Respiratory Therapist

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.

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

Incorporates Quality Assessment into one's daily work.

Provides age-appropriate care to:

Infant Child Adolescent Adult Geriatric

Provides specialized care to patients at high risk for injury.

Disclaimer: Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.

Rationale for Essential Functions

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 skills are desirable and should be demonstrated.

Required Registry or License: Registered with the N.B.R.C Licensed in the state of Missouri within 6 months of hire required.

Independent Action: Must demonstrate the ability to provide high quality therapy skills with moderate supervision and to make independent decisions in critical and non-critical care areas. Individuals must be energetic and motivated to support the success of a growing service.

Pressure of Work: Capable of withstanding long hours of walking and standing. Capable of tolerating the sights and sounds and odors associated with the care of the sick and dying patients. Capable of responding quickly in emergencies. Capable of lifting moderate weights. Capable of handling hazards due to exposure to inflammable and explosive gases.

Working Conditions: May be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases. Regularly exposed to the risk of blood borne diseases. Exposed to hazardous anesthetic agents, body fluids, and wastes. Subjected to electrical and radiant energy hazards. Exposure to unpleasant patient or unit elements. Contact with patients under a wide variety of circumstances. May be exposed to unpleasant elements (accidents, injuries and illness). Subject to varying and unpredictable situations. May be required to handle emergency or crisis situations. Subjected to irregular hours.

Exposed to chemicals such as isopropyl alcohol, Aerosol and cleaning solutions which are used in decontaminating equipment.

Protective Requirements:

• Eye protection
• Gowns
• Lab coat
• Mask
• Sterile and non-sterile gloves
• Lead aprons

Contact with Others:

• Demonstrate a desire and willingness to provide comfort and aid to patients.
• Cooperative and friendly to all personnel.
• Present a professional demeanor at all times.
• Always consult supervisor/senior tech when confronted with unusual situations.
• Period of Adjustment
• As per hospital probationary period.

Equipment Knowledge: Must be familiar with equipment used for therapy and diagnostic procedures.

Physical Requirements:

• Heavy Physical effort (lift, carry up to 50 lbs.)
• Prolonged, extensive, or considerable standing/walking.
• Lifts, positions, pushes, and/or transfers patients.
• Pushes/pulls or moves/lifts heavy equipment/supplies.
• Manual dexterity, mobility, and fine motor skills.
• Intermittent exertion when performing therapies.
• Considerable reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, and crouching

Vision Requirements: Ability to adjust vision for varying degrees of room light.

Required Professional License and/or Certifications State of Work Location: Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, Wisconsin

• Basic Life Support HealthCare Provider (BLS HCP) - American Heart Association