Respiratory Therapy Tech. I - 24, 32, 40 hours - 2nd shift - CONTINUOUS

Respiratory Therapy Tech. I

Western Massachusetts Hospital, operated by the Department of Public Health (DPH), is seeking an energetic Respiratory Therapist to provide care to patients in an acute, long term care hospital. We are a specialty care hospital providing in-patient services to individuals in need of ventilator/respiratory, end of life care, neuromuscular, Alzheimer's, and chronic care. The selected candidate participates in the respiratory needs of adult and geriatric patients on an inpatient unit following standards of care. Administers medication, provides ventilator support in accordance with standard practices, policy and protocols. Maintains accurate records for related treatment plans and respiratory care. Provides professional expertise and knowledge in carrying out emergency functions, all codes, and unexpected emergencies.

Please Note: These positions are 40, 32 and 24 hours per week, 3:00 PM - 11:30 PM shift and the days off are every other weekend with assigned days off. The salary posted is based on 40 hours.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Performs direct hands-on respiratory care using established hospital policies and procedures along with respiratory standards of care to ensure a consistent approach to patient care.
• Administers pharmacologic, diagnostic and therapeutic agents related to respiratory care procedures necessary to implement a treatment, disease prevention, pulmonary rehabilitation, or a diagnostic regimen prescribed by a physician.
• Observes and monitors signs and symptoms, general behavior, general physical response to respiratory care treatment and diagnostic testing, to determine whether abnormal characteristics are exhibited.
• Provide invasive mechanical ventilation via a tracheostomy tube. Monitors vital signs and tolerance of ventilator settings.
• In collaboration with the healthcare team, develops and implements an appropriate care plan based on patient assessment by utilizing standards of care to optimize patient outcomes.
• Works efficiently as a team member both within and across clinical settings to provide quality service to hospital units through communication, cooperation and collaboration.
• Demonstrates competence, including knowledge and behaviors, to meet age specific patient needs in a specialty area.
• Maintain accurate prescribed patient records and documentation such as progress, quarterly and annual notes and META records.
• Provide information to appropriate personnel during meetings and shift changes, to ensure consistency of care and stay informed on changes to an individual's treatment, recovery and plan of care.
• Maintains personal and professional growth by attending in-services and keeping current with respiratory practices.

Required Qualifications

Applicants must have a current and valid license as a Respiratory Therapist issued by the Massachusetts Board of Respiratory Care.

About Western Massachusetts Hospital: The Western Massachusetts Hospital is the only public hospital operating in the western region of Massachusetts with a mission to serve as a medical safety net for many uninsured and under-insured citizens residing in the region. Western Massachusetts Hospital provides both acute and chronic hospital care to patients with a variety of chronic diseases and complicated medical conditions, such as: Cardiac and pulmonary disease Chronic neurological disorders Complications of strokes Dementia with major behavioral issues End stage terminal illnesses of various diagnoses.

Consider joining our dynamic team of health care professionals in a work environment that provides high staff to patient ratio and delivers high quality care to all patients on all units. Enjoy the opportunity to provide quality services in a long-term care setting where familiar faces are the norm rather than the exception.