Respiratory Care Practitioner - Full Time, Day Shift

Job Title

Perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in hospital nursing units, emergency rooms, and intensive care units, under the direction of physicians.

In addition to the above duties, responsible for completing the minimum qualification as depicted in the Skills Delineation List for the following areas: stress test, pulmonary function, Holter monitor, EEG, provides in-service education, update and develops policy and procedures for at least one departmental function. Maintains CEUs in diagnostics, critical care/ventilator, and general cardiopulmonary.

Essential Functions / Major Responsibilities:

• Maintains knowledge of the various methods of oxygen delivery, including the necessary equipment. Remains alert, assesses possible side effects to oxygen delivery.
• Administers respiratory therapy treatments, understands the purpose of each and the possible side effects associated with each.
• Sets-up and monitors mechanical ventilators and the associated critical care duties required for such treatment, such as airway management and tracheal suctioning.
• Performs arterial punctures to obtain arterial blood samples for blood gas analysis, and understands the possible complications and contraindications associated with the procedure.
• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of, and performs the following Diagnostic testing: Chemical and exercise cardiac stress tests, Holter monitors and cardiac event monitors, EEGs, pulmonary function testing to include spirometry, lung volumes, and DLCO.
• Follows departmental equipment cleaning sterilization procedures.
• Documents all pertinent data on the patient's medical record following completion of any service.
• Maintains a thorough knowledge of all departmental forms, flow charts, logbooks and their proper usage.
• Performs EKGs, sends reports to physicians who requested them and files reports in department, according to department procedures.
• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of the differences in techniques and treatment modalities as performed on patients of varying ages, including new-born pediatric, adolescent and geriatric patients.
• Demonstrations knowledge and understanding of oxygen concentrations and medication doses as they relate to patients of varying ages, including pediatric, adolescent and geriatric patients.
• Manages and operates equipment safely and correctly; inspects and tests respiratory therapy equipment to ensure that it is functioning safely and efficiently
• Formulates a teaching plan based on identified learning needs of a patient and evaluates effectiveness of learning; patients' families are included in teaching as appropriate.
• Coordinates and directs patient care to ensure patients' needs are met and that hospital policy is followed.
• Assesses patients, patients' needs, and reassesses for response to treatment.
• Attends education inservice programs to maintain professional competency. Obtains appropriate hospital-specific education and training.
• Participates in performance improvement activities and CQI teams when discussion pertains to departmental concerns, workflow and mission.

Displays proper etiquette and mannerisms that reflect the Service Standard Behavior Guidelines.

• Promotes the Patient Safety Standards as a core value of the organization.

Secondary Functions:

Participates in departmental and hospitalwide informational meetings and inservices, including staff meetings, hospitalwide forums, and seminars.

Reviews department and hospitalwide policies and procedures annually.

All other duties as assigned.

Additional / Seasonal Responsibilities:

• Attends annual review and departmental inservices, as appropriate.
• Attends staff meetings; reads and returns all monthly staff meeting minutes.

Job Scope:

Recurring work situations with occasional variations from the norm.

A high level of complexity.

Typical operation from established and well-known procedures.

Performance of duties with independently-minimal supervision.

Supervisory Responsibility: None.

Interpersonal Contacts:

Contacts:

Are normally made with others within the hospital.

Are with own department, staff, and supervisor as well as other departments or locations.

Contain some discussion about confidential/sensitive matters.

Include face-to-face and telephone contact, with little e-mail.

Include contact with staff, patients, and physicians.

Specific Job Skills & Mental Activities:

This position requires the ability to perform clinical and diagnostic procedures and treatments within the scope of service of the Cardiopulmonary department. This position also requires operational knowledge of office equipment in the Cardiopulmonary department as well as department specific equipment, including: EKG machine, scanner, fax, printer, phone systems, computer, and commonly used hospital computer programs (including Hospital Information Systems, MS Office, e-mail, and internet). Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English. Must also be service oriented and have excellent customer service skills, computer skills, problem-solving skills, decision-making skills, organizational skills, multitasking skills, professional interpersonal skills, time management skills, the ability to prioritize work, and telephone etiquette.

Education and/or Experience:

High school diploma or equivalent (required).

Graduate of an AMA-approved School of Respiratory Therapy (required).

AZ State Respiratory Care license (required).

Basic computer skills (required).

CPR/BLS Certification (required).

ACLS Certification within six months of hire date (required).

PALS Certification within six months of hire date (required).

NRP Certification within six months of hire date (required).

1-2 years related experience (preferred).

Physical Demands & Job Conditions:

Exert up to 100 lbs. of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 lbs. of force frequently, and/or up to 20 lbs. of force constantly to move objects. The worker is exposed to moderate lifting, extensive computer work, and contact with chemicals and infectious fluids.

Physical motions include finger dexterity, standing, walking, stooping, talking, reaching, feeling, sitting, bending, kneeling, grasping, listening/hearing, handling, lifting up to 100 pounds, and repetitive motions of the hands, wrists, and feet.

This is a safety sensitive position

OSHA Exposure Category:

Involves exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues.