Certification or obtain within 6 months of hire
• S.T.A.B.L.E Certification or obtain within six (6) months of hire.
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) or obtain within two (2) years of hire
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) or obtain within two (2) years of hire
• Obtain Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification within 30 days of hire.

Experience:

• Two (2) years of experience in neonatal and pediatric intensive care unit or other relevant children's hospital or transport experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Neonatal Pediatric Specialty Certification (NPS) through the National Board for Respiratory Care within two (2) years of hire or Certified Neonatal/Pediatric Transport (CNPT) through the National Certification Corporation.
• Pediatric Fundamental Critical Care Support (PFCCS) within two (2) years of hire.

Core Duties and Responsibilities:

• Demonstrates respiratory expertise in caring for a specific group of patients with complex and rapidly changing needs.
• Provides accurate assessment, anticipates potential problems, takes appropriate action and performs appropriate interventions then evaluates and documents accordingly.
• Bases decisions made/actions taken on relevant scientific principles and established standards of care.
• Completes established documentation of transport related activities, including unit appropriate forms.
• Provides coordination and collaborates with other health care providers.
• Stabilizes the acutely ill neonatal and pediatric patient in the referring center through assessment, planning, intervention, evaluation of care, along with consulting with the referring medical provider. Obtains consultation with the accepting attending physician.
• Administers medication in accordance with the policies and procedures of WVUH.
• While on transport, initiates direct phone or radio communication between the transport team and the accepting attending physician at WVU Medicine to report and discuss clinical assessment and patient status, stabilization interventions, and potential or present complications.
• Identifies referral hospital education needs and helps to meet these education needs through informal and/or formal teaching. Communicates needs that are identified to the Transport Clinical Specialist.
• Continually evaluates methods of practice; recommends changes and modification of practice to meet patient needs.
• Ensures communication is maintained within the WVU Medicine Transport program, flight program and with other agencies/personnel.
• Coordinates care with other health care professionals, while demonstrating sound decision making skills in the coordination of care.
• Performs established patient follow-up activities within 72-hours of transport.
• Maintains clear and effective radio and phone communications.
• Participates in activities to provide for the safety of patient, EMS personnel, staff and other healthcare providers.
• Ensures cleaning of transport program equipment in accordance with established Infection Control Policy and hospital guidelines.
• Participates in other healthcare promotional activities sponsored by the hospital and WVU Medicine transport.
• Maintains all essential equipment.
• Ensures routine and monthly checks of transport program equipment and communicates with Biomedical Engineering to assure equipment is in safe and operating condition.
• Ensures routine restocking of transport supplies after each transport and maintains established supply inventory.
• Maintains competency by participating in WVU Medicine Transport and Respiratory Department activities
• Annually completes mandatory clinical and operational competencies as well as maintaining current required certifications established by the hospital.
• Participates in orientation of new transport crewmembers and acts as formal mentor for respiratory therapists and nurses.
• Attends and participates in required educational and operational meetings.
• Develops and participates in continuing education activities.
• Maintains competence using additional training, which includes: endotracheal intubation, chest tube placement, needle thoracotomy, intraosseous access, assisting with umbilical vessel catheterization, IV therapy.

Physical Requirements:

• Maximum weight of 220 pounds for safety and agility in helicopter and ambulance environment.
• Yearly Air Methods and Survival training as required by Healthnet.
• Heavy/Hard work: Work requires strength and/or stamina, lifting, moving, stooping, reaching, standing, walking, and carrying of materials and equipment weighing 40+lbs.
• Vision (corrected) within normal limits.
• No taking prescription(s) and/or over the counter medication, except as approved by the Children's Hospital Medical Director.
• No medical condition likely to be aggravated by transport duties or that may endanger patients or other transport personnel. An exam by an independent physician will be required, if necessary.
• Hearing (aid permitted) Must be able to function without use of lip reading.

Working Environment:

• Working closely with others.
• Working protracted or irregular hours.
• Working around biohazards.
• Working around infectious diseases.
• Working with or near the deceased.
• Working with hands in water.
• Working with electrical hazards associated with patient care equipment.
• Working in inclement weather conditions.
• Provide transport care to outlying hospitals via ambulance and helicopter.
• Working in life threatening conditions.

Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrates sound interpersonal and professional verbal skills with other health care team members and the general public during the verbal interactions.

Additional Job Description:

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 36

Shift: Varied (United States of America)

Exempt/Non-Exempt: United States of America (Non-Exempt)

Company: WVUH West Virginia University Hospitals

Cost Center: 1016 WVUH CH Nursing Pediatrics Transport

Address: 1 Medical Center Drive Morgantown West Virginia

Equal Opportunity Employer

West Virginia University Health System and its subsidiaries (collectively "WVUHS") is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. WVUHS strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. All WVUHS employees, other workers, and representatives are prohibited from engaging in unlawful discrimination. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, training, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, and termination of employment.