Respiratory Therapist

Respiratory Therapist Position

Provides evaluation of and care for respiratory therapy patients. Administers prescribed respiratory therapeutic services. Performs the duties and responsibilities within the scope of a Respiratory Therapist - Level I, as defined within the job description.

Minimum Qualifications

Education, Certification, and/or Licensure:

• Licensed respiratory therapist by the applicable state where services will be performed:
• MD: Respiratory Care Practitioner through Maryland Board of Physicians
• OH: Respiratory Care Professional through Ohio Board of Medicine
• PA: Respiratory Therapist through Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine
• WV: Licensed Respiratory Therapist Certified (LRTC) or Licensed Respiratory Therapist Registered (LRTR) through West Virginia Board of Respiratory Care
• Obtain certification in Basic Life Support within 30 days of hire date.

Experience:

• One (1) year respiratory therapist experience.
• To be completed as established by department: (Administered at Department level)
• ACLS
• PALS
• NRP
• STABLE
• Point of Care Technician through the West Virginia Department of Health & Human Resources

Preferred Qualifications

Education, Certification, and/or Licensure:

• Registered Respiratory Therapist

Experience:

• Two (2) years respiratory therapist experience.

Core Duties and Responsibilities

The statements described here are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be constructed as an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities and duties. Other duties may be assigned.

• Performs basic and advanced therapeutic procedures for neonatal, pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients by order of the physician.
• Assembles, checks, and corrects malfunctions and performs quality controls on Respiratory Care equipment.
• Initiates, maintains, and discontinues mechanical ventilation for adult, pediatric, and neonatal patients.
• Communicates appropriately and effectively with other members of the healthcare team regarding all aspects of patient care.
• Provides assistance with patient and family/caregiver education along with other members of the healthcare team.
• Actively participates in departmental quality assurance and hospital-wide organizational performance improvement activities.
• Performs basic and advanced diagnostic procedures for pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients by order of the Physician
• Maintains clinical and professional competency based upon established standards of practice.
• Demonstrates the ability to perform all relevant departmental competencies.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to be on feet/walking extended periods of time.
• Ability to lift, push, and/or pull 40 pounds.

Working Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Cognizant of environmental factors, infection control issues and maintains a safe environment for patient care.

Skills and Abilities

Requires good interpersonal communication skills when in contact with public, patients, staff and physicians. Requires multi-tasking, problem solving and decision making abilities.

The Respiratory Clinical Ladder is a system-wide clinical advancement program to enhance professional development, provide a reward system for quality clinical performance, promote quality respiratory care, and improve job satisfaction for respiratory therapists.

To apply for the next level, the respiratory therapist must meet the requirements of their current level. They must also meet the required years of experience, degree, and certification to apply for the next level.

Level 1

• No experience required
• All respiratory therapists with less than 12 months of experience enter at Level one with a AS, BS, or higher
• Attains 2 points in any of the domains

Level 2

• Meets requirements for previous level
• One year of experience.
• Attains 4 points in any of the domains

Level 3

• Meets requirements for previous levels
• Available to Registered Respiratory Therapists
• Three years of experience
• Attains 8 points in any of the domains

Level 4

• Meets requirements for previous levels
• Available to those with a BS or higher
• Available to Registered Respiratory Therapists
• Five years of experience, plus one specialty credential
• Attains 10 points in any of the domains

Level 5

• Meets requirements for previous levels
• Available to those with a BS or higher
• Available to Registered Respiratory Therapists
• Seven years of experience, plus one specialty credential
• Attains 12 points in any of the domains

Additional Job Description:

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40

Shift:

Exempt/Non-Exempt: United States of America (Non-Exempt)

Company: WH Wheeling Hospital Inc.

Cost Center: 201 WH Respiratory Care and General Services

Address: 1 Medical Park Drive Wheeling West Virginia

Equal Opportunity Employer

West Virginia University Health System and its subsidiaries (collectively "WVUHS") is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. WVUHS strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. All WVUHS employees, other workers, and representatives are prohibited from engaging in unlawful discrimination. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, training, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, and termination of employment.