Respiratory Therapist - Respiratory Therapy - Full Time (Weekend)

Respiratory Therapist

To perform respiratory therapy treatment modalities, patient assessments, and life support interventions in all treatment areas, including the Intensive Care Unit and Emergency Department. To determine appropriate course of respiratory treatment using defined and approved patient driven and therapist driven protocols. To be knowledgeable and competent in all aspects of mechanical ventilation initiation and management, endotracheal intubation assistance, and airway protection and maintenance during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. To take charge responsibly and assist provider during bronchoscopies, where applicable. Demonstrate knowledge and principles of growth and development necessary to provide care for patients of all age groups and other demographics and engage in the prioritization of job duties in a safe and timely manner and to assist team members when the individual's workload is completed. May be required to work weekends, holidays, and alternative shifts on the occasion that shift vacancies arise from retirements and planned or unplanned medical or other leave.

Experience: 1 year of experience in a healthcare setting is preferred. New graduates will be considered upon review of clinical activity during their education. RRT-ACCS, RRT-NPS, AE-C, and/or COPD-E is preferential, but not required.

Education: Must be a graduate of a CoARC approved Respiratory Therapy Program and have successfully passed the Registered Respiratory Therapist exam administered by the National Board of Respiratory Care and remain in good standing. Associates is required, Baccalaureate preferred. Must be certified in BLS within 1-month of employment. Must be certified in ACLS, PALS, & NRP within 1-year of employment. S.T.A.B.L.E. certification is preferred

Licenses: Must hold a current license in the state in which hired. PA hospitals require Pennsylvania State Licensing of Respiratory Care Practitioner through the State Board of Medicine or State Board of Osteopathic Medicine. NY hospitals require NY State licensing of Licensed Respiratory Therapist.

Essential Functions:

1. Ability to make rapid and clinically sound decisions with a variety of details efficiently and effectively and demonstration of initiative and sound judgement in problem solving.
2. Demonstrates knowledge and competence in all areas of respiratory care.
3. Ability to multitask and prioritize work in accordance with the change in patient acuity and workload. Functions independently in all patient care areas and demonstrates initiative in completing work assignments.
4. Determines appropriate therapy and adjusts treatment plans accordingly based on approved patient and RT driven protocols.
5. Consistently provides accurate and thorough documentation in the EHR per departmental, organizational, and regulatory agency requirements.
6. Manages mechanical ventilation including initiation, maintenance, and weaning according to ventilator management and weaning protocols and policy.
7. Engages in interdisciplinary collaboration 1:1 and during interdisciplinary rounding by providing dialogue of assessments and recommendations for mechanically and non-invasively ventilated patients daily, including recommendations for the collection of additional data through radiological studies, blood gas analysis, and other laboratory reports. Seeks consult when appropriate.
8. Recognizes emergency situations and initiates proper plan of action.
9. Assists with bronchoscopy procedures in accordance with policy.
10. Evaluate various diagnostic procedures including PFTS, ABG and VBGs, chest x-rays, ventilator wave forms, oximetry, and end tidal CO2 monitoring.
11. Provides patient and family education.
12. Assists with the orientation of new hires and the precepting of students.
13. Ensures equipment is clean, assembled appropriately, and compliant with preventive maintenance requirements when appropriate.
14. Demonstrates cost effective patient care by utilizing resources responsibly.
15. Maintains a clean and orderly work environment.

Other Duties:

1. Maintains current knowledge of and adheres to all organizational and departmental policies.
2. Maintains active status with NBRC
3. Remains current with all RQI requirements
4. Attend department meetings and mandatory in-services.
5. Assists with special projects and committees as assigned.
6. Demonstrates competencies as specified annually.
7. Practices good customer service/patient experience
8. Regularly assists coworkers as necessary.
9. Supports department and organizational QA/QI/PI initiatives and identifies opportunities for improvement.
10. Possesses high ethical standards.
11. Maintains effective inter-and-intra departmental relationships and conducts self in a professional manner.
12. Communicate effectively with all stakeholders in a courteous and tactful manner.
13. Participate in community and employee engagement activities.
14. Supports and adheres to all Guthrie Values.
15. Complies with organizational and departmental dress code standards; consistently neat and well-groomed.
16. It is understood that this description is not intended to be all inclusive of every job duty and other duties may be assigned as necessary in the performance of this position.