Respiratory Therapist I

Respiratory Therapist

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At St. Elizabeth Healthcare, every role supports our mission to provide comprehensive and compassionate care to the communities we serve. For more than 160 years, St. Elizabeth Healthcare has been a trusted provider of quality care across Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio. We're guided by our mission to improve the health of the communities we serve and by our values of excellence, integrity, compassion, and teamwork. Our associates are the heart of everything we do.

Job Summary:

Upon physician's orders, assesses patients' pulmonary status, determines appropriateness of orders and administers various modes supportive or restorative of therapy, with or without medical gases or pharmacological agents to restore normal cardio-pulmonary function. Upon physicians' orders conducts various cardio-pulmonary diagnostic tests to determine existence or extent of cardio-pulmonary disease. Demonstrate respect, dignity, kindness and empathy in each encounter with all patients, families, visitors and other employees regardless of cultural background.

Job Duties:

• Administers safe, effective respiratory treatments, and effective medical gas therapy consistent with current standards of practice, to restore normal cardio-pulmonary function.
• Maintains equipment and supplies to ensure decontamination, disinfection, sterilization of supplies.
• Maintenance of a clean, safe and organized work environment.
• Follows work related duties in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations
• Completes all required safety, infection control and age specific programs as prescribed.
• Documents and communicates effects and effectiveness of therapy administered to ensure continuity of care between other members of the health care team.
• Uses background knowledge and clinical skill to mentor students from clinical affiliates.
• Uses background knowledge and clinical skills to assess patients' cardiopulmonary status to implement a Respiratory Care Plan is appropriate for the patient's age groups.
• Compares ordered therapy to patients' cardio-pulmonary status recommending, when necessary, more appropriate, more cost effective or less invasive therapy to achieve the therapeutic objective.
• Explains the purpose and benefits of ordered therapy, teaching the patient proper therapy techniques, to elicit patient cooperation and insure effective therapy.
• Initiates and maintains cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (BLS).
• Takes responsibility for self-development by acquiring skills and sharing experiences which support organizational/ department objectives.
• Pursues excellence and service, demonstrates desire and effort to be a continuous learner as evidenced by the following:
• Identifies personal goals and objectives annually as a part of performance appraisal. Completes Federal, State and System annual requirements. Identifies self-development opportunities and makes the effort to take advantage of those opportunities.
• Serves as team leader per department policy.
• Attendance at staff meetings is strongly encouraged
• Each Associate is accountable for the changes to departmental operations, practices and policies discussed the staff meetings.
• Associates who did not attend the staff meeting are responsible and accountable for reviewing the staff meeting minutes and signing the staff meeting review document.
• Associates signature on the staff meeting minutes review document signifies that the Associate has reviewed the meeting minutes and is aware of their responsibilities for changes to departmental operations; practices and policies discussed the staff meetings.
• Upon physicians' orders uses background knowledge and clinical skills to provide mechanical ventilator support to sustain patients' cardio-pulmonary function.
• With indirect supervision uses background knowledge, clinical skills and specialized training to conduct a variety of diagnostic tests to determine patients' cardio-pulmonary function.
• May perform bedside spirometry for the PFT lab when needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Is accountable for his/her behavior.
• Interacts with internal and external customers using AIDET methodology
• Is accountable for his/her behavior. Actions contribute to improved customer satisfaction outcome
• Interacts with internal and external customers.
• Conducts himself/herself in a professional manner
• Assumes the responsibility for his/her professional growth and development.
• Uses proper communications channels, maintains confidentially of customer information and protected healthcare information, (PHI)
• Attends staff meetings as required, participates in training programs, ensures completion of annual competencies.
• Stays up to date with Health System information by reviewing written and electronic communications from various sectors of the System.
• Works within and as a member of the Sleep Disorders Team but is able to function independently when necessary.

Qualifications:

• Registered Respiratory Therapist as described by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC)
• Holds current mandatory certification in the state to practice Respiratory Therapy in the state where work is being performed.
• Associate degree in applied science or equivalent.
• All Registered respiratory therapists must maintain their credential as described in the Continuing Competency of the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). Failure to maintain the credential will result in a demotion transfer to Respiratory Technician until their credential is reinstated by the NBRC
• ACLS certification- if not already certified, will be required post-hire

Right Career. Right Here. If you're looking for the right careers in healthcare, the right place to be is at St. Elizabeth. Join us, and you'll take pride in the level of care we offer our community.