Graduate Respiratory Therapist (RT) - Adults

Respiratory Therapist

Location: Advocate Christ Medical Center (Adults) - 4440 W. 95th St, Oak Lawn

Shift: 1st - Day Shift

FTE: 0.9 - 36 hours per week

Summary: Responsible for providing and coordinating comprehensive respiratory care. The respiratory therapist administers respiratory care procedures and modalities in accordance with established standards, policies, and procedures. Using evidence-based practices, clinical decision making, and skilled communication, the therapist compassionately leads efforts to create the safest patient environment and the best patient experience across the continuum, under the guidance of a licensed respiratory therapist in designated areas per site discretion.

Major Responsibilities:

• Responsible for providing and coordinating comprehensive respiratory care. The respiratory therapist administers respiratory care procedures and modalities in accordance with established standards, policies, and procedures. Using evidence-based practices, clinical decision making, and skilled communication, the therapist compassionately leads efforts to create the safest patient environment and the best patient experience across the continuum, under the guidance of a licensed respiratory therapist in designated areas per site discretion.
• Operates specialized ventilators in critical and non-critical care venues. Assists physician with bedside or other procedures as applicable to facility.
• Provides medication treatments and therapies per physician order and/or patient driven respiratory protocols (PDRP's) as prescribed.
• Cleans, maintains and ensures proper functionality of equipment. Can troubleshoot equipment as necessary and identifies the need for service and/or repair.
• Educates and instructs patients in purpose, technique, self-care, goal of therapy, and disease management.
• Facilitates clinical problem solving and collaborates with other departments to provide education on managing patients.
• Under physician direction, the respiratory therapist must be able to adapt and comply to policies and procedures for a variety of different service areas, perform tasks and/or special duties as required by assignment and maintain performance standards and organizational behaviors.
• Promotes a culture of safety by recognizing and applying proper safety measures to prevent patient harm. Reports patient safety events and near misses in a timely manner. Seeks to identify potential safety issues and assists in the implementation of corrective actions.
• Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the department's policies and procedures. Age-specific information is developed further in the departmental job standards.

Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Required:

• Respiratory Therapist certification (CRT) issued by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) needs to be obtained within 45 days, and
• Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA), and
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification (ACLS) issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) needs to be obtained within 0 months unless department leader has determined it is not required, and
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) needs to be obtained within 0 months unless department leader has determined it is not required, and
• Adult Critical Care Specialist (ACCS) certification issued by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) needs to be obtained within 0 months unless department leader has determined it is not required, and
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA)/American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) needs to be obtained within 0 months unless department leader has determined it is not required, and
• Neonatal/Pediatric Respiratory Specialist (NPS) issued by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) needs to be obtained within 0 months unless department leader has determined it is not required.

Education Required:

• Associate's Degree in Respiratory Therapy.

Experience Required:

• No experience required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• Demonstrates effective communication, feedback, and conflict resolution skills.
• Effective organizational, interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
• Problem solving and decision making for patient care and equipment use.
• Proficient computer skills, use of electronic mail and electronic medical record systems.
• Excellent communication (written and verbal), listening and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrates human relation skills with the ability to develop rapport and maintain positive, professional relationships with a variety of patients, team members, and physicians. Ability to take initiative and work collaboratively with others.
• Demonstrates time management skills with an ability to multi-task and prioritize in an environment with frequent interruptions.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.
• Must be able to lift 50 lb object from knee to waist.
• Must be able to lift 50 lb from floor to waist height occasionally.
• Must be able to lift 40 lb at waist height and carry it across various distances.
• Must be able to lift 20 lb from waist to overhead.
• Must be able to push/pull while utilizing 30# of force occasionally for long distances.
• Must demonstrate stand-pivot transfer from bed to chair.
• Must perform sliding transfer of 150 lbs person on a sheet across 2 feet with a second person.
• Must utilize safe body mechanics at all times.
• This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.