BSH Registered Respiratory Therapist - PRN Status

Bronson Healthcare•South Haven, MN

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision from the Respiratory manager and/or Director, the Registered Respiratory Therapist works in hospital patient-care areas according to organizational policies and guidelines. The therapist follows provider prescriptions and established procedures to initiate and administer respiratory care for patients with cardiopulmonary abnormalities and deficiencies, and serves as a resource to providers, nurses, and other hospital team members on advanced respiratory diagnosis and rehabilitation. The role provides and evaluates respiratory therapy, communicates findings and recommendations to appropriate personnel, administers and adjusts oxygen therapy, and supports patients and families with education. The therapist performs respiratory procedures and testing, maintains artificial airways and respiratory equipment, and responds to emergencies, including Code Blue events. The role also contributes to student instruction, staff orientation, department operations, and quality and performance improvement activities. This position is part-time PRN, with variable shifts and 10 scheduled weekly hours, at Bronson South Haven Hospital in South Haven, Michigan. It interacts with providers, nursing and ancillary staff, respiratory therapy staff, patients, and families. The work involves considerable standing and walking, lifting objects up to 50 pounds, assisting with heavier patient-moving tasks, and occasional stooping, crouching, kneeling, or moving quickly during emergencies. It may involve personal-computer or CRT use for up to 40 percent of the time. Overtime may be required, and shift hours may change to meet department needs.

Requirements

Associate’s degree in Respiratory Therapy; an accredited Respiratory Therapy program certificate or diploma is also accepted for the BLH and BSH-specific requirement.
Current Respiratory Therapist license in the State of Michigan.
For employees hired after 2004, Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credentials are required within one year of hire.
Attend AHA courses for BLS, ACLS, PALS, and AAP-NRP and obtain certifications according to site requirements. BLS certification is required within three months of hire; site-specific ACLS, PALS, and NRP certifications are required within one year of hire.
For BLH and BSH: completion of an accredited Respiratory Therapy program and five years of experience.
Demonstrate competencies appropriate to the age groups served in direct patient care.
Complete the required preceptor course when taking an active role in supervising and instructing Respiratory Care students.
Ability to meet the physical demands described, including considerable standing or walking, lifting light-weight objects up to 50 pounds, assisting with heavier patient-moving tasks, and occasional stooping, crouching, kneeling, or moving quickly during emergencies.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide respiratory therapy to patients and communicate findings to appropriate personnel; evaluate information logically and thoroughly and discuss conclusions with providers and nurses.
Evaluate invasive and non-invasive blood gases and discuss conclusions and suggested therapy changes based on ABG results.
Communicate ventilator recommendations to providers and nursing based on patient evaluations and blood gases.
Verify provider orders are complete and administer therapy accordingly.
Perform age-specific respiratory therapies in accordance with provider orders, protocols, or guidelines.
Explain therapies to patients in terms suited to their age and learning capabilities.
Assess patient responses to therapy and recommend or make adjustments according to provider direction or applicable protocols.
Administer, assess, and titrate oxygen therapy; notify managers, nursing personnel, and providers of adverse patient reactions.
Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation and respond promptly to Code Blue events, providing life support according to applicable BLS, ACLS, NRP, and PALS guidelines and site-specific responsibilities.
Assist providers with tracheal intubation or perform it when competency requirements are complete.
Maintain and stabilize artificial airways, including endotracheal and tracheostomy tubes, following department policy.
Use infant and pediatric resuscitation equipment appropriately in emergencies, including PEEP adaptations and pop-off valves.
Assist with patient and family education alongside the healthcare team.
Perform basic pulmonary function testing, EKGs, arterial blood gases, pulse oximetry, end-tidal CO2 monitoring, and transcutaneous oximetry according to department policies and procedures.
Assist with bedside bronchoscopies, intubations, and extubations according to department policies and procedures.
Perform nasotracheal, endotracheal, and tracheal suctioning and sample collection according to department policies and procedures.
Assist with safe patient transport by walking, wheelchair, gurney, or crib; may assist with ambulance transports between facilities.
Communicate patient diagnosis and therapy accurately during shift-change reports and accurately charge patients for therapies performed.
Supervise and instruct Respiratory Care students, complete the required preceptor course, and help students develop clinical skills.
Respond to patient-census and relative-value-unit fluctuations; work overtime when necessary and change shift hours to meet department needs.
Maintain and clean respiratory equipment and ensure readiness and supply availability.
Orient and instruct new department personnel, nursing staff, students, and respiratory personnel in Respiratory Care procedures as required.
Attend in-services and online learning, and meet minimum work and education requirements.
Participate in department and hospital-wide process improvement, quality assurance, and performance improvement initiatives.
Support the hospital's mission, vision, and values and work safely, taking responsibility for safety and environmental hazards affecting oneself, staff, and patients.
Participate in self-development and continuing education, including mandatory in-services and other educational activities.