Registered Respiratory Therapist

Incumbent Registered Respiratory Therapist

The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. The Incumbent Registered Respiratory Therapist is responsible for providing basic and advanced Respiratory services to adult and geriatric patients at VA Central Iowa HCS; however, the therapist must be knowledgeable regarding the basic treatment of all age groups. The Therapist plans, implements and evaluates the effectiveness of respiratory care procedures. Services are rendered in collaboration with the ordering provider, either by specific orders, policy or established protocol. These functions and responsibilities are supported by education and administrative oversight. Periodically specific functions may change. The primary services include, but are not limited to:

• Collect, review and evaluate relevant clinical data from the medical records, care team, patient and patient's family to ensure appropriate care when indicated.
• Monitoring patients receiving mechanical ventilation, assisting with bronchoscopy, using techniques that include interpretation of clinical data, describing and interpreting arterial blood gas values and acid base balance.
• Apply clinical expertise in such a manner as to upgrade patient care when indicated and assist the provider in formulating an appropriate respiratory care plan based upon patient assessment, history, lung auscultation, chest x-ray, pulse oximetry, etc.
• Maintain Non-Operating Room Airway Management (NORAM) privileges.
• Communicate changes in the respiratory care plan and/or patient status to other health care team members as appropriate. Additionally, the incumbent will make recommendations to providers regarding changes in treatment based upon patient observation and diagnostic test values.
• Provide effective and relevant education to the patient, family, students, and facility staff when appropriate.
• Perform both fundamental and advanced diagnostic procedures.
• Perform both emergency and acute Respiratory Care procedures in accordance with departmental guidelines and industry standards.
• Actively participate in departmental quality assurance and hospital organizational performance improvement. The Therapist will comply with all medical center policies and procedures regarding safety practices. The Therapist will demonstrate working knowledge of the appropriate safety protocols.
• Maintain clinical and professional competency based upon established standards of practice.
• Provide care in face-to-face settings, telephone settings and via telehealth modalities.
• Assembles, checks, and corrects malfunctions and performs quality controls on respiratory care equipment.
• Participate in in-service education pertaining to respiratory therapy, maintaining a close relationship with other disciplines and students who may rotate through the health care facility.
• Perform duties as assigned by management
• Consistently communicates and treats customers (veterans, their representatives, visitors and all VA staff) in a courteous, tactful and respectful manner. The therapist will provide the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures and will handle conflicts and problems while dealing with customers constructively and appropriately.
• Routinely identifies any customer/patient situation properly and performs the task necessary to resolve the customer/patient's problem accurately and in a timely manner. The patient shall be involved in decisions affecting the care provided and follow-up as necessary will be performed to ensure a satisfactory resolution.
• Listen to the patient/customer feedback, positive and negative, act to resolve complaints within his/her control, and report information regarding this feedback to the supervisor in a timely manner.
• Consistently responds to patients, families, visitors and co-workers request for assistance promptly and in a friendly and cooperative manner.

Work Schedule: Full-time 7:30 p.m.-8:00 a.m. / every other weekend

Telework: Not available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized