pp FT Night Shift 7p-7a - Bronson Methodist Hospital

Bronson Healthcare•Kalamazoo, MI

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision from the Respiratory manager and/or Director, the Registered Respiratory Therapist works in hospital patient-care areas and follows provider prescriptions and established policies and procedures to initiate and administer respiratory care for patients with cardiopulmonary abnormalities and deficiencies. The therapist serves as a resource to providers, nurses, and other hospital team members on advanced respiratory diagnosis and rehabilitation. This position is based at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo and is a full-time, 12-hour night-shift role (7 p.m.–7 a.m.), scheduled for 36 hours per week. The role interacts with providers, nursing and ancillary staff, respiratory therapy staff, patients, and families. It includes direct care for patients of different ages, emergency response, patient and family education, equipment readiness, and collaboration with the healthcare team. The employee participates in professional development, department and hospital improvement activities, and the supervision and instruction of respiratory care students. The position may require overtime and changes to shift hours to meet department needs.

Requirements

Associate degree in Respiratory Therapy (AS).
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.
BLS certification is required within three months of hire; ACLS, PALS, and AAP-NRP certifications are required within one year of hire according to site-specific requirements.
For BLH and BSH only: completion of an accredited Respiratory Therapy program (certificate, diploma, or associate degree) and five years of experience.
Ability to meet physical demands that include considerable standing or walking, regularly lifting objects up to 50 pounds, assisting with heavier lifting and moving of patients, occasional stooping, crouching, or kneeling, and moving quickly to gather equipment and medication during emergencies.
Ability to perform duties involving mental and visual fatigue, frequent significant uncontrollable deadlines, and personal computer or CRT use for up to 40 percent of the time.
Ability to assume minor straining or fatiguing positions and perform some fatiguing physical motions.
Ability to demonstrate competencies necessary to provide services appropriate to the ages of the patient population served.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Respiratory Therapy.

Responsibilities

Provide respiratory therapy and communicate findings to appropriate personnel; evaluate objective and subjective information and discuss conclusions with providers and nurses to address patient problems.
Evaluate invasive and non-invasive blood gases and discuss conclusions and therapy recommendations based on results.
Communicate ventilator recommendations to providers and nursing based on patient evaluations and blood gases.
Verify provider orders and administer therapy accordingly.
Perform age-specific respiratory therapies according to provider orders, protocols, and guidelines.
Explain therapies to patients in terms appropriate to their age and learning capabilities.
Assess patient responses to therapy and make recommendations or modify treatment according to provider direction or respiratory protocols.
Administer, assess, and titrate oxygen therapy.
Notify managers, nursing personnel, and providers of adverse patient reactions.
Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation and respond to Code Blue events, providing life support according to applicable BLS, ACLS, NRP, and PALS guidelines and site responsibilities.
Assist providers with tracheal intubation or perform it when competency requirements are met.
Maintain and stabilize artificial airways, including endotracheal and tracheostomy tubes, in accordance with department policies.
Use infant and pediatric resuscitation equipment appropriately in emergencies, including PEEP adaptations and pop-off valves.
Assist with patient and family education as part of 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, and potentially assist with ambulance transports between facilities.
Accurately communicate patient diagnosis and therapy during change-of-shift reports and accurately charge patients for therapies performed.
Supervise and instruct Respiratory Care students, complete the required preceptor course, and support students in developing clinical skills.
Respond to changes in patient census and relative value units; work overtime when necessary and adjust shift hours for department needs.
Maintain and clean respiratory equipment and ensure supplies are available.
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 complete minimum work and education requirements.
Participate in department and hospital-wide process improvement and quality assurance activities.
Perform related duties as required or assigned for the site.
Support the hospital's mission, vision, and values and work safely, taking responsibility for safety and environmental hazards affecting oneself, staff, and patients.
Demonstrate adherence to Bronson customer service standards and provide care appropriate to the age of the population served.
Participate in self-development and continuous education, including required in-services, educational activities, and community service as applicable.