Respiratory Therapist (RRT)

Registered Respiratory Therapist

SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital, a LEVEL 1 Time Critical Diagnosis hospital in Stroke, Trauma and STEMI, is at the forefront of ground-breaking medical treatments, procedures, clinical trials and comprehensive patient care.

We are seeking a Registered Respiratory Therapist to join our team and are pleased to extend a $20,000 Sign on Bonus to new, external candidates!

Schedule: Full-time, Night-shift. 36 Hours/Week, 3x12-Hour Shifts/Week. Rotating holidays and weekends.

Shift Differentials: Available for nights, weekends and additional shifts

RRT MO Licensure Required

Job Summary:

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:

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

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

Implements and assess the function of oxygen and therapeutic gas.

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

Provide aerosolized medication.

Provide CPT and IPV.

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

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

Performs CPR

Perform diagnostic procedures including but not limited to:

ABG analysis

Pulse Oximetry

Nitric Oxide pulmonary hypertension studies

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.

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

Vital signs before and after therapy.

Breath sounds before and after therapy.

Checking for physician orders for therapy.

Pre and post assessment for therapy tolerance and response.

Oxygen requirements.

Sputum color, viscosity and quantity.

Other patient specific observations as needed.

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

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

Perform routine checks on Life Support Unit.

Assist with bronchoscopy procedure.

Assist with minor cardiopulmonary invasive or surgical procedures.

Perform tracheotomy care.

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

Perform bedside pulmonary function procedures.

Interpretation of complex lab data.

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

Provide input on patient care via physician consultations.

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

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

Perform all other aspects of Respiratory Care in accordance with hospital policies and procedures.

Performs other duties as required.

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

Routine mechanical maintenance of respiratory equipment.

Maintain neat and clean work and storage areas.

Maintain neat and accurate records.

Answer phone in a professional and timely manner.

Practices according to safety and infection control policies.

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

Maintains clutter free environment.

Keeps conversations and background noise to a minimum.

Adheres to dress code.

Reports risk management concerns.

Assumes responsibility for completing all annual mandatory requirements:

Safety/Fire

Blood Borne Pathogen

Hazardous Communication

TB

Department Specific

Age Appropriate Care (for clinical staff only)

BLS/ALS per recertification guidelines of AHA

Work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner.

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

Explain therapy to the patient prior to initiation.

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

Respects patients' rights.

Practice commitment of patient confidentiality.

Incorporates Quality Assessment into one's daily work.

Assisting with collection of data for reporting.

Completes paperwork in a timely fashion.

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

Review charting for errors before electronically signing.

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

Follow policies and procedures when administering care.

Report quality issues to management for review.

Provides age-appropriate care to:

Infant Child Adolescent Adult Geriatric

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Provides specialized care to patients at high risk for injury.

Initiates/evaluates alternatives to restraint prior to application.

Applies restraints consistent with the approved procedure.

Monitors and assesses patient's response throughout the restraint period at the appropriate intervals.

Assesses patient for presence of pain on admission and during assessments/reassessments.

Incorporates patient's cultural/spiritual beliefs regarding pain into pain management plan.

Implement pain management techniques. Focus on prevention rather than treatment.

Include patient and/or family members in developing a pain management plans.

Consider other methods of pain control when developing plan of care: massage, repositioning, immobilization, and music therapy.

Is aware of abuse recognition criteria and incorporates it into assessments.

Reports signs of possible abuse/neglect to the physician & Risk Management, and recommends appropriate consultations (psychiatric, Social Work) for evaluation.

The performance of this function is the reason the job exists.

There are limited employees among whom the performance of this function can be distributed.

This function occupies a great deal of the employee's time.

This function is highly specialized. Employees are hired for the skill/ability to perform this function.

Failure to perform this function may have serious consequences.

This function was performed by past employees, and is performed by current employees.

Exposure to blood borne pathogens that require the use of protective equipment.

Exposure to tuberculosis that requires the use of protective equipment.

Work requires the knowledge and skills necessary to provide direct patient care appropriate to patient population of specialty:

Job Specifications

MINIMUM EDUCATION: Graduate of an AMA approved school Respiratory Therapy preferred.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE: Leadership