Respiratory Care Practitioner I-IV & Respiratory Therapist Per Diem Pool I-IV

Ventura County•Ventura, CA

37d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Ventura County Health Care Agency is seeking dedicated Respiratory Care Practitioners to join the Ventura County Medical Center and Santa Paula Hospital. Opportunities are available at the Respiratory Care Practitioner I (Trainee), II, III, and IV levels and Respiratory Therapist Per Diem Pool (PDP) I, II, III IV levels. This flexibly staffed series provides a structured career path for respiratory care professionals seeking to advance from foundational clinical practice to highly specialized neonatal and pediatric critical care. Respiratory Care Practitioners/Respiratory Therapist PDPs provide respiratory therapy services to neonatal, pediatric, and adult patients in a variety of clinical settings, including the Adult Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Depending on assignment and level, incumbents perform respiratory assessments, administer therapeutic treatments and medications, manage advanced airway and ventilatory support, educate patients and families, collaborate with multidisciplinary healthcare teams, and respond to emergency situations requiring advanced life support. The level at which an individual is appointed is based on qualifications, experience, demonstrated competencies, and the operational needs of the Health Care Agency.

Requirements

Possession of current Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license issued by the State of California Board of Respiratory Care (the license number must be included in the application).
No experience required (for Respiratory Care Practitioner I and Respiratory Therapist PDP I).
Successful completion of one (1) year as a Respiratory Care Practitioner I (Trainee) for the Ventura County Medical Center OR One (1) year of responsible experience providing general respiratory care in a critical care hospital setting (for Respiratory Care Practitioner II).
Two (2) years of experience providing general respiratory care in a critical care setting within an acute care hospital, including demonstrated proficiency in the adult intensive care unit (ICU) and one (1) year experience in either a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) or pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) OR Two (2) years of experience providing respiratory care in a critical care setting within an acute care hospital exclusively in a NICU or PICU, including demonstrated proficiency in advanced neonatal or pediatric ventilatory management (for Respiratory Care Practitioner III).
Three (3) years of combined NICU and PICU respiratory care experience, including at least one (1) year in each unit. Must be able to work in both units during a shift and provide adult care as needed. Experience includes independently performing advanced respiratory care, including high-acuity intubation and airway management for infants, children, and adults OR Five (5) years of respiratory care experience within an acute care hospital, including two (2) years in the NICU or two (2) years in the PICU. Candidates must be willing to complete one (1) year of cross-training in the alternative unit (NICU or PICU). Upon successful completion of training, incumbents must be able to work in both units during a shift and provide adult care as needed. Experience includes independently performing advanced respiratory care, including high-acuity intubation and airway management for infants, children, and adults (for Respiratory Care Practitioner IV).
One (1) year of critical care experience (for Respiratory Therapist PDP II).
Two (2) years of critical care experience (for Respiratory Therapist PDP III).
Three (3) years of critical care experience (for Respiratory Therapist PDP IV).
Must have a valid Basic Life Support (BLS) certification, which includes CPR training by date of hire (for Regular Positions, All Levels).
Must possess and maintain valid certifications (Levels II-IV), or obtain within (1) year of employment (Level I): Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) (for Regular Positions, RCP I-IV).
Must possess and maintain a valid Basic Life Support (BLS) certificate by date of hire (for PDP Positions, All Levels).
Must possess (or obtain within six (6) months of employment) and maintain a valid Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certificate (for PDP Positions, All Levels).
Must possess (or obtain within six (6) months of employment) and maintain a valid Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certificate (for PDP Positions, All Levels).
Knowledge of the operating principles, methods and techniques, care and maintenance of the most commonly used types of respirators and respiratory therapy equipment including medical gas, humidity, aerosol therapy, bronchial hygiene, airway management, and mechanical ventilation therapies.
Knowledge of etiology, anatomy, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiopulmonary diseases (e.g., asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and associated comorbidities.
Knowledge of theory, practices, and procedures of respiratory care and therapy.
Knowledge of management and respiratory therapy rules, regulations, policies, and procedures commonly found in health care facilities.
Knowledge of Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) (Levels II-IV) according to American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines.
Knowledge of departmental protocols and procedures for the safe and effective administration of medications.
Knowledge of policies and practices for recording and maintaining patient care information accurately and securely.
Knowledge of techniques for performing, analyzing, and assessing bedside pulmonary function studies and arterial punctures.
Skill in providing respiratory care services and performing diagnostic procedures.
Skill in making independent clinical judgments.
Skill in working under pressure while applying life-saving measures.
Skill in operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting respiratory therapy equipment.
Skill in assessing and administering respiratory medications.
Skill in handling defective respiratory equipment appropriately.
Ability to administer skilled respiratory therapy treatments.
Ability to set up, assemble, and adjust respiratory therapy equipment.
Ability to develop an understanding of hospital routines.
Ability to work effectively with medical staff.
Ability to communicate with patients.
Ability to interact tactfully with patients and physicians.
Ability to work under pressure.
Ability to maintain quality control programs.
Ability to follow written and oral directions.
Ability to exercise clinical judgment in modifying treatment approaches within the NICU or PICU (Respiratory Care Practitioner Level III and IV only).
Ability to learn and perform high-acuity intubation and airway management (Respiratory Care Practitioner Level III and IV only).
Ability to work independently within specialty units (Respiratory Care Practitioner Level III and IV only).
Ability to educate and train medical staff (Respiratory Care Practitioner Level III and IV only).
Ability to coordinate staff assignments (Respiratory Care Practitioner Level III and IV only).

Nice To Haves

Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) (desired for all PDP levels).

Responsibilities

Performs general respiratory therapy and procedures in Adult ICU including but not limited to medical gas, humidity, aerosol, bronchial hygiene, airway management, and mechanical ventilation therapies in accordance with departmental protocols and procedures.
Assesses, plans, and provides individualized patient care by gathering information through direct contact, chart reviews, and other sources, and communicates findings to the healthcare team.
Administers Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) (II only) in emergency situations, ensuring optimal patient care and adherence to American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines.
Administers respiratory medications and treatments including oxygen therapy, aerosolized medications, and various respiratory care equipment, ensuring proper dosage and application based on patient needs and physician orders.
Performs oxygen and equipment rounds, troubleshoots and maintains equipment, and ensures proper preparation, cleaning, sterilization, and repair as required.
Performs pulmonary function studies and arterial punctures, analyzes the data, and evaluates results to inform patient care decisions.
Attends in-service educational classes.
Advises physicians, medical supervisors, and medical staff regarding clinical problems or patients requiring further evaluation.
Documents and maintains respiratory care procedures in patient medical records.
Provides patient and family education, including instruction on the operation of respiratory equipment and understanding of therapy procedures.
Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge and adherence to management and respiratory therapy rules, regulations, policies, and procedures commonly implemented in healthcare facilities.
Performs other related duties as required.
May participate in and receive training on more complex procedures in the NICU or PICU which provides the experience necessary for advancement to Level III.
Receives structured training and supervised practice to learn and perform high-acuity intubation and airway management procedures for infants, children, and adults.
Performs specialized respiratory care duties independently within the NICU or PICU, demonstrating advanced training and proficiency in critical care practices.
Coordinates and monitors staff assignments during assigned shifts to ensure efficient workflow, continuity of care, and adherence to established protocols.
Assists staff with complex treatment modalities and difficult clinical cases, exercising clinical judgment and providing guidance as appropriate.
Assists staff during all high-risk deliveries and C-sections (NICU).
Assists in C-sections with zero risk factors (PICU).
Independently performs advanced respiratory care duties within both the NICU and PICU, demonstrating specialized expertise and proficiency, including high-acuity intubation and airway management procedures for infants, children, and adults.
Assists staff with the most complex treatment modalities and difficult clinical cases, exercising clinical judgment and providing guidance as appropriate.
Under physician orders, performs the full scope of respiratory care procedures, such as interviewing patients, performing limited physical examinations, and conducting diagnostic tests.
Responds to all patient care-related codes that are called out on the overhead paging system.
Provides instruction to patients and families in the operation of respiratory equipment and procedures to gain cooperation, allay fears, and maximize effectiveness.
Maintains patient records, billing documentation, and/or test documentation.
Assesses patients for appropriate treatment, monitors patients, and reassesses patients to evaluate treatment and any needed adjustments, communicating any recommendations to physicians.
Administers treatments and medications involving oxygen, oxygen mixtures, aerosol medications, and various respiratory care equipment.
Trains non-respiratory care hospital staff in procedures relating to respiratory therapy that are shared responsibilities or for cross-discipline training as needed.
Performs preventive maintenance of equipment, including mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, and aerosol generators.
Performs other duties as assigned.