Rehabilitation Respiratory Therapist

Sevita•Las Vegas, NV

About The Position

Under the supervision of the Respiratory Therapy Supervisor, the Respiratory Therapist delivers direct respiratory care to assigned subacute care patients at the Children’s Recovery Center. The therapist plans, implements, and evaluates the effectiveness of respiratory care and serves as a resource to therapists, nurses, physicians, and other healthcare team members. The role also participates in clinical in-service education and training concerning respiratory care policies and procedures. The therapist provides and documents therapeutic and diagnostic care, assesses whether ordered care is appropriate, develops respiratory care plans, and communicates changes with the healthcare team. Responsibilities include managing mechanical ventilation, performing emergency respiratory procedures and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, maintaining equipment and quality controls, and helping develop clinical procedures and improvements to respiratory care. The role has no required supervisory responsibilities.

Requirements

Graduation from an approved Respiratory Therapy program.
Two years of experience.
Current California credential to practice Respiratory Care.
Registered Respiratory Therapist or eligible for registration by the National Board of Respiratory Care.
Ability to apply pediatric respiratory principles in a clinical setting.
Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills and interpersonal skills.
Ability to problem solve.
PALS certification is required; it may be completed after hire.
Ability to successfully demonstrate Respiratory Care competencies.
Ability to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position and demonstrate emotional stability.
Ability to assist in evacuating children during emergencies.
Ability to meet the listed physical requirements, including exerting up to 50 pounds occasionally, up to 30 pounds frequently, and up to 10 pounds constantly; standing, handling objects or controls, reaching, talking, hearing, walking, sitting, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and moving intermittently throughout the workday.
Required visual abilities include close, distance, and color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and adjustment of focus.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s Degree in Respiratory Care Technology preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide direct respiratory care services to assigned patients.
Coordinate and monitor patient care according to departmental policies and procedures.
Set up, adjust, and manage patients receiving continuous mechanical ventilation, including maintaining airway patency, suctioning, stabilizing tracheostomy tubes, monitoring cuff pressures, and ensuring ventilators deliver appropriate settings and oxygen concentrations.
Wean patients from continuous ventilation when indicated and according to established procedures.
Document therapeutic and diagnostic activities and results in patients’ medical records, including therapy details, medications, oxygen, vital signs, breath sounds, sputum and cough observations, complications, responses, and general observations.
Assess the appropriateness of ordered respiratory care and discuss variances with the primary physician when necessary.
Formulate respiratory care plans based on patient assessments.
Monitor and identify quality assurance problems.
Communicate effectively with physicians and other members of the healthcare team, including changes in respiratory care plans.
Participate in patient rounds and serve as a respiratory care resource to the healthcare team.
Explain treatment procedures to patients and family members and provide patient education about the pulmonary system.
Participate in meetings and conferences intended to improve respiratory care delivery.
Propose, develop, and help implement respiratory care techniques, methods, and treatment modalities; assist in developing clinical procedures.
Perform emergency and acute respiratory care procedures according to service policies and procedures.
Respond to cardiopulmonary arrests and provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation and airway care as needed.
Identify needs for improved documentation forms and problems involving departmental, staff, and patient safety.
Perform peer reviews of other therapists in the area of responsibility.
Provide the supervisor with input regarding staffing, equipment, and supply needs.
Assemble, check, troubleshoot, and perform quality controls on respiratory care equipment.
Maintain clinical and professional competency according to established standards of practice.