Respiratory Therapist, TJS 6p-6a

Respiratory Therapist

Under the supervision of the Director of Respiratory Care and by physician order, administers all aspects of Respiratory care in a safe, effective manner.

Minimum Education

• Currently licensed and eligible to practice Respiratory Care in Kentucky.
• CPR, ACLS, PALS Required.

Minimum Work Experience

• Experience preferred but will provide on the job training.

Required Licenses

• Respiratory Therapists - Registered Respiratory Care Therapist

Physical Requirements

• Sitting - 1-15%
• Walking - 16-31%
• Standing - 16-31%
• Bending/Squatting - 16-31%
• Climbing/Kneeling - 1-15%
• Twisting - 1-15%

Visual and Hearing Requirements

• Must be able to see with corrective eye wear if needed and read small print 20/20.
• Must be able to hear clearly with assistance if needed and hear high and low pitched sounds.
• Distinguish sounds on a telephone.
• Distinguish colors.

Physical/Environmental requirements

• Lifting - 0 -50 lbs, 50 or more with assistance
• Carrying - 0- 50 lbs, 50 or more with assistance
• Pulling - Up to 100 lbs
• Pushing - Up to 100 lbs
• Must be able to work 8-12 hours shifts.
• Must work weekends and holidays.

Essential Functions

• Maintains current CPR
• Assess patients systematically using clinical skills to establish and maintain the appropriate level of Respiratory Care to be administered.
• Adheres to policies and procedures regarding personal protective equipment, hand hygiene, patient isolations procedure and proper identification of patient.
• Documents necessary information regarding patient care, patient responses, and billing within the department and medical records.
• Demonstrates the assessment skills and ability to act independently in recognizing signs and symptoms of failure in the critically ill patient.
• Is able to make recommendations to physician based on information from assessment of intervention such as NIPPV or Mechanical Ventilation.
• Monitors the mechanically ventilated, critically ill patient by observing patients response and recognizing any adverse reactions and acting appropriately.
• Acts independently in the appropriate set up and use of NIPPV. RCP ensures the proper mask fit, adequate settings and bale to adjust parameters per lab values.
• Is able to assess patient ability to be off and to recognize patient inability to tolerate treatment.
• Communicates with family information about all mechanical devices used to support respiratory system and educates on diseases related to respiratory system and explains the effect on the patient's disease.
• Performs ABG puncture and analysis on critically ill patients.
• Consistently processes his/her own equipment including cleaning, sterilizing, drying, assembling and operation verification when applicable.
• Prepares assembles, and verifies function of all respiratory care equipment and is able to perform minor troubleshooting of all equipment.
• Assure that all areas that he/she is responsible for are well stocked.
• Appropriately removes medications from the medication system, and ensures accuracy in count, name and medication type.
• Accurately and completely enters information required documentation of medication administration.

Infant/Pediatrics

• Assesses infant/pediatric patients using appropriate clinical skills for the specific age group (behavior, non verbal signs and lab values).
• Interacts with patient and family to educate on disease and disease symptoms related to respiratory problems. Education will include mediations and home equipment used to deliver respiratory mediations.
• Sets up, operates, and monitors infant mechanical ventilation. Participates in the care of the critically ill infant/child. Assists in the coordination of care to include transport.
• Performs arterial and capillary blood gas sampling, appropriately caring for the sample and recognizing an unacceptable sample.

Organizational Expectations

• T.J. Pledge
• I Will Show Compassion
• -see all patients, family members, coworkers, physicians, and anyone else at T.J. as my customer.
• -recognize that each and every interaction I have at T.J. Regional Health matters
• -show kindness and compassion towards my customers at all times
• -be sensitive to the personal and private needs of every customer
• I Will Cooperate With Others
• -maintain zero tolerance for abusive behavior
• -listen and be willing to accept fault when I make a mistake
• -never underestimate the power of an apology
• -refrain from blame and judgment
• -bring a sense of calm to stressful situations
• I Will Collaborate With Others
• -value myself and every coworker as an equal part of one GREAT team working together
• -treat others in a way that I would like to be treated
• -participate only in conversations that are courteous, respectful, and reflect positively on my teammates and T.J. Regional Health
• -foster a calm and pleasant atmosphere, and refrain from gossip, rumors, and insults
• -speak honestly, seek truth, and act with integrity towards my teammates
• -value the uniqueness and expertise that each team member contributes to the whole
• -meet the need of the moment, regardless of whether or not it is considered part of my job
• I Will Communicate
• -smile - at everyone
• -always introduce myself, my role, and my purpose use body language, eye contact, and tone of voice that shows respect in every interaction
• -follow the 10/5 rule: always acknowledging people at 10 feet away with a smile and always greeting people at 5 feet away
• -escort any customer in need (visitors, patients) to their destination
• I Will Adapt To Change
• -be a part of the solution when I am presented with a challenge
• -embrace change and set the example for those around me
• -accept openly when there are changes that T.J. Regional and/or I have no control over
• -manage the expectations of others by explaining duration and next steps as often as needed
• I Will Be A Champion
• -serve with passion
• -view myself as an owner of T.J. Regional Health and act accordingly
• -take responsibility for the physical appearance of T.J. Regional Health, including my work area
• -go out of my way to daily thank and compliment my customers and coworkers
• -dare to make a difference and be exceptional
• -constantly try to improve myself and T.J. Regional Health
• -speak positively about T.J. Regional, while at work and in public places outside of work

Qualifications

Preferred Education

Associates or better.

Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.