Internal Temp Contract (8-13 weeks) CRT/RRT (Regional/Northport)

Respiratory Therapist

The Respiratory Therapist provides services to adult and pediatric patients. They provide general respiratory therapy, adult and pediatric critical care, and limited diagnostics. This is a 13-week, night shift, 72-hour contract position.

Responsibilities

• Performs and accurately records technical procedures safely, effectively, efficiently, and within scope of policy
• Reviews, collects, and evaluates relevant clinical data, and formulates an appropriate care plan based on patient assessment.
• Performs both basic and advanced emergency, therapeutic, and diagnostic procedures for neonatal, infant, pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients.
• Provides effective education to patients and co-workers as appropriate.
• Assembles, checks, and corrects malfunctions and performs quality controls on respiratory care equipment.
• Actively participates in departmental quality assurance and facility-wide organizational performance improvement activities.
• Gives rationale for actions, decisions, and clinical care, based on scientific principles, clinical practice guidelines, or successful experience
• Patient care procedures include:
• Oxygen/Aerosol Therapy
• Bronchial Hygiene
• Postural Drainage and Percussion
• Intermittent Positive Pressure Breathing
• Acapella
• Aerosolized Medications
• Hand Held Nebulizer
• Metered Dose Inhaler
• Dry Powder Inhaler
• Adult/Pediatric/Neonatal Critical Care
• CPAP/BiPAP
• E-ZPAP
• Mechanical ventilation including transport
• Blood collection and analysis
• Emergency tracheostomy tube replacement
• Bedside Pulmonary Function Testing
• ECG

DCH Standards

• Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
• Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook
• Must adhere to the DCH Behavioral Standards including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self.
• Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
• Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Current Alabama Respiratory Care licensure.
• Holds active credential of Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) or Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) (removed statement within 1 year after graduation)
• Associate Degree in Respiratory Therapy, Bachelor's degree preferred, or holds a certificate in Respiratory Therapy
• Must have at least two (2) years of previous direct-care RT experience in a hospital setting
• BCLS provider
• PALS preferred for staff working in the Emergency Department.
• ACLS required.
• NRP required if NICU trained
• Membership in appropriate professional organization (i.e. American Association for Respiratory Care, Alabama Society for Respiratory Care) is strongly encouraged
• Responsible for obtaining needed continuing education for licensure
• Must be able to read, write legibly, speak and comprehend English.

Working Conditions

Work Context

• Environmental Conditions: Includes exposure to human fluids, disease, infection, lab chemicals and hazard materials and/or cleaning solutions. Requires wearing common protective or safety equipment.
• Psychological Conditions: Includes demonstrating leadership skills. Delegating to team members, addressing conflict, communicating with all types of personalities, and being responsible for outcomes/results.

Physical Factors

• Ability to tolerate prolonged periods of standing and walking.
• Ability to lift and carry up to a maximum of 50 pounds with frequent lifting and/or carrying objects weighing up to 10 pounds.
• Ability to reach reasonable distances in any direction.
• Ability to run in emergency situations.
• Must be able to move fingers in a coordinated manner.
• Must have ability to feel and perceive temperatures, texture, shape and size with fingertips.
• Physical presence onsite is essential.
• Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range.
• Able to perform the duties with or without reasonable accommodation.