Registered Respiratory Therapists - VA Los Angeles, CA

Fidelity Partners • Los Angeles, CA

14d • Onsite

About The Position

The Registered Respiratory Therapist will support the Department of Veterans Affairs, Medical Service-Respiratory Section, Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System by educating and treating individuals with heart and lung conditions. They often collaborate with specialists in Pulmonary, Emergency Room (ER), and Intensive Care Units (ICU) on various aspects of patient care. Respiratory Therapists are specialists in airway management and mechanical ventilation. They are often in charge of initiating and managing life support for patients in ICUs and emergency departments; stabilizing and monitoring high-risk patients being transported by ambulance from hospital to hospital; and administering inhaled drugs and medical gases, such as mucolytics, bronchodilators, oxygen, and nitric oxide.

Requirements

• Associate degree (minimum) or bachelor's degree in Respiratory Care from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).
• Completion of an accredited Respiratory Therapy Program.
• Two (2) years of Respiratory Therapy experience, and one (1) Year in critical care.
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) Credentials - Issued by the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC)
• State License issued by the Respiratory Board of California.
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support certified.
• Three (3) Letters of Professional References.

Responsibilities

• Respond to Rapid Response Calls.
• Set up Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), Automatic Positive Airway Pressure (APAP), and Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (BIPAP) systems.
• Performs testing that measures sleep cycles and stages of sleep, monitors, and records the following elements:
• Sleep patterns and stages
• Blood oxygen levels
• Body position
• Brain waves (EEG)
• Breathing rate
• Electrical activity of muscles
• Eye movements
• Leg movements
• Heart rate
• Provide Patient/family education.
• Recognize the need for medical intervention if patient safety is at risk.
• The use of split-night diagnostic/therapeutic studies as described:
• perform polysomnogram during the first part of the night and then CPAP titration study during the 2nd half of the night if the initial part of the study is consistent with obstructive sleep apnea.
• Perform a full night polysomnogram.
• Sleep staging, defined as continuous recording of at least one (1) channel of Electroencephalogram (EEG), two (2) channels of Electrooculography (EOG), and one (1) channel of Electromyography (EMG) recording, following the rules of the staging systematized by A. Rechtschaffen and A. Kales.
• Continuous recording of four (4) or more additional parameters of sleep, including at least airflow, oximetry, Electrocardiogram (EKG), and EMG.
• Continuous attendance as a technologist, working under the direction of the Chief of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and Chief of Respiratory Therapy, who reports to the Chief of Pulmonary and Critical Care.
• Maintain a technical log, manually and electronically, of patient information, including nocturnal patient activity, position, and events.
• Perform electronic and manual scoring.
• Follow written policies, procedures, and guidelines defining the response to findings disclosed during testing requiring medical evaluation and treatment, including the use of oxygen, and split-night protocols.

Benefits

• Health/Dental and Vision
• Paid Time Off: Up to 80 hours per year, which starts accruing on the day of hire.
• Sick Leave per Year: Up to 56 hours per year, which starts occurring on the day of hire.
• Paid Federal Holidays: Eleven (11) Paid Federal Holidays
• Competitive Compensation package
• Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental and vision options.
• Outstanding career growth potential.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree