RRT - Respiratory Care *Weekends*

MO-SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital 1201 Grand

SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital, a LEVEL 1 Time Critical Diagnosis hospital in Stroke, Trauma and STEMI, is at the forefront of ground-breaking medical treatments, procedures, clinical trials and comprehensive patient care

We are seeking a Registered Respiratory Therapist to join our team and are pleased to extend a $20,000 Sign on Bonus to new, external candidates!

Schedule: Full-time, 36 Hours/Week, 3x12-Hour Shifts/Week

Shift Differentials: Available for weekends, and additional shifts

RRT MO Licensure Required

Only Qualified external candidates will be considered for participation in the sign on bonus and relocation programs

The respiratory therapist is a healthcare professional employed to perform all respiratory care diagnostic and therapeutic procedures provided by the Department of Respiratory Care. The respiratory therapist should refer to supervisory personnel in any doubtful situation.

POSITION ACCOUNTABILITIES AND PERFORMANCE CRITERIA (% of time)

Perform all respiratory related therapeutic and diagnostic maneuvers in accordance with established policies and procedures of the department. Implements and assess the function of oxygen and therapeutic gas.

Ensure proper set‑up and implementation of therapeutic and diagnostic procedure.

Setup and monitor ventilators in accordance with the department and hospital policies.

Perform diagnostic procedures including but not limited to: ABG analysis, Pulse Oximetry, Nitric Oxide pulmonary hypertension studies.

The licensed respiratory therapist will ensure that each patient's status is assessed to determine the patient's care needs and to ensure patient's needs are reassessed in response to treatment and care provided.

Assess and Reassess Patients for Therapy

Vital signs before and after therapy.

Breath sounds before and after therapy.

Checking for physician orders for therapy.

Pre and post assessment for therapy tolerance and response.

Ability to interact with physicians and nurses. May work in an intensive care unit area.

ER, OR, Code).

Perform routine checks on Life Support Unit.

Assist with minor cardiopulmonary invasive or surgical procedures.

Perform tracheotomy care.

Perform bedside studies including: f/vt, shunt studies, ventilator mechanics dead space, compliance, O2 content, and metabolic cart studies.

Interpretation of complex lab data.

Provide input in decisions involving patient care on and off life support systems.

Provide input on patient care via physician consultations.

Display qualities of an independent thinker through the performance of everyday job duties.

Perform all other aspects of Respiratory Care in accordance with hospital policies and procedures.

Communicates with physicians in regard to therapies ordered and therapeutic goals.

Cleaning, disinfecting and/or sterilization of all reusable respiratory and bronchoscopy equipment.

Routine mechanical maintenance of respiratory equipment.

Answer phone in a professional and timely manner.

Safety/Infection Control: Practices according to safety and infection control policies.

Maintains a safe, clean, comfortable and therapeutic environment for patients/families/employees in accordance with hospital standards.

Reports risk management concerns.

Safety/Fire, Blood Borne Pathogen, Hazardous Communication, TB, Department Specific, Age Appropriate Care (for clinical staff only), BLS/ALS per recertification guidelines of AHA.

Provides service excellence to the customers of Saint Louis University Hospital by delivering timely, high quality care in a courteous, and respectful manner.

Explain therapy to the patient prior to initiation.

Quality Improvement

Assisting with collection of data for reporting.

Complete charting/charging by the end of the assigned shift.

Report any unresolved charting/charging discrepancies to the immediate supervisor for resolution.

Follow policies and procedures when administering care.

Report quality issues to management for review.

Age Appropriate Care

Infant, Child, Adolescent, Adult, Geriatric.

Demonstrates knowledge and skills of normal growth & development necessary to provide services to the age of the patient served by the department.

Demonstrates ability to assess and interpret age specific data to identify patient needs.

Demonstrates ability to provide service needed for the age groups routinely served by the department assigned.

Able to titrate dosages and applications to fit the needs of the various growth and development stages. Specialized Care

Restraint Care – Initiates/evaluates alternatives to restraint prior to application, applies restraints consistent with the approved procedure, monitors and assesses patient's response throughout the restraint period at appropriate intervals.

Incorporates patient's cultural/spiritual beliefs regarding pain into pain management plan. Consider other methods of pain control when developing plan of care: massage, repositioning, immobilization, and music therapy.

Reports signs of possible abuse/neglect to the physician & Risk Management, and recommends appropriate consultations (psychiatric, Social Work) for evaluation.

The performance of this function is the reason the job exists.