Respiratory Care Practitioner I Intern - St. Mary's Hospital

Bon Secours Mercy Health • Richmond, VA

6d

About The Position

The Respiratory Care Practitioner I provides respiratory care through patient assessment, planning, intervention, education, and evaluation. The practitioner performs respiratory care procedures including oxygen and aerosolized medication delivery, ventilator care, bronchial hygiene therapy, diagnostic services, and patient and staff education. They monitor patient responses to therapy and recommend changes or modifications based on their assessment. The role may also involve precepting new team members or students and responding to cardiopulmonary resuscitations.

Requirements

• Current respiratory care license in the state of employment.
• National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) credential.
• American Heart Association BLS Basic Life Support certification.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to interact effectively with patients, families, physicians, and staff.
• Good communication, customer service, organizational, and time-management skills, including oral and written communication.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse people, receive feedback, gather and interpret data, and demonstrate accountability.
• Knowledge of non-invasive respiratory therapy equipment, including oximeters or end-tidal CO2 analyzers.
• Knowledge of therapeutic procedures including CPAP/BiPAP, jet aerosol, oxygen therapy, incentive spirometry, chest physiotherapy, pulse oximetry, high-flow oxygen, continuous aerosols, ventilator management, and diagnostic testing.
• Understanding of EKGs, electronic monitoring, lead placement, and basic arrhythmias.
• Knowledge of arterial blood gas punctures and testing, airway maneuvers, bedside pulmonary function, patient assessment and education, chest suction equipment, and chest X-ray interpretation.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree related to respiratory therapy, health care, healthcare administration, or business administration.
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential.
• American Heart Association or Red Cross ACLS Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification.
• American Heart Association PALS Pediatric Advanced Life Support certification.
• Previous work experience in an ambulatory or acute care setting.
• Six months of respiratory therapy experience in a general care area.
• EPIC Electronic Health Record training.

Responsibilities

• Assess patients using inspection, palpation, auscultation, percussion, patient behavior, and review of medical records.
• Perform treatments according to physician orders, explain therapy and goals to patients, and modify treatment procedures based on patient response.
• Assess whether prescribed therapies are appropriate and recommend methods to physicians for achieving therapeutic goals.
• Set up and maintain oxygen therapy modalities to support adequate oxygenation and prescribed inspired oxygen levels.
• Administer IPPB and aerosol therapy; prepare prescribed medication, adjust equipment to meet individual clinical needs, observe and document patient response and vital signs, and identify potential adverse reactions.
• Provide postural drainage, vibration, and percussion; review orders and X-rays before treatment and assess response before and after procedures.
• Educate patients and families on incentive spirometry, MDI use, postural drainage and clapping, oxygen therapy, ventilator care, and home aerosol therapy.
• Assist physicians with bronchoscopy and tracheostomy, assist with tracheostomy and endotracheal tube changes, and ensure proper humidification.
• Obtain sputum specimens or promote airway clearance through coaching, mucolytics, aerosol therapy, or endotracheal/nasopharyngeal suctioning.
• Evaluate normal and abnormal blood and urine laboratory values.
• Perform arterial punctures and analyses, interpret ABGs, and perform arterial-line procedures using appropriate safety and sterile techniques, flushing, and ABG aspiration.
• May perform EKGs and apply knowledge of electronic monitoring, lead placement, and basic arrhythmias.
• Maintain respiratory therapy equipment and supplies.
• Respond to cardiopulmonary resuscitations and participate as clinically indicated.
• May serve as a preceptor to new team members and/or students.

Benefits

• Competitive pay, incentives, referral bonuses, and 403(b) with employer contributions when eligible.
• Medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage; HSA/FSA options; life insurance; mental health resources; and discounts.
• Paid time off, parental and FMLA leave, short- and long-term disability, and backup care for children and elders.
• Tuition assistance, professional development, and continuing education support.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed