Respiratory Therapist - PRN Status - Bronson Methodist Hospital

Respiratory Therapist - Prn Status - Bronson Methodist Hospital

Under general supervision from the Respiratory manager and/or Director, and in accordance with the policies and guidelines established within the organization. Routinely functions in patient care areas of the hospital. The respiratory therapist follows the provider prescription and/or established policies and procedures, initiates and administers respiratory care to patients with cardiopulmonary abnormalities and deficiencies. Serves as a resource of knowledge to providers, nurses and other hospital team members regarding advanced respiratory diagnosis and rehabilitation.

Minimum requirements:

• Associate's degree in Respiratory Therapy (AS), Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Current Respiratory Therapist license in the State of Michigan license is required.
• For anyone hired after 2004, Registered Respiratory Therapist credentials (RRT) is required within 1 year of hire.
• Must attend courses through AHA: BLS, ACLS, PALS and AAP-NRP to become certified per site requirements. All sites require BLS certification within 3 months of hire. ACLS, PALS and NRP (site specific certifications are required within 1 year of date of hire
• For BLH only: Associates degree OR Graduation from hospital-based program and 5 years of experience. Bachelors preferred.

Work which produces levels of mental/visual fatigue which are typical of jobs that perform a wide variety of duties with frequent and significant uncontrollable deadlines. Work may include the operation of and full attention to a personal computer or CRT up to 40 percent of the time. Involves considerable standing or walking, regular lifting of light-weight objects (i.e., up to 50 pounds) and assisting with heavier tasks such as assisting in lifting and moving patients. Occasionally required to stoop, crouch or kneel, and move quickly to gather equipment and medication to respond to emergency situations. Minor straining or fatiguing positions must be assumed, and some fatiguing physical motions are required.

Customer service: Demonstrates adherence to the standards as provided in the Bronson "Commitment to Customer Service", i.e., Commitment Statements, Quality Service Standards and the Interaction Process which includes the Service Recovery "AAA Action Plan". Data gathered via observations, customer surveys, and other written and verbal feedback from customers.

Age specific (direct patient care jobs only.): The employee must be able to demonstrate the competencies necessary to provide services appropriate to the age of the population served. Data gathered from observation and department record.

Extended roles: This itemizes extended roles (if any) the employee performs, i.e., charge, preceptor, etc. For each advanced role, a separate competency list is required.

Professional growth: Participates in a program of self-development and continuous education. This is for all employee mandatory in-services, other in-services, educational activities, and community service as re

Nature and scope: This position interacts with providers, nursing, ancillary staff, respiratory therapy staff, patients and families.

Principal responsibilities:

• Supports the mission, vision and values of the hospital.
• Responsible for working in a safe and protective manner at all times keeping in mind that safety and environmental hazards are the responsibility of all employees for themselves, other staff members and patients.
• Provides patient's respiratory therapy and communicates findings to appropriate personnel. Evaluates objective and subjective information in a logical and thorough manner. Discusses conclusions with providers and nurses to resolve patient problems promptly.
• Routinely evaluates blood gases (both invasive and non-invasive) in a logical and thorough manner. Discusses conclusions and suggests therapy changes based on ABG results.
• Communicates ventilator recommendations to providers and nursing based on patient evaluation and blood gases.
• Checks that provider orders are complete and administers therapy accordingly.
• Performs all respiratory therapies (age-specific) in accordance with provider orders, protocols, or guidelines.
• Explains therapy to the patient in understandable terms according to age/learning capabilities.
• Assesses the patient's response to therapy and makes recommendations to the provider accordingly or according to protocol guidelines if appropriate.
• Administers, assesses and titrates oxygen therapy
• Assesses patient response and modifies therapy according to respiratory protocols.
• Notifies Manager, nursing personnel and providers of any adverse patient reactions.
• Performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation and assists with "Code Blue", as necessary.
• Arrives at "Code Blue" in a timely manner. Performs appropriate life support according to BLS, ACLS, NRP and PALS guidelines as per site specific responsibilities
• Assists provider or performs (If competency complete) with tracheal intubation.
• Routinely maintains artificial airways (endotracheal tube and tracheostomy tubes) in accordance with department policy (i.e. suctioning and securing endotracheal tubes).
• Maintains stability of artificial airways. Assure tube security and repositions endotracheal tubes according to policy.
• Is able to appropriately utilize infant and pediatric resuscitation equipment in emergency situations, including PEEP adaptions and pop-off valves.

Provides assistance with patient and family education along with other members of the healthcare team.

Performs basic pulmonary function testing, EKG's, arterial blood gases, pulse oximetry, end tidal CO2 monitoring and transcutaneous oximetry in accordance with outlined departmental policies and procedures.

Assists with bedside bronchoscopies, intubations, and extubations in accordance with outlined departmental policies and procedures,

Performs naso-tracheal, endo-tracheal, tracheal suction and sample collections in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.

Must be able to assist with patient transport via walking, wheelchair, gurney, or crib for safe delivery of continuum of care. May be responsible for assisting with ambulance transports within one facility to another.

Standards of professional performance:

• Accurately communicates patient diagnosis and therapy at change of shift reports.
• Accurately charges patients for all therapies performed.
• Takes an active role in the supervision and instruction of Respiratory Care students. Completes the required preceptor course. Works with students to develop their clinical skills.
• Works in response to fluctuations in patient census and relative value units. Works overtime when necessary. Changes shift hours for department needs.
• Maintains and cleans respiratory equipment for readiness and supply availability.
• Orients and instructs others (new department personnel, nursing, students and respiratory personnel) in Respiratory Care procedures as required.
• Attends in-services and on-line learning and is compliant with minimal working requirements and education without prompting from manager.
• Participates in department and hospital-wide organizational process improvement activities.
• Performs and assumes personal responsibility for related duties as required and/or assigned per site specific
• Actively participates in departmental quality assurance and hospital wide organizational performance improvement initiatives.

Shift: Variable

Time type: Part time

Scheduled weekly hours: 10

Cost center: 4700 Respiratory Care (BMH)