Respiratory Care Practitioner

Respiratory Therapist

This position supports Mercy's philosophy of patient centered care by providing bedside respiratory care to patients as assigned by supervisors and given on the physician's written order for all respiratory therapy modalities in an inpatient setting. Responsibilities may also include outpatient pulmonary function testing.

Job duties include performing all forms of respiratory therapy according to prescribed physician orders and standing written policies and procedures. This includes ventilator set-up and airway maintenance and monitoring on critical care patients to include all age groups. The therapist will attend and assist all code blues high risk deliveries c-sections and met calls house wide. They will also perform CPAP/Bi-PAP set-up and monitoring in accordance with departmental policies and procedures. Additionally, they will perform noninvasive cardiology procedures such as EKGs in the Emergency Department and complete necessary paperwork. The therapist will assist physicians with bedside bronchoscopies in accordance with the Respiratory Therapy procedure. They will perform oximetry spot checks and oximetry sleep studies and accurately process corresponding paperwork. The therapist will perform ABG sticks and utilize the I-Stat machine and communicate ABG results to nursing staff or physicians. They will perform equipment function check out and cleaning as necessary in accordance with Respiratory Therapy policies and procedures. The therapist will provide patient education on all modalities of respiratory care. They will participate in the charge role as applicable and provide patient education on outpatient services. The therapist will act as primary preceptor and resource for new staff. They will follow Mercy's safety guidelines carry out job-specific safety duties and responsibilities and promptly report any unsafe conditions situations incidents and injuries.

As applicable if trained in the Pulmonary Function lab the therapist will perform pulmonary function studies as ordered by a physician in an accurate and responsible manner following manufacturers and departmental policies and procedures. They will ensure that the patient is performing the test to the best of his/her ability by observing the patient and comparing the test results as reproducible on at least three trials. They will perform quality control procedures and maintenance on equipment used in the testing area to ensure accuracy in test results. The therapist will perform machine calibration each morning prior to testing and log results of calibration. They will assist with Trach Clinic.

Knowledge of anatomy and physiology as related to the respiratory system use of calculator verbal and written medical terminology and excellent communication skills are required. Previous experience is preferred. Education sufficient to obtain required licensure is required. Licensure certification registration includes Registered Respiratory Therapist - National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) State of Iowa Respiratory Care Practitioner License and Basic Life Support in accordance with the American Heart Association. Neonatal Resuscitation Program certification will be required within 1 year of employment with the exception of PFT Staff. Iowa Dependent Adult Abuse/Iowa Child Abuse Mandatory Reporter training is required. The employee must submit certification of completed training to Human Resources prior to start or transfer date.