Registered respiratory therapist II

Medical University of South Carolina•Orangeburg, SC

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Respiratory Therapist 2 reports to the RTSL and Adult Respiratory Manager. The RT2 provides a variety of respiratory therapy modalities to adolescent and adult patients with cardio-pulmonary dysfunction, including but not limited to mechanical ventilation, respiratory treatments, and oxygen and specialty gases. The RT2 possesses extensive patient assessment skills and performs at a high level in emergency situations. Assists in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of patients with pulmonary disorders. Collects and analyzes sputum, blood, and breath specimens to determine levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other gases. Also measures the lung capacity of a patient to determine if there is impaired function. Administers treatment prescribed by a physician for the care of patients with abnormalities associated with the process of breathing. Assumes primary responsibility for respiratory care treatments, including oversight of respiratory therapy technicians.

Requirements

Graduation from a program approved by CoArc (Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care) or a successor accrediting authority.
Licensed as a respiratory care practitioner by the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulations Board of Medical Examiners.
Credentialed as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) by the National Board for Respiratory Care.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) required, either a certification from an American Heart Association (AHA) BLS for Healthcare Providers (or AHA recognized equivalent) or an American Red Cross CPR/AED for Professional Rescuer and Healthcare Provider.
Ability to perform job functions while standing. (C) Continuous – 6-8 hours per shift
Ability to perform job functions while sitting. (C) Continuous – 6-8 hours per shift
Ability to perform job functions while walking. (F) Frequent – 2-6 hours per shift
Ability to climb stairs. (I) Infrequent– 0-2 hours per shift
Ability to work indoors. (C) Continuous – 6-8 hours per shift
Ability to work outside in temperature extremes. (I) Infrequent– 0-2 hours per shift
Ability to work from elevated areas. (F) Frequent – 2-6 hours per shift
Ability to work in confined/cramped spaces. (F) Frequent – 2-6 hours per shift
Ability to perform job functions from kneeling positions. (I) Infrequent– 0-2 hours per shift
Ability to bend at the waist. (F) Frequent – 2-6 hours per shift
Ability to twist at the waist. (F) Frequent – 2-6 hours per shift
Ability to squat and perform job functions. (F) Frequent – 2-6 hours per shift
Ability to perform “pinching” operations. (F) Frequent – 2-6 hours per shift
Ability to fully use both hands/arms. (C) Continuous – 6-8 hours per shift
Ability to perform repetitive motions with hands/wrists/elbows and shoulders. (C) Continuous – 6-8 hours per shift
Ability to fully use both legs. (C) Continuous – 6-8 hours per shift
Ability to reach in all directions. (C) Continuous – 6-8 hours per shift
Possess good finger dexterity. (C) Continuous – 6-8 hours per shift
Ability to maintain tactile sensory functions. (C) Continuous – 6-8 hours per shift
Ability to maintain good olfactory sensory function. (C) Continuous – 6-8 hours per shift
Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs. unassisted. (I) Infrequent– 0-2 hours per shift
Ability to lift/lower objects 50 lbs. from/to thirty-six inches unassisted. (I) Infrequent– 0-2 hours per shift
Ability to lift from thirty-six” to overhead 25 lbs. (I) Infrequent– 0-2 hours per shift
Ability to exert up to 50lbs. of force. (F) Frequent – 2-6 hours per shift
Ability to maintain vision 20/40 corrected. (C) Continuous – 6-8 hours per shift
Ability to see and recognize objects close at hand or at a distance. (C) Continuous – 6-8 hours per shift
Ability to match or discriminate between colors. (C) Continuous – 6-8 hours per shift
Ability to determine distance/relationship between objects; depth perception. (C) Continuous – 6-8 hours per shift
Good peripheral vision capabilities. (C) Continuous – 6-8 hours per shift
Ability to maintain hearing acuity, with correction. (C) Continuous – 6-8 hours per shift
Ability to perform gross motor functions with frequent fine motor movements. (C) Continuous – 6-8 hours per shift
Ability to deal effectively with stressful situations. (C) Continuous – 6-8 hours per shift
Ability to work rotating shifts. (F) Frequent – 2-6 hours per shift
Ability to work overtime as required. (F) Frequent – 2-6 hours per shift
Ability to learn and use new processes, tools and equipment as required. (F) Frequent – 2-6 hours per shift
Ability to work in a latex safe environment. (C) Continuous – 6-8 hours per shift
Ability to be qualified physically (by medical personnel) for respirator use, initially and as required.
AAS in Respiratory Care from an AMA approved School of Respiratory Therapy.
Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
Licensed by the Board of Medical Examiners of S.C.
> or =2 years
Current American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) certification or American Red Cross BLS for Healthcare Providers certification is required

Nice To Haves

Extensive patient assessment skills
Performs at a high level in emergency situations
Assists in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of patients with pulmonary disorders.
Collects and analyzes sputum, blood, and breath specimens to determine levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other gases.
Measures the lung capacity of a patient to determine if there is impaired function.
Administers treatment prescribed by a physician for the care of patients with abnormalities associated with the process of breathing.
Assumes primary responsibility for respiratory care treatments, including oversight of respiratory therapy technicians.
MENTOR Criteria (May not meet all areas, but must show a strong pattern of independent involvement)
CONSISTENT Criteria
INCONSISTENT Criteria
Mentor Criteria: (May not meet all areas, but must show a strong pattern of independent involvement)
MENTOR Criteria (May not meet all areas, but must show a strong pattern of independent involvement)
Additional professional certifications (ex ACCS, Pulmonary educator, six sigma, etc.)

Responsibilities

Provide a full respiratory assessment on patients and manage the initiation and application of therapeutic and modality practices. Ability to suggest appropriate treatment strategies based on patient assessment and disease state. The provision of treatments, the delivery and weaning of oxygen therapy, and the performance of patient/family/staff education.
Initiates, instructs, and performs all aerosol therapies, broncho-pulmonary hygiene therapies, hyperinflation techniques, suctioning and oxygen therapy.
Performs area specific procedures, including patient/family education.
Obtains ABG samples from both arterial lines and punctures.
Effectively communicates with patient/family regarding the specifics of the patient’s respiratory care plan and goals.
Individualize respiratory care plan based on patient assessment and needs.
Is able to verbalize and share pertinent information differently among patients, caregivers, and professionals to assure their understanding.
Completes all documentation in hospital information systems and medication scanning systems.
Maintains patency of all artificial airways.
Refers mobile phones and pagers correctly. Hands off covering phones and pages to oncoming shift.
Ability to independently initiate, monitor, and maintain all invasive and noninvasive ventilators in all core team areas; skilled in ventilation strategies for different disease states.
Possesses the knowledge of and adheres to ventilator weaning protocols, guidelines and delivery of specialty gases such as NO/heliox. Possesses the ability to initiate and monitor specialty gases through the ventilator.
Possesses the ability to set up, monitor, and wean inhaled epoprostenol.
Always checks CXR for disease states, changes and ETT placement. Checks and understands implications of pertinent labs and hemodynamics; reports CXR, labs and hemodynamics as necessary.
Assures orders are correct for vents and modalities prior to the end of shift. Completes all required documentation in EMR system. Assures medications are available for the first rounds of next shift.
Responds in a timely manner to emergency situations and acts with a calm and guiding demeanor.
Assumes personal responsibility for professional development and licensure Shares knowledge and expertise through training, in services and project participation. Maintains knowledge through self-assessment, proactively seeking resources, and being engaged. Takes an active role in department projects, processes, and practices. Presents self professionally with willing and helpful attitude to interdisciplinary team, patients, family, and other staff at all times. Prepares for shift and leaves work area appropriate for oncoming shift.
Participates in department activities including meeting attendance.
Demonstrates a proactive approach to learning new procedures and concepts in respiratory therapy.
Possesses critical thinking skills in the clinical setting.
Completes all mandatory training and is current on required certification.
Participates in the provision of in-services, training, and development opportunities.
Actively seeks out continuing education opportunities.
Provides bedside teaching/education to coworkers, physicians, nurses and students.
Maintains up to date certifications based on job class requirement (ex ACLS for RT2, RT3 and RTSL). Staff will contact CTC and schedule classes prior to expiration and submit education leave according to hospital policy.