Respiratory Therapist - PRN Days

At Cornerstone Specialty Hospitals , patients receive acute care from a physician-led care team specializing in treating patients with complex conditions. Our attending physicians see their patients every day, and physicians with specialties in pulmonology, cardiology, infectious disease, and general surgery may also participate in your care. Our nurses are also experienced in treating complex conditions, and all nurses in high-acuity units are certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support. Additionally, patients with serious respiratory illnesses have 24/7 access to a respiratory therapist.

Job Summary

Responsible for administering safe and competent respiratory care as ordered per physician, monitoring mechanical ventilation, administering medications, patient assessment, understanding ramifications of hemodynamic monitoring, understanding blood work results, monitoring, teaching, and training.

Essential Functions 

• Competent delivery of all Respiratory Care procedures as outlined in the department policy and procedure manual. Work in all areas of the hospital.
• Maintain accurate and complete documentation of all Respiratory Care procedures per department policy and procedures. Enter into the department's computer all daily services and charges given to patients.
• Verify Respiratory Care physician's orders. Initial, date, and time order after verification.
• Receive and give accurate and complete report. Update and complete patient profile card to reflect patient's current clinical status. Be prepared and ready to receive/give report at the specified report times.
• Attend and participate in department in-services, meetings, patient care rounds, and mandatory hospital meetings.
• Keep Supervisor appraised of changes in workload and patient acuity.
• Demonstrate excellent working knowledge of Respiratory Care instruments and equipment. Perform troubleshooting with appropriate problem resolution.
• Perform effective airway management to include bag/mask ventilation. Assist physician/intubation certified therapist with intubation. Demonstrate safe and appropriate suction techniques and use of artificial airways. Initiate and perform "CPR". Primarily responsible for airway management. Initiate, maintain, monitor and document continuous mechanical ventilation.
• Provide timely and accurate update information to the physicians and other hospital personnel. Make recommendations for changes or modification of patient therapy by contacting physicians.
• Assist in orientation/training of new employees, respiratory/nursing students, and precept new employees during orientation.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities/Expectations

• Ability to work under stress and to respond quickly in emergency situations.
• Demonstrates good interpersonal skills when working or interacting with residents, their families and other staff members.
• Ability to communicate in English effectively through verbal and written means to extent necessary to perform job duties appropriately.
• Understands principles of growth and development for the entire lifespan with the ability to 
• provide care appropriate for adult and geriatric patients as appropriate to the patient population.
• Ability to work cooperatively as a member of a team.
• Reading and comprehension at level necessary to perform job duties appropriately.
• Must have good and regular attendance.
• Approximate percent of time required to travel: 0%
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education

• As required for Registry by National Board of Respiratory Care

Licenses/Certifications

• Registered Respiratory Therapist by the National Board of Respiratory Care. 
• Appropriate licensure from state licensure agency.
• ACLS and BLS certification required

Experience

• Minimum 1 year experience in acute care setting preferred.