Respiratory Care Practitioner II Registered

Job Summary Under physician supervision, in accordance with policies and procedures approved by the Medical Director, this role is expected to assume primary clinical responsibility for all respiratory care modalities and to exercise considerable independent clinical judgment in the respiratory care of patients. The candidate must be capable of serving as a technical resource person to the physician regarding current practices in respiratory care and to the hospital staff regarding effective and safe methods for administering respiratory care. Working under the general supervision of an administrative supervisor or a technical lead, the respiratory care practitioner delivers respiratory care services to patients in all areas of the hospital, adapts to the particular duty assignment, performs any special duties required, and maintains standards of performance for their area of assignment. Special duties may include provision of basic and advanced respiratory care to neonatal and pediatric patients in the intensive care unit and during transport, requiring rapid decision making and physician collaboration. Duties also may include performance of a variety of diagnostic tests of the cardiopulmonary system, determining the effect of disease and treatment on that system. Essential Responsibilities Selects, Reviews, Obtains and Interprets Data: Reads and evaluates physician orders, clarifying as needed. Accurately transcribes orders to electronic charting system or departmental patient master. Reviews patient information—including history, lab data, radiologic studies, progress notes, respiratory and cardiovascular monitoring data—and performs assessment and data collection in a systematic manner. Systematically assesses patients’ overall cardiopulmonary status by inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation, and patient interview. Interprets data to formulate goal‑directed plans of care, determining requirements for treatment such as type, duration, precautions, equipment, medication, and dosages. Determines modifications to physician orders that optimize patient care and makes recommendations. Recommends additional data procedures such as radiographs, bronchoscopy, Gram stain and culture & sensitivity, spirometry, blood gas analysis, lung mechanics, work of breathing, EKG, and noninvasive monitoring. Performs diagnostic modalities: ABG sampling and analysis, co‑oximetry, spirometry, pressure‑volume and flow‑volume loops, cuff pressure, sputum induction, EKGs, Holter monitoring, pulmonary function, and sleep diagnostic tests. May perform exercise stress tests and indirect calorimetry. Selects, assembles, and checks equipment for proper function, operation, and cleanliness. Ensures readiness of respiratory life‑support equipment, troubleshoots minor repairs, and performs quality‑control procedures for blood analysis devices. Participates in routine departmental cleaning, disinfecting, sterilizing, and preventive maintenance programs, and performs basic repairs. Orders and stocks departmental supplies. Initiates, conducts, and modifies prescribed therapeutic or diagnostic procedures, operates all medical equipment within manufacturer and department guidelines to safely treat patients, and adjusts alarms. Observes safety procedures and protects patients from nosocomial infection. Explains planned therapy and goals to patients in understandable terms. Monitors patients’ physiological responses to therapy, recognizes adverse reactions, and stops, modifies, or recommends modifications based on patient response. Documents all required information in the medical record according to departmental policy. Initiates mechanical ventilation (pressure‑cycled/volume‑cycled/high‑frequency) and weans or modifies it according to assessment and physician orders. Assists with or performs extubation. Conducts patient education and disease management; performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation per guidelines; may assist or perform intubation, bronchoscopy, thoracentesis, tracheostomy, cardioversion, and intubation. May participate in land/air critical care transport, high‑risk deliveries, surfactant replacement in neonates, pulmonary rehabilitation, home care, discharge planning, community outreach, and initiation of therapist‑driven protocols. Supervision and administration: May assign, organize, and coordinate the work of assigned Respiratory Care Practitioners; demonstrate procedures to trainees and other health‑care personnel; train practitioners and complete competency reviews. Contributes to departmental quality improvement activities; may schedule staff and perform staffing functions. Assesses priorities for delivery of patient care and redistributes resources as necessary throughout the shift. Protects data from intentional or unintentional destruction, modification, or disclosure. Maintains a current knowledge base of departmental information systems, including collection, maintenance, dissemination, and appropriate audit trails. May develop policies and procedures, both clinical and administrative; may serve as Timekeeper for the TIME system. Complies with attendance, punctuality, meal, and break schedules; accurately documents time in/out in the TIME system or time card. Maintains professional appearance, displays professional conduct and ethical behavior. Participates in continuing education for professional development in respiratory care and related fields; may serve on hospital committees and professional organizations. Supervisory responsibilities: This job has no supervisory responsibilities. Grade 770 Experience Basic Qualifications At least three (3) years regular (20 hours or more per week) of recent experience as a Respiratory Care practitioner. Education High school diploma or GED required. Graduate of a respiratory care education program supported by CoARC or accredited by CAAHEP, with 62 semester hours of college credit including background in basic sciences, or a baccalaureate degree in an area other than respiratory care, or an Associate of Arts or Science degree. Respiratory Care Practitioners who received their RCP license prior to 1986 and are currently working at Kaiser Permanente are exempt from this educational requirement. License, Certification, Registration Respiratory Care Practitioner License (California) from the National Board of Respiratory Care Basic Life Support Registered Respiratory Therapist Certificate Additional Requirements Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, technical manuals, and short correspondence or memos; ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to speak and understand English. Ability to effectively present information in one‑on‑one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees. Willingness to work in a Labor‑Management Partnership environment. Refer to Position Specifications outlined in the appropriate collective bargaining agreement. Preferred Qualifications Certified or Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist by the National Board for Respiratory Care preferred; may be required. Neonatal/Pediatric Specialist by the National Board preferred; may be required. At least one year recent critical care experience preferred; may be required. At least one year clinical experience in neonatal/pediatric respiratory care preferred; may be required. Depending on specialty, ACLS, NRP or PALS may be required. Keyboard skills preferred. Registered by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists preferred; may be required. #J-18808-Ljbffr