Registered Respiratory Therapist - Pulmonary 23

Job summary


Job description/Responsibilities: Full-Time (0.9)
NOC SHIFT
APPROXIMATE PAY RANGE:
$53.69 - $68.01
JOB SUMMARY:
Promotes healing of acutely ill patients whose cardiac or pulmonary systems have been compromised through illness or injury through the provision of respiratory care, diagnostic testing, providing for the psycho-social needs of the patient, and patient education. Encourages and enhances the progression and efficient operation of the Cardiopulmonary Services Pulmonary services department.
Treats patients from newborn, pediatrics, adolescents, young, middle, and older adults. When requested, assists day-to-day operations of the Pulmonary services department, referring out-of-the ordinary issues to the Manager and/or Medical Director, as appropriate. Provides diagnostic testing to the patient to help optimize the total care given. Performs arterial punctures for blood gas analysis; knowledge in the operation, maintenance, troubleshooting and quality control of ABG analyzers.
Abilities to use mechanical ventilators, bi-level ventilation equipment, EZPAP, peak flow meters, ability to perform respiratory assessment, and perform CPT. Displays the ability to apply mechanical ventilation, both invasive and non-invasive, to ensure the best possible outcome for the patients. Additionally, performs all duties as outline in the Policy and Procedure manual and as licensed by the state of California through the Respiratory Care Board.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
-Demonstrates accurate administration of respiratory medications; verbalizes knowledge of restrictions/precautions that apply to medication administration; recognizes generic/trade drug names.
-After a thorough review of the chart to verify proper prescription by a physician, and appropriateness of the procedures ordered, will perform procedures accurately and in a timely manner.
-Performs assessment of the patient, determining needs related to the frequency and duration of the treatment regime ordered by the MD. Requests re-order when necessary and communicate with nurse and MD about discrepancies and concerns.
-Initiates and follows through with protocols described in the policy and procedure manual and as approved by the department and medical staff.
-Observe the response of the patients to therapy, evaluate and record in the patient's record. Immediately reports adverse reactions with the ordering physician.
-Maintains department master record, recording procedures performed, new starts and DCs in a timely manner, and noting reasons for any missed treatments.
-Maintains proper critical care records, (flow sheets and charts) Chart treatments and procedures accurately in the patient's medical record immediately upon completion. Enters appropriate information into the hospital computer system accurately and completely.
-Participates in Multidisciplinary Care Planning by attending care conferences and by keeping care plans up to date.
-Respond to emergent situations in the hospital and assist with providing CPR/ACLS as certified by the American Heart Association and as directed by the hospital procedure.
-Assist with the ongoing evaluation and renewal of therapy by direct communication with ordering practitioners as directed by policy and as assigned.
-Makes oxygen rounds as necessary and appropriate, causing the safe and effective use of supplies and equipment. Provide for the titration of oxygen as described by Protocol.
-Provides instruction to patients, family, staff, and students about theory, therapy, and equipment used in Respiratory Care procedures and techniques, and documents such as required. Provides instruction and referral for Homecare patients and their families/caregivers.
-Demonstrates competence and provides for the cleaning, sterilization, assembly, and maintenance of equipment and stocking of supplies in the department and the floors, as necessary and appropriate.
-Provides complete report to on-coming personnel and takes a complete report from off-going personnel. Will act as Team Lead as assigned, performing the duties and responsibilities described in that job description to the best of your ability.
-Participates in annual clinical competency education.
Seek to improve performance by participating in self-development activities, in-services, and continuing education that is appropriate for the effective and efficient delivery of Respiratory Care. May be requested to prepare and provide in-service presentations to the staff.
-Assists in the orientation of new nursing, RC personnel, and students to the department, ICU/CCU, ER, Nursery, and throughout the hospital.
-Provides developmentally appropriate care to support patients of all ages during their hospitalization. Demonstrates competence in the care of neonatal, pediatric, adult, or frail elderly groups of patients (when/if assigned to these patients) relative to determining each patient's age-related and other physical, psychosocial, and cultural needs and carrying out patient care activities.
-Supports multidisciplinary quality assessment and improvement activities by participating in improving important aspects of care.
Participates in improving care by serving on committees or task forces, collecting data when appropriate, and sharing ideas for improvement.
-Serves on Process Improvement Teams as requested and reports significant quality and/or risk-related problems to the Quality Assurance Department on the appropriate forms
-Become proficient in and provide quality control and regular maintenance of the Blood Gas Analyzers.
-Able to competently assist on intubation of neonatal and adult patients per ACLS/NRP guidelines.
-Observe that proper safety measures are enforced in the techniques used on patients receiving therapy. Maintains high safety standards in the hospital.
-Makes daily rounds and checks all emergency equipment and supplies.
-Demonstrates knowledge of specialized examinations and tests associated with respiratory care and understands the reasons for the individual patient's needs and respiratory care plan.
-Performs EKG testing as necessary and as requested in the absence of the regular Cardiology Staff.
-Works in potentially hazardous conditions following all the guidelines provided by the hospital regarding Infection Control, HAZ/MAT, and Safety/Disaster.
-Maintains knowledge of recent advances in medical principles of respiratory therapy equipment, procedures, and drugs.
-Answers and responds to all calls and pages of the Pulmonary Department.
-Maintains an orderly and neat department and work area at all times.
-Always practices good customer relations skills.
-Attends departmental meetings and in-services to stay current with the developments of the department and hospital.
-Maintains open and effective communications with patients and their nurses, physicians, peers, supervisors, and students. Establishes and maintains excellent interdepartmental and interpersonal relationships.
-Accesses the hospital email system a minimum of once per shift worked, reviewing all hospital and departmental communication.
-Maintains a good attendance record and follows all hospital rules, policies and procedures.
-Performs other duties as assigned or required.


Required Qualification: EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, TRAINING
1. Valid Respiratory Care Practitioner License in CA required.
2. RRT Credential required.
3. Current Basic Life Support (BLS) required.
4. Current Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) required.
5. Neonatal Resuscitation (NRP) required.
6. Sexual Harassment/ Bullying Prevention Certification required. (1 month from hire)
7. Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) preferred.
8. CPFT preferred.
9. Membership in AARC and/or CSRC preferred.
10. Graduate of a recognized COARC or JRCRTE/AMA Respiratory Care Educational Program required.
11. Minimum 2 years previous hospital experience preferred.
12. Emergency Room, Critical Care, Pediatric, Neonatal, Adult, and Geriatric experience preferred.


Job Family: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations


Occupations: Respiratory Therapists


Degree Required: High School Diploma/Ged Or Higher