Respiratory Care Professional (RCP) - St. Rita's Medical Center

Mercy Health BSMH • Bath Township, OH

10d

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 such as oxygen and aerosolized medication delivery, ventilator care, bronchial hygiene therapy, and diagnostic services, and provides education to patients and staff. The practitioner monitors patients’ responses to therapies and recommends changes or modifications based on assessments.

Responsibilities include evaluating patients, carrying out and adjusting prescribed treatments, maintaining oxygen therapy, administering respiratory medications and therapies, and monitoring and documenting patient responses. The role also involves patient and family instruction, assisting with bronchoscopy and tracheostomy procedures, obtaining sputum samples, performing arterial punctures and blood gas analysis, maintaining respiratory equipment, and responding to cardiopulmonary resuscitations. The practitioner may precept new team members or students and may perform EKGs.

Requirements

• Current Respiratory Care License in the state of employment (required).
• National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) credential (required).
• BLS Basic Life Support certification from the American Heart Association (required).
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to interact effectively with patients, families, physicians, and staff.
• Good communication, 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 and 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, airway maneuvers, bedside pulmonary function procedures, patient assessment, and patient education.
• Knowledge of 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

• May serve as a preceptor to new team members and/or students.
• Assess patients’ physical status using examination, observation, 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 the appropriateness of prescribed therapy and recommend methods to physicians to achieve therapeutic goals.
• Set up and maintain oxygen-therapy modalities to maintain adequate oxygenation at accurate inspired oxygen levels.
• Administer IPPB and aerosol therapy, prepare prescribed medications, adjust equipment to individual clinical needs, and monitor and document patient responses and adverse reactions.
• Provide postural drainage, vibration, and percussion; review orders and X-rays, and assess patients before and after procedures.
• Instruct patients and families in respiratory therapies and equipment, including incentive spirometry, inhalers, oxygen therapy, ventilator care, and home aerosol therapy.
• May assist physicians with bronchoscopy and tracheostomy, assist with tracheostomy and endotracheal tube changes, and ensure appropriate humidification.
• Obtain sputum samples for culture and sensitivity or airway clearance using coaching, mucolytics, aerosol therapy, or suctioning.
• Evaluate normal and pathologic blood and urine laboratory values.
• Perform arterial punctures and analysis, interpret arterial blood gases, and perform arterial-line procedures using appropriate safety and sterile techniques.
• May perform EKGs and use electronic monitoring, lead placement, and basic arrhythmia knowledge.
• Maintain respiratory therapy equipment and supplies.
• Respond to cardiopulmonary resuscitations and participate as indicated by clinical circumstances.

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.
• May be eligible for a sign-on bonus.

What This Job Offers

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