Respiratory Registered Therapist Specialty, Per Diem, Nights

Respiratory Therapist

Jackson North Medical Center

Department: Respiratory Department

Shift details: Per Diem, Nights

Summary: RRT Specialty performs all respiratory care related duties in their assigned specialty, under the direction of an Attending Physician or CMO. This includes setting up and administering all routine and complex respiratory therapy procedures to patient treatment in assigned area, ensuring the best possible therapy coverage. The RRT Specialty may be responsible for the application and operation of acute care ventilators used for continuous short and long-term mechanical ventilation of adults, pediatrics, and neonates. The Respiratory Specialty Therapist must be capable of caring for patients in one of the following specialized areas: Pediatrics, Trauma, Transplant, or ECHMO, or be able to provide Nitricoxide Therapy or Sunshine Therapy. Work is typically performed under the supervision of a department head or director; guided by general administrative policies and procedures. Therapists are expected to be self-directed in the absence of the full-time Team Leader and may take charge or lead worker duties when needed. All medical job activities may be performed independently, under direction of an attending physician or CMO.

Responsibilities:

• Sets up, assesses and monitors patients on ventilator or oxygenation support.
• Assists in the orientation, training and education of new respiratory care staff.
• Obtains and analyzes arterial, pulmonary artery, venous or capillary blood samples for blood gas determinations when approved and ordered by an attending physician (as applicable at assigned specific institution).
• Participates in interdepartmental and intradepartmental Quality Assessment and Improvement activities to insure continuous improvement of services provided.
• Administers aerosolized medications via small volume nebulizer, metered dose inhaler, or intermittent positive pressure breathing machine.
• Administers bronchial hygiene therapy via percussion & vibration, postural drainage, coughing, suctioning, and PEP mask therapy.
• Communicates transparently with physician and nursing staff to maintain or improve the quality of processes or outcome.
• Documents completely and accurately data obtained from assessment and monitoring of patients, equipment, and alarm settings.
• Continuously updates knowledge, skills, and competency consistent with the needs of the patient population as well as advances in science and technology.
• Monitors respiratory care practices in his/her area and notifies a supervisor of any deviations.
• Performs hemodynamic monitoring in areas, once trained, where therapists are authorized to do so (if applicable at assigned specific institution).
• Performs pulmonary monitoring in areas, once trained, where therapists are authorized to do so.
• Operates electrocardiography equipment throughout the hospital using techniques and styles appropriate to the age and safety needs of the patient population served (if applicable at specific institution).
• Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide safe cardio logical testing procedures that are appropriate to the age and safety needs of the patient population served (if applicable at specific institution).
• Prepares suitable electrocardiograms for timely interpretation by physicians (if applicable at specific institution).
• Verifies the safety and performance of equipment to be used for patient testing, and verifies preventive maintenance status, prior to use.
• Records all patients visits and tests performed in appropriate format, either manual or electronic.
• Follows organization wide and unit specific age-specific, safety security and infection control Standards, and attends appropriate orientation and training courses to maintain competency in job skills and knowledge.
• Respects the rights, privacy and property of others at all times including the confidentiality of information, according to Administrative Policy and Procedure Manual.
• Relates and interacts well with others relative to their age specific, physical and psychosocial needs.
• Participates in quality improvement activities to insure continuous improvement of services provided.
• Registered Respiratory Therapists can be assigned Charge/Lead worker responsibilities. These include, but are not limited to: Liaises with other departments in the delivery of respiratory care services. Assists in the orientation, training and education of respiratory care staff through in-service presentations. Follows and performs all related unit specific policies and procedures, as detailed on the unit specific competency check-list. Utilizes job and unit specific equipment as required.
• The position assigned to Holtz Pediatric units will also attend ground and air transports for Pediatric and Neonatal patients as needed to cover the transport team. The will assist with patient assignments should there be a staffing shortage; this includes responding to the other areas under the responsibility and care of the Pedi Respiratory Care Department, or any other assigned specialty area. The position assigned to Pediatric ER department may perform additional duties as assigned by the nurse manager, which include but not limits to perform EKG, IStat, Glucose check, maintain respiratory supplies and equipment, and may assist in the transport of Pediatric patients to and from treatment area.
• All independently performed job duties must be under executed under direction of an Attending or CMO. Demonstrates behaviors of service excellence and CARE values (Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Expertise). Performs all other related job duties as assigned.

Generally requires 3 to 5 years of related experience.

Associate's degree is required for employees hired after 3/1/2020. Bachelor's degree is strongly preferred. Any employee who will be performing Point of Care and testing in the Operating Room, Neuro ICU, NICU, PICU, Pedi-ER, Cath Lab and/or Interventional Radiology areas, the educational degree must be verified at the time of hire. Minimum education level required to be verified is Associate's degree.

Ability to analyze, organize and prioritize work accurately while meeting multiple deadlines. Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form. Ability to handle difficult and stressful situations with critical thinking and professional composure. Ability to understand and follow instructions. Ability to exercise sound and independent judgment. Knowledge and skill in use of job appropriate technology and software applications. Must meet and maintain current all unit specific and organizational skills/competencies, certifications/licensures, as required by the nursing area. The Respiratory Specialty Therapist must be capable of caring for patients in one of the following specialized areas: Pediatrics, Trauma, Transplant, or ECHMO, or be able to provide Nitricoxide Therapy or Sunshine Therapy.

Valid Florida State Respiratory License and Registered Respiratory Therapist from the National Board for Respiratory Care is required. American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) and any additional applicable life support certification for Healthcare Providers is required upon hire with at least 6 months validity and maintenance at JHS for the duration of employment. Any employee who works in areas Pediatrics (NICU/Pediatric ER) must have current Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification; Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification may be required based on business unit or departmental need. STABLE certificate is preferred for RRT's assigned to NICU.

Adv Cardiovascular LifeSupport (ACLS) Pediatrics Advance Life Supp (PALS) Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) Basic Life Support (BLS)

Physical Requirements - Job function requires extended standing or walking. Must be able to carry objects weighing 21 to 50 pounds. Able to lift or move objects weighing 51 to 100 pounds with the use of appropriate devices. Jobs in this group require frequent visual acuity to perform activities related to extended use of computers. Additional information and provision requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by the home unit/department in collaboration with the Reasonable Accommodations Committee (RAC). Environmental Conditions - Jobs in this group are required to function in a fast paced environment with occasional high pressure or emergent and stressful situations. Frequent interaction with a diverse population including team members, providers, patients, insurance companies and other members of the public. Function is subject to inside environmental conditions, with occasional outdoor exposures. Exposure to various environments such as: communicable diseases, toxic substances, medicinal preparations and other conditions common to a hospital and medical office environment. May also be exposed to needle sticks, airborne infections, medical gases, X-Ray, chemical exposures and other potential hazards. Must wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when exposed to infectious/clinical hospital environment. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions. Additional information and provision requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by the home unit/department in collaboration with the Reasonable Accommodations Committee (RAC).