Respiratory Care Practitioner II

Emory•Decatur, GA

About The Position

This role is for a Respiratory Care Practitioner who has achieved Respiratory Care Practitioner I expertise at the clinical, departmental, and professional levels. The practitioner uses evidence-based practice, supports department and service-area initiatives, and continues professional growth. The role follows Emory Behavioral Standards and Service Culture Guidelines, provides patient- and family-centered care, and consistently meets departmental and hospital quality and safety goals. The practitioner maintains competencies, guides colleagues in applying policies and procedures, confirms readiness to work in new areas, and ensures equipment is functional and ready for emergencies. The role includes assessing unit workload and reporting needs to a supervisor or charge practitioner, mentoring Respiratory Care Practitioner I staff, participating in complex-care discussions, and serving as a preceptor. The practitioner must be competent in at least one critical or specialty care area, such as NICU, ICU, ECMO, CVICU, emergency department, CPET, pulmonary rehabilitation, or interventional pulmonary. The practitioner supports the service area by participating in department-related training and skills sessions, suggesting care modifications, locating needed resources, supporting ventilator management, and attending department meetings and educational offerings. Professional activities include supporting evaluation of new equipment, reviewing policies and procedures, maintaining 15 CEUs annually, and serving as a preceptor or mentor. Attendance at a professional respiratory conference at least once every two years is highly encouraged. The position is a day shift, 6:45 a.m.–7:15 p.m. The schedule is organized in four-week periods and requires working two Mondays, two Fridays, and every third weekend during each schedule period. An annual holiday package consisting of three specified holidays is required.

Requirements

Associate degree in Respiratory Care.
At least 2 years of experience.
Active Respiratory Care Practitioner license in Georgia.
Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care.
Active membership in the American Association of Respiratory Care (AARC).
At least one of the following certifications: ECMO training certification, intubation certification, FCCS instructor, PALS certification, NRP certification, AARC Pulmonary Disease Educator, AARC Asthma Educator Certificate, or AARC Pulmonary Rehabilitation certificate.
BLS certification.
Complete ACLS within 6 months of hire for adult critical care.
Ability to meet the stated physical demands, including lifting up to 50 pounds and carrying objects up to 25 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Respiratory Care or a related science.
NPS certification for work in a special care nursery or NICU.
ACCS certification for work in critical care.
CPFT and/or RPFT certification for work in pulmonary function testing.
AE-C certification for work in the Asthma Clinic.
Attend a local, state, or national respiratory conference at least once every two years.

Responsibilities

Maintain all required competencies and guide others in using clinical policies and procedures.
Ensure competence when assigned to a new work area.
Verify that equipment is functioning and ready for emergencies; remove faulty equipment from service and report failures.
Serve as a role model for peers.
Assess unit workload, report to the supervisor or charge practitioner, and anticipate needs.
Provide mentor-level support to Respiratory Care Practitioner I staff.
Assist patient-care-team discussions during complex patient-care situations.
Function competently in appropriate clinical areas and as a preceptor.
Complete the required preceptor course.
Be competent in at least one critical or specialty care area, such as NICU, ICU, ECMO, CVICU, emergency department, CPET, pulmonary rehabilitation, or interventional pulmonary.
Participate as a department in-service or annual-skills-session super user when appropriate.
Suggest modifications to care to the patient-care team.
Acquire resources that are not readily available.
Serve as a resource for ventilator management.
Attend at least 75% of department meetings and regularly attend in-services and educational offerings.
Support evaluation of new equipment and review policies and procedures to guide practice.
Serve as a preceptor or mentor for level I respiratory therapists.
Complete 15 CEUs annually.