Registered Respiratory Therapist

About the position

The Registered Respiratory Therapist provides respiratory assessment, support, treatment and diagnostic tests as part of the healthcare team in accordance with the St. Charles Health System's mission, philosophy, policies, and procedures while applying standards for professional respiratory practice in the clinical setting. The Respiratory Therapist performs duties according to physician's orders, utilizing knowledge and judgment in regard to technique and patient treatment. The Respiratory Therapist will be responsible for adult, geriatric, pediatric and neonatal patient respiratory care as assigned. This position does not directly supervise any other caregivers.

Responsibilities

• Manages, assesses, plans, and evaluates care for patients with acute and/or chronic cardiopulmonary deficiencies and abnormalities.
• Performs established respiratory care procedures for patients within department scope of practice.
• Ventilator management - Manages all modes of mechanical ventilation, including lung protective strategies, monitoring patient/ventilator interactions and lung mechanics.
• Manages delivery of aerosolized medications and metered dose inhalers.
• Manages delivery of exogenous gases (nitric oxide and heliox).
• Responsible for management of artificial airways and tracheostomy tubes, tracheostomy tube exchanges and decannulation.
• Assists with fiber optic bronchoscopy and intubations.
• Assists with moderate sedation.
• Monitors arterial blood gases, EtC02, SP02, blood pressure, vital signs, and other monitoring related to hemodynamics.
• Conducts assessment and implementation of protocols for oxygen, bronchopulmonary hygiene, bronchodilator, lung expansion, hypoxic risk protocol.
• Conducts assessment and implementation of oxygen therapy to include low and high flow oxygen therapy with various devices.
• Performs EKGs as needed at some locations.
• Participates in Code Blue, Trauma Team, Rapid Response, Neonatal resuscitation and high-risk newborn deliveries.
• Calculates dosages and administers medications accurately in accordance with St. Charles Health System policies and procedures for medication administration.
• Documents all patient care with proficiency in compliance with hospital policies, procedures and regulatory agencies.
• Identifies work-related problems with possible solutions and implements solution(s) (within scope of practice), when appropriate.
• Participates in creating a healing environment that supports all aspects of the care environment and the wholeness of each individual, patient and caregiver.
• Provides a therapeutic presence in service to others by purposefully responding to the needs of patients in a caring way.
• Supports the vision, mission and values of the organization in all respects.
• Supports Lean principles of continuous improvement with energy and enthusiasm.
• Conducts all activities with the highest standards of professionalism and confidentiality.
• Delivers customer service and/or patient care in a manner that promotes goodwill, is timely, efficient and accurate.
• May perform additional duties of similar complexity within the organization, as required or assigned.
• May be required to float to other St. Charles Health System campus locations based on operational needs as directed by leadership.

Requirements

• Current Respiratory Therapist licensure with the Oregon Health Licensing office.
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) registration.
• NRP required to be assigned to NICU/FBC or to function as a lead therapist.
• ACLS, and PALS within six (6) months of hire.
• AHA Basic Life Support for Healthcare Provider certification.
• Valid Oregon driver's license and ability to meet St. Charles Health System driving requirements.

Nice-to-haves

• Bachelors degree in related field.
• Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT).
• Adult Critical Care Specialist (ACCS).
• Neonatal/Pediatric Specialist (NPS).
• Asthma Educator Specialist (AE-C) from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
• Two (2) years of hospital experience. Emergency and trauma experience.