Respiratory Care Practitioner

 The R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center’s Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber (HBO), a division of Respiratory Care Services, is internationally recognized for its clinical applications of hyperbaric therapy. The chamber and staff supports treatment modalities for gas/air embolisms, carbon monoxide poisoning, radiation tissue damage, and wound healing for both critical care inpatients as well as therapeutic treatments for outpatients. Within the HBO division, the respiratory therapist will provide exceptional support to the department and staff, caring for specific inpatient and outpatient populations in a multidisciplinary setting.

Utilizing best practices, you will be responsible for chamber and unit console operations guiding safe patient care while employing your respiratory and clinical skills, work as inside tender during dives, and will assist in the education of patients and their treatments. You will partner with nursing units and service lines to coordinate patient care across the medical center, enhancing the patient’s overall experience.

Working under general supervision with approved protocols or under the order of a licensed independent provider (LIP), the Respiratory Care Practitioner II (Registered) executes assignments demonstrating a clinical competence in Respiratory Care in the selection of accurate technical factors on an individual patient basis necessary to evaluate and provide age appropriate treatment across all patient types in all locations to include cardiopulmonary dysfunction secondary to developmental defects, the aging process, physical injury or disease requiring the administration of inhaled medications, utilization of specialized ventilation equipment and performing a variety of respiratory care techniques. Adheres to all department and facility policies and procedures.

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job responsibilities performed.

1. Manages an assigned case load and responds to emergent patient needs. Functions as part of a larger team to support all patients under the department’s care.
2. Performs a variety of respiratory care treatments to specific patient populations, i.e., adult, pediatric, or neonatal. Verifies all interventions are supported by protocol or LIP order. Observes and monitors physical signs and symptoms, general behavior, general physical response to respiratory care procedures. Collaborates with LIP during patient rounds the therapeutic treatment plans to determine whether initiation, modification, or discontinuation of the treatment regimen is warranted. Adheres to Joint Commission, State, Federal, organizational and departmental regulatory compliance standards.
3. Administers therapeutic and diagnostic gases (exclusive of anesthetic agents), aerosolized medication treatments and chest physiotherapy. Administers invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation and adjusts ventilation equipment to optimize patient support. Ensures correct ventilator alarms and settings. Collaborates with the healthcare team when adjusting ventilation parameters and settings, as necessary in accordance with patient’s response. Evaluates the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions by reviewing chest x-rays, utilizing noninvasive monitor values and laboratory results. Monitors patient appearance and vital signs and consults with the LIP or a senior practitioner as necessary.
4. Documents accurate patient care activity in various electronic health records systems.
5. Contributes to departmental and organizational performance improvement initiatives and efforts to improve workflows, patient experience and quality. Participates in student and employee training and education activities.
6. Perform all other duties as assigned.

Education & Experience - Required

1. Associate's Degree /Legacy Approved Certificate Program. Working toward an advanced respiratory related credential
2.  One year of experience as an RRT.
3. Licensure as a Respiratory Care practitioner by the Maryland Board of Physician Quality Assurance.
4. Credentialing by the National Board of Respiratory Care as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) is required.
5. Basic Cardiac Life Support Certification.

Education & Experience - Preferred

1. CHT (Certified Hyperbaric Technician) credential is preferred. The Respiratory Therapist should have 3 or more years clinical experience, and knowledge of an outpatient setting.
2. ACLS certification preferred. 
3. The Respiratory Therapist candidate will need to possess excellent people skills, ability to coordinate patient flow in a dynamic outpatient care setting, strong leadership skills and deliver passionate patient care.