Respiratory Care Practitioner II (RCP II) - Anderson Hospital

Mercy Health BSMH • Union Township, OH

32d

About The Position

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

The practitioner may serve as shift Charge Therapist, coordinating staffing assignments and coverage, and may assist physicians with procedures. The role also includes emergency response, airway and ventilator management, diagnostic testing, patient and family education, equipment maintenance, and documentation. Employees may be asked to perform other job-related duties as required by their supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodation.

Requirements

• Two years of experience as a Respiratory Care Professional.
• 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.
• 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.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to interact effectively with patients, families, physicians, and staff.
• Good communication, customer service, organizational, and time-management skills; good 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 and equipment, 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 testing, 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.
• NRP Neonatal Resuscitation Program certification from AAP/AWHONN.
• Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT) credential.
• Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT) credential.
• ACCS Adult Critical Care Specialist credential from NBRC.
• EPIC Electronic Health Record (EHR) training.
• Valid driver’s license for Home Care/DME roles.

Responsibilities

• Assess patients’ physical status using inspection, palpation, auscultation, percussion, patient behavior, and review of existing records.
• Plan, provide, and evaluate respiratory treatments according to physician orders; explain therapies and goals to patients and modify procedures based on patient response.
• Monitor patients’ responses to respiratory therapies and recommend changes or modifications when appropriate.
• Perform respiratory procedures, including oxygen and aerosolized medication delivery, ventilator care, bronchial hygiene therapy, and diagnostic services.
• May serve as shift Charge Therapist by ensuring adequate staffing, assigning staff to work areas or tasks, modifying assignments, assisting with meal coverage, managing call-offs, and ensuring staffing for the next shift.
• May assist physicians with bronchoscopy, transtracheal catheter insertion, tracheotomy intubation where performed by respiratory therapy, tracheostomy or endotracheal tube changes, and invasive monitoring.
• Perform CPR, including closed chest compressions and airway management, in accordance with AHA ACLS protocol; respond to cardiopulmonary resuscitations and participate as indicated.
• Maintain patient airways using appropriate devices and techniques, including airway humidification, secretion aspiration, extubation, and maintaining correct endotracheal tube cuff pressures; document procedures.
• Select, assemble, monitor, and evaluate mechanical ventilators; correct malfunctions, maintain cleanliness, and assess suitability for the patient’s condition.
• May perform pulmonary function tests and may perform EKGs; understand electronic monitoring, lead placement, and basic arrhythmias.
• Determine the appropriateness of prescribed therapies and recommend methods to physicians to achieve therapeutic goals, including IPPB, aerosol therapy, postural drainage and percussion, ultrasonic nebulizers, incentive spirometry, and metered-dose inhalers with spacers.
• Set up and maintain oxygen therapy modes to support adequate PaO2 and accurate inspired oxygen levels.
• Administer IPPB or aerosol therapy, prepare prescribed medications, adjust equipment to meet individual clinical needs, document and observe patient status and response, and identify possible adverse reactions or concerns about therapy appropriateness.
• Provide postural drainage, vibration, and percussion; review orders and X-rays before treatment, and assess breath sounds and response before and after procedures.
• Instruct patients and families in incentive spirometry, MDI administration, postural drainage and clapping, oxygen therapy, ventilator care, and home aerosol therapy.
• Obtain sputum for culture and sensitivity or airway clearance through patient coaching, mucolytics, aerosol therapy, or endotracheal or nasopharyngeal suctioning.
• Evaluate normal and pathologic blood and urine laboratory value ranges.
• Perform arterial punctures and analysis, interpret arterial blood gases, and perform arterial line procedures using safety precautions and sterile technique, including flushing and ABG aspirations.
• Maintain respiratory therapy equipment and supplies.
• Serve as a preceptor to 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: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed