Respiratory Therapist

Overview:

Under the direction of a physician, the RRT provides all respiratory care related duties and functions as a member of the interdisciplinary team. Sets up and administers all routine and complex respiratory care procedures to patients including pediatrics, Emergency/Trauma Department, Step-Down Critical Care and Adult Critical Care Units, Pulmonary Function, Bronch lab, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, or other specialty unit using protocol driven care. Provides critical and emergent care, airway stabilization and management, non-invasive ventilation, and is responsible for acute care ventilators used for continuous short and long term ventilation. Exemplifies the Mercyhealth mission, vision and values, and acts in accordance with the organization's policies and procedures. They will perform other duties as assigned.

Responsibilities:

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Performs routine therapies that aid in the treatment, diagnosis, and evaluation of their cardiopulmonary status.

Will Initiate, monitor, evaluate, and wean invasive and non-invasive ventilation. Makes parameter

recommendations based on clinical assessment, technical assessment, patient compliance, patient response, laboratory values, and patient status.

Initiates and provides on-going evaluation of treatment regime including medication delivery and oxygen

administration through therapist driven protocols by performing patient assessments to determine the needs related to treatment therapies, frequencies, and duration of treatment regime ordered by physician.

Assesses patients clinically before and after the administration or application of any medication, procedure, or device; recommends appropriate therapy including initial therapy, changes in therapy, and discontinuation.

Monitors, assesses, educates, and documents the patient and/or family on therapies, medications, goals of

therapies, and equipment during treatment.

Documents work timely, completely, and accurately including documentation in the patient electronic medical record and departmental records.

Demonstrates competence in the set-up, calibration, and troubleshooting of mechanical ventilators, noninvasive ventilation devices, therapeutic bronchoscopies and pulmonary function screens.

Cleans using high level disinfection, assembles, and maintains equipment and the stocking of departmental supplies.

Performs and documents emergency rounds, oxygen saturation checks, and titrates oxygen per protocol during oxygen and aerosol rounds.

Performs therapies in strict compliance to universal precautions and proper body mechanics, using sound judgment in evaluating situations, and taking appropriate action when necessary.

Responds to emergent care situations in the hospital and assists with resuscitation by providing chest compressions, airway management, airway stabilization, and ventilatory support in accordance with the American Heart association guidelines and as directed by the Code Team Leader.

Transports adult, pediatric, and neonatal patients (as applicable) on mechanical ventilators, non-invasive ventilation devices, and critically ill to intrahospital procedures and testing.

Provides developmentally appropriate care to support the various patient populations during their hospitalization. Demonstrates competence in the care of neonatal, pediatric and adult patients (when/if appropriately assigned to these patients) relative to determining each patient's age related and other physical, psycho-social, and cultural needs.

Assists with the orientation process for new employees, mentors employees orienting to a specialty care unit, and functions as a resource to staff. Mentors students on clinical rotation as needed.

Acts as the charge therapist in the absence of the Lead Respiratory Therapist on a rotational basis as assigned, performing the duties and responsibilities described in that job description to the best of your ability.

Engage in a project related to the department, community, or respiratory care profession:

Obtains or maintains an additional certification or specialty credential (manager approval required)

Participates in community education events relating to procedures performed, disease processes, medications, and treatments relating to respiratory care.

Perform QA & PI

Assist with The Joint Commission accreditation and maintaining survey readiness

Participates in Regional Peri-Natal Designation process

Participates in facility committees on behalf of Respiratory Therapy

Maintain competence in specialty area:

Pulmonary Function: Perform pulmonary function tests (spirometry, lung volumes, lung diffusing capacity, arterial blood gas draws, and other tests) according to ATS and department standards; Set-up, calibrate, perform maintenance, and troubleshoot pulmonary function testing equipment; Performs administrative tasks including scheduling and registering patients.

Bronch Lab: Assists providers with bronchoscopy procedures, including preparing equipment and the patient, assisting with obtaining samples, and proper handling and cleaning of instruments

NICU: Attends deliveries, including pre-term and high risk, and performs resuscitative duties as part of the NICU team. Manages patients in the small baby unit and NICU. Maintains proficiency in the delivery of nitric oxide, surfactant, non-invasive ventilation, high frequency oscillatory ventilation, and other NICU specific equipment and practices. Actively participate and engage in NICU specific protocols, guidelines and initiatives with accountability for process improvement.

May require on call coverage for add on procedures, unit coverage, or NICU transport.

Maintains proficiency in the processing and interpreting of point of care (POC) blood gases, glucose, and electrolytes; and collaborates on quality control with the POC Coordinator (at applicable locations only).

Performs other duties as assigned.

COE BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following behavior expectations:

Quality - Follows policies and procedures; adapts to and manages changes in the environment; Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness giving attention to details; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Manages time and prioritizes effectively to achieve organizational goals.

Service - Responds promptly to requests for service and assistance; Follows the Mercyhealth Critical Moments of service; Meets commitments; Abides by MH confidentiality and security agreement; Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; and effectively communicates information to partners; Thinks system wide regarding processes and functions.

Partnering - Shows commitment to the Mission of Mercyhealth and Culture of Excellence through all words and actions; Exhibits objectivity and openness to other's views; Demonstrates a high level of participation and engagement in day-to-day work; Gives and welcomes feedback; Generates suggestions for improving work: Embraces teamwork, supports and encourages positive change while giving value to individuals.

Cost - Conserves organization resources; Understands fiscal responsibility; Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures; contributes to profits and revenue.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Graduate of an accredited Respiratory Care Program

Minimum 1 year respiratory experience required, 6 months critical care

CERTIFICATION/LICENSURE

RRT- CRT will be accepted for RTs that are not eligible for RRT. All other CRTs must earn RRT within 1 year of hire.

CPR

ACLS within 6 months of hire

NRP within 90 days of orientation, for those departments requiring delivery attendance

IL and/ or WI Respiratory Care Practitioner license

Specialty credential preferred (NPS, CPFT, RPFT)

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Passing the WI Caregiver Background Check and/or IL Health Care Workers Background Check.

Must be able to follow written/oral instructions.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Good mathematical and interpersonal skills

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level in the work environment is usually

Occupational Exposure: Category A - All partners in the specified job classification have occupational exposure.

INFORMATION ACCESS

Partner may access patient care information needed to perform their job duties. OR Partner may access patient care information, financial data, human resource data and strategic and planning data needed to perform their job duties as directed by the director.

WORK CONTACT GROUP

Partners, physicians, patients/family, visitors, vendors, community

SPECIAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The Special Physical Demands are considered Essential Job Functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb, balance, talk, and hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, taste, and smell. Specific vision abilities require by this job include frequent ability to adjust focus and occasionally distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally exert up to 100 pounds of force.

LEVEL OF SUPERVISION
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