Respiratory Care Practitioner - Respiratory Therapy - St. Rita's Medical Center

Mercy Health BSMH • Bath Township, OH

6d

About The Position

The Respiratory Care Practitioner I provides respiratory care through patient assessment, planning, intervention, education, and evaluation. The role performs respiratory care procedures including oxygen and aerosolized medication delivery, ventilator care, bronchial hygiene therapy, diagnostic services, and patient and staff education. The practitioner monitors patients’ responses to therapy and recommends changes or modifications based on assessment.

The practitioner may serve as a preceptor to new team members or students and may assist physicians with bronchoscopy and tracheostomy procedures. The role includes maintaining respiratory therapy equipment and supplies and responding to cardiopulmonary resuscitations. This description is not exhaustive; employees may perform other job-related duties as required by their supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodation.

Requirements

• Current respiratory care license in the state of employment.
• National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) credential.
• BLS Basic Life Support certification from the American Heart Association.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to interact effectively with patients, families, physicians, and staff.
• Good communication, oral and written communication, customer service, organizational, and time-management skills.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse people, receive feedback, gather and interpret data, and demonstrate accountability.
• Knowledge of non-invasive respiratory therapy equipment, such as 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.
• Ability to perform arterial blood gas punctures and testing and airway maneuvers.
• Knowledge of bedside pulmonary function, patient assessment, patient education, chest suction equipment, and chest X-ray interpretation.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree related to respiratory therapy, healthcare, healthcare administration, or business administration.
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential.
• ACLS Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification from the American Heart Association or Red Cross.
• PALS Pediatric Advanced Life Support certification from the American Heart Association.
• Valid driver’s license for Home Care/DME roles.
• 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 (EHR) training.

Responsibilities

• Assess patients’ physical status using observation, palpation, auscultation, percussion, patient behavior, and existing medical-record data.
• Perform treatments according to physician orders, explain therapies and goals to patients, and modify procedures based on patient response.
• Evaluate whether prescribed therapies are appropriate and recommend methods to physicians for achieving therapeutic goals.
• Set up and maintain oxygen-therapy modes to support adequate oxygenation at prescribed inspired oxygen levels.
• Administer IPPB and aerosol therapy, prepare ordered medications, adjust equipment to individual clinical needs, monitor and document vital signs and therapy response, and identify adverse reactions or concerns about therapy appropriateness.
• Provide postural drainage, vibration, and percussion; review orders and X-rays before treatment, and assess patients before and after procedures for secretion clearance and response.
• Instruct patients and families in incentive spirometry, MDI use, postural drainage and clapping, oxygen therapy, ventilator care, and home aerosol therapy.
• Assist physicians with bronchoscopy and tracheostomy as needed, assist with tracheostomy and endotracheal tube changes, and ensure appropriate humidification.
• Obtain sputum for culture and sensitivity or airway clearance using patient coaching, mucolytics, aerosol therapy, or endotracheal/nasopharyngeal suctioning.
• Evaluate normal and pathologic blood and urine laboratory values.
• Perform arterial punctures and analysis, interpret ABGs, and perform arterial-line procedures using appropriate safety and sterile technique, flushing, and ABG aspiration.
• May perform EKGs and use knowledge of electronic monitoring, lead placement, and basic arrhythmias.
• Maintain respiratory therapy equipment and supplies.
• Respond to cardiopulmonary resuscitations and participate as clinical circumstances indicate.
• May precept new team members and/or students.

Benefits

• Competitive pay, incentives, referral bonuses, and a 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