Respiratory Therapist (RRT)

Respiratory Care Practitioner

Join a team where your work matters—every moment, every patient, every community. At SSM Health, you'll be empowered to grow, supported to thrive, and inspired to make a lasting impact.

As a Respiratory Care Practitioner, you will play a crucial role in providing respiratory care services to our patients which will include assessing patients' respiratory conditions, developing and implementing treatment plans, and monitoring their progress. You will collaborate with a multidisciplinary unit to ensure the best possible outcomes for our patients. Saint Louis University Hospital is looking for a candidate with good interpersonal skills, strong teamwork, leadership, communication and conflict resolution abilities.

The respiratory therapist is a healthcare professional employed to perform all respiratory care diagnostic and therapeutic procedures provided by the Department of Respiratory Care. They should be energetic and motivated to support the success of a growing service. The respiratory therapist should refer to supervisory personnel in any doubtful situation.

Job Responsibilities and Requirements:

The following are essential job accountabilities:

1. Demonstrate ability to relate to coworkers in a professional and respectful manner, in order to assure and promote a culture of safety.

2. Performs all respiratory related therapeutic and diagnostic maneuvers are carried out in accordance with established policies and procedures of the department. This shall include:

A. Implements and assess the function of oxygen and therapeutic gas.

B. Ensure proper set-up and implementation of therapeutic and diagnostic procedure.

C. Provide aerosolized medication.

D. Provide CPT and IPV.

E. Setup and monitor ventilators in accordance with the department and hospital policies.

F. Communicates with peers and staff to develop and improve inter- and intradepartmental services. Meet with appropriate personnel to address and resolve problem issues.

G. Performs CPR

H. Perform diagnostic procedures including but not limited to:

1. ABG analysis

2. Pulse Oximetry

3. Nitric Oxide pulmonary hypertension studies

3. The licensed respiratory therapist will ensure that each patient's status is assessed to determine the patient's care needs and to ensure patient's needs are reassessed in response to treatment and care provided.

Criteria:

Assess and reassess patients for therapy which includes but is not limited to:

A. Vital signs before and after therapy.

B. Breath sounds before and after therapy.

C. Checking for physician orders for therapy.

D. Pre and post assessment for therapy tolerance and response.

E. Oxygen requirements.

F. Sputum color, viscosity and quantity.

G. Other patient specific observations as needed.

4. Special duties: Ability to interact with physicians and nurses. May work in an intensive care unit area. This may include:

A. Responsible to respond to critical areas (e.g. ER, OR, Code).

B. Perform routine checks on Life Support Unit.

C. Assist with bronchoscopy procedure.

D. Assist with minor cardiopulmonary invasive or surgical procedures.

E. Perform tracheotomy care.

F. Perform bedside studies including: f/vt, shunt studies, ventilator mechanics dead space, compliance, O2 content, and metabolic cart studies.

G. Perform bedside pulmonary function procedures.

H. Interpretation of complex lab data.

I. Provide input in decisions involving patient care on and off life support systems.

J. Provide input on patient care via physician consultations.

K. Display qualities of an independent thinker through the performance of everyday job duties.

L. Assist with the prevention of ventilator associated pneumonia as indicated by the latest evidence based literature.

5. Perform all other aspects of Respiratory Care in accordance with hospital policies and procedures. (5%)

Criteria:

A. Attends monthly department meetings, specialty meetings, in-services, and any other meetings as required.

B. Assure all time and attendance exceptions are properly recorded in the exceptions book.

C. Communicates with physicians in regard to therapies ordered and therapeutic goals.

The following job accountabilities may be reassigned:

6. Performs other duties as required. (5%)

Criteria:

A. Cleaning, disinfecting and/or sterilization of all reusable of respiratory and bronchoscopy equipment.

B. Routine mechanical maintenance of respiratory equipment.

C. Maintain neat and clean work and storage areas.

D. Maintain neat and accurate records.

E. Answer phone in a professional and timely manner.

7. Safety/Infection Control: Practices according to safety and infection control policies. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) 5%

Criteria:

A. Practices universal precautions and disposes of hazardous wastes per established guidelines.

B. Maintains a safe, clean, comfortable and therapeutic environment for patients/families/employees in accordance with hospital standards.

1. Maintains clutter free environment.

2. Keeps conversations and background noise to a minimum.

3. Adheres to dress code.

C. Reports risk management concerns.

D. Assumes responsibility for completing all annual mandatory requirements:

1. Safety/Fire

2. Blood Borne Pathogen

3. Hazardous Communication

4. TB

5. Department Specific

6. Age Appropriate Care (for clinical staff only)

7. BLS/ALS per recertification guidelines of AHA

E. Work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner.

8. Service: Provides service excellence to the customers of Saint Louis University Hospital by delivering timely, high quality care in a courteous, and respectful manner.

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5) 10%

Criteria:

A. Explain therapy to the patient prior to initiation.

B. Being courteous to the patient, their family, visitors and co-workers.

C. Respects patients' rights.

D. Practice commitment of patient confidentiality.

8. Quality Improvement (QI): Incorporates Quality Assessment into one's daily work. 5%

Criteria:

A. Assisting with collection of data for reporting.

B. Completes paperwork in a timely fashion.

1. Complete charting/charging by the end of the assigned shift.

2. Review charting for errors before electronically signing.

3. Report any unresolved charting/charging discrepancies to the immediate supervisor for resolution.

C. Follow policies and procedures when administering care.

D. Report quality issues to management for review.

9. Age Appropriate Care: Provides age-appropriate care to:

____Infant ___ Child __X__ Adolescent ___X__ Adult ___X__ Geriatric

Criteria:

A. Demonstrates knowledge and skills of normal growth & development necessary to provide services to the age of the patient served by the department.

B. Demonstrates ability to assess and interpret age specific data to identify patient needs.

C. Utilizes communication skills necessary to interpret age specific responses to service and interaction.

D. Involves family or significant other in decision making related to services provided.

E. Demonstrates ability to provide service needed for the age groups routinely served by the department assigned.

F. Position specific: Able to titrate dosages and applications to fit the needs of the various growth and development stages. Recognizing that each stage requires different considerations and methods.

10. Specialized Care: Provides specialized care to patients at high risk for injury. (1, 2, 4, 5, 8) (include if appropriate)

Criteria:

A. Restraint Care

1. Initiates/evaluates alternatives to restraint prior to application.

2. Applies restraints consistent with the approved procedure.

3. Monitors and assesses patient's response throughout the restraint