Respiratory Therapist - NICU - Night Shift

Overview Provides critical and emergent care, airway stabilization and management, non-invasive ventilation, and is responsible for acute care ventilators used for continuous short and long term ventilation.

Schedule: Three 12-Hour Shifts
Shift: Nights
Location: Javon Bea Hospital Riverside Hospital, NICU Department

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Performs routine therapies that aid in the treatment, diagnosis, and evaluation of their cardiopulmonary status.

• Will Initiate, monitor, evaluate, and wean invasive and non-invasive ventilation.

• Makes parameter recommendations based on clinical assessment, technical assessment, patient compliance, patient response, laboratory values, and patient status.

• Initiates and provides on-going evaluation of treatment regime including medication delivery and oxygen administration through therapist driven protocols by performing patient assessments to determine the needs related to treatment therapies, frequencies, and duration of treatment regime ordered by physician.

• Assesses patients clinically before and after the administration or application of any medication, procedure, or device; recommends appropriate therapy including initial therapy, changes in therapy, and discontinuation.

• Monitors, assesses, educates, and documents the patient and/or family on therapies, medications, goals of therapies, and equipment during treatment.

• Documents work timely, completely, and accurately including documentation in the patient electronic medical record and departmental records.

• Demonstrates competence in the set-up, calibration, and troubleshooting of mechanical ventilators, noninvasive ventilation devices, therapeutic bronchoscopies and pulmonary function screens.

• Cleans using high level disinfection, assembles, and maintains equipment and the stocking of departmental supplies.

• Performs and documents emergency rounds, oxygen saturation checks, and titrates oxygen per protocol during oxygen and aerosol rounds.

• Performs therapies in strict compliance to universal precautions and proper body mechanics, using sound judgment in evaluating situations, and taking appropriate action when necessary.

• Responds to emergent care situations in the hospital and assists with resuscitation by providing chest compressions, airway management, airway stabilization, and ventilatory support in accordance with the American Heart association guidelines and as directed by the Code Team Leader.

• Transports adult, pediatric, and neonatal patients (as applicable) on mechanical ventilators, non-invasive ventilation devices, and critically ill to intrahospital procedures and testing.

• Provides developmentally appropriate care to support the various patient populations during their hospitalization. Demonstrates competence in the care of neonatal, pediatric and adult patients (when/if appropriately assigned to these patients) relative to determining each patient’s age related and other physical, psycho-social, and cultural needs.

• Assists with the orientation process for new employees, mentors employees orienting to a specialty care unit, and functions as a resource to staff. Mentors students on clinical rotation as needed.

• Acts as the charge therapist in the absence of the Lead Respiratory Therapist on a rotational basis as assigned, performing the duties and responsibilities described in that job description to the best of your ability.

• Engage in a project related to the department, community, or respiratory care profession:

• Obtains or maintains an additional certification or specialty credential (manager approval required)

• Participates in community education events relating to procedures performed, disease processes, medications, and treatments relating to respiratory care.

• Perform QA & PI

• Assist with The Joint Commission accreditation and maintaining survey readiness

• Participates in Regional Peri-Natal Designation process

• Participates in facility committees on behalf of Respiratory Therapy

• Maintain competence in specialty area:

• Pulmonary Function: Perform pulmonary function tests (spirometry, lung volumes, lung diffusing capacity, arterial blood gas draws, and other tests) according to ATS and department standards; Set-up, calibrate, perform maintenance, and troubleshoot pulmonary function testing equipment; Performs administrative tasks including scheduling and registering patients.

• Bronch Lab: Assists providers with bronchoscopy procedures, including preparing equipment and the patient, assisting with obtaining samples, and proper handling and cleaning of instruments.

• NICU: Attends deliveries, including pre-term and high risk, and performs resuscitative duties as part of the NICU team. Manages patients in the small baby unit and NICU. Maintains proficiency in the delivery of nitric oxide, surfactant, non-invasive ventilation, high frequency oscillatory ventilation, and other NICU specific equipment and practices. Actively participate and engage in NICU specific protocols, guidelines and initiatives with accountability for process improvement.

• May require on call coverage for add on procedures, unit coverage, or NICU transport.

• Maintains proficiency in the processing and interpreting of point of care (POC) blood gases, glucose, and electrolytes; and collaborates on quality control with the POC Coordinator (at applicable locations only).

• Performs other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Graduate of an accredited Respiratory Care Program

Minimum 1 year respiratory experience required, 6 months critical care

CERTIFICATION/LICENSURE

RRT- CRT will be accepted for RTs that are not eligible for RRT. All other CRTs must earn RRT within 1 year of hire.

CPR; Certain AHA courses such as Heartsaver or HeartCode courses do not meet Mercyhealth standards.

NRP within 90 days of orientation, for those departments requiring delivery attendance

IL and/ or WI Respiratory Care Practitioner license

Specialty credential preferred (NPS, CPFT, RPFT)

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Good mathematical and interpersonal skills

LEVEL OF SUPERVISION

Work requires a moderate level of independent judgment along with good interpretative and interpersonal skills with justification and accountability to Lead, Supervisor, Manager, and Director.

PAY RANGE:

Mercyhealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer . All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

Mercyhealth offers competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Medical, Dental, Vision

• Life & Disability Insurance

• FSA/HSA Options

• Generous, accruing paid time off

• Paid Parental and caregiver leave

• Career advancement and educational opportunities

• Tuition and certification reimbursement

• Certification Reimbursement

• Well-being Programs

• Employee Discounts

• On-Demand Pay

• Financial Education

• Annual recognition/awards events

• Partner appreciation days

• Family entertainment/attractions discount

• Community service/improvement opportunities

Click here for more details regarding Mercyhealth Careers Benefit Information.

At Mercyhealth, we don’t simply hire people, we empower employee-partners who are passionate about making lives better. As an integrated health system, we deliver exceptional, coordinated across seven hospitals, 85 primary and specialty clinics, and a team of over 7,500 professionals serving northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.

Mercyhealth has been nationally recognized for our commitment to our people and culture, including:

• #1 in the nation on AARP's Best Employers for Workers Over 50

• One of Working Mother magazine's 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers

• A Top 50 Company and Top 10 Nonprofit for Executive Women