Respiratory Therapist - Dayshift FT

Cornerstone Specialty Hospitals Round Rock is a long-term acute care (LTAC) hospital specializing in the treatment of patients recovering from post-intensive care and medically complex conditions. Our hospital provides 3 different levels of care to include LTACH, inpatient rehab, and outpatient wound care.  Our hospital provides both intensive care and telemetry-level services, offering advanced monitoring and support for patients requiring extended medical care. With a multidisciplinary team dedicated to personalized treatment plans, we focus on helping patients achieve significant recovery and transition to the next level of care.  Our 12-bed acute rehabilitation unit is designed for patients who are ready to progress to intensive therapy for 15 hours a week.  We also offer outpatient wound care, with 2 treatment rooms and a Hyperbaric oxygen suite with 2 individual chambers.

Job Summary

Responsible for administering safe and competent respiratory care as ordered per physician, monitoring mechanical ventilation, administering medications, patient assessment, understanding ramifications of hemodynamic monitoring, understanding blood work results, monitoring, teaching, and training.

Essential Functions 

• Competent delivery of Respiratory Care procedures in all areas of the hospital as outlined in the Respiratory Care policies, procedures and protocols. 
• Maintain accurate and complete documentation and charge capture of all Respiratory Care procedures. Develop, document and maintain respiratory care elements of the patient plan of care. 
• Verify and initiate all physician orders for Respiratory Care.
• Demonstrate competency and working knowledge of all Respiratory Care instruments and equipment. Perform troubleshooting, problem resolution and proper disinfection/sterilization. 
• Initiate, monitor and maintain oxygen/aerosol delivery devices and non-invasive and invasive mechanical ventilation devices. 
• Perform effective airway management including oral/nasal airway placement, bag/mask ventilation, intubation and/or intubation assistance, emergent and scheduled tracheostomy tube changes. Demonstrate safe and appropriate suction techniques and use of artificial airways. Initiate and perform "CPR". 
• Perform tracheostomy, endotracheal tube and oral care.
• Implement one way speaking valve trials per physician order. 
• Assist physician with diagnostic and therapeutic bronchoscopy procedures. 
• Complete initial and ongoing decannulation risk assessments with appropriate interventions and documentation.
• Perform and document timely Spontaneous Breathing Trial assessments for weaning readiness. Initiate and advance mechanical ventilator weaning per protocol.
• Actively participate in the multidisciplinary early patient mobility program 
• Perform pulse oximetry and carbon dioxide gas monitoring.
• Perform arterial blood gas (ABG) sampling and analysis. 
• Perform and document ongoing ABG analyzer quality control and maintenance as required. 
• Perform and document patient and family teaching/education.
• Provide and receive accurate and complete patient handoff reports. 
• Participate in department/hospital in-services, meetings, and patient care rounds.
• Notify immediate supervisor of changes in workload and patient acuity.
• Provide timely and accurate updates to healthcare team members and make recommendations for modification to patient therapy as clinically indicated. 
• Assist in orientation and training of new employees/ students, and precept new employees during orientation.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities/Expectations

• Ability to work under stress and to respond quickly in emergency situations.
• Utilize appropriate interpersonal communication skills when interacting with all healthcare team members, patients, and their families.
• Understands principles of lifespan growth and development with the ability to provide care appropriate for the adult and geriatric patient population.
• Ability to work cooperatively as a member of a team.
• Must have good and regular attendance.
• Must read, write and speak fluent English.
• Approximate percent of time required to travel: 0% 
• Performs other related duties as assigned. 

Education

• Postsecondary (Cert/Diploma/Program Grad) from an accredited respiratory therapy program (Required) Or
• Associate’s Degree from an accredited respiratory therapy program (Required)

Licenses/Certifications

• RCP - Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner or comparable certification in the state of practice Upon Hire (Required) And
• CRT - Certified Radiologic Technologist or Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential Upon Hire (Preferred) And
• BCLS - Basic Life Support Upon Hire or within facility-specified time frame (Required) And
• ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support Upon Hire or within facility-specified time frame (Required)

Experience

• 1+ years related experience (Preferred)