Respiratory Care Practitioner II PRN - West Hospital

Bon Secours Mercy Health • Cincinnati, OH

13d • Onsite

About The Position

The Respiratory Care Practitioner II provides respiratory care through patient assessment, planning, intervention, education, and evaluation. The practitioner performs respiratory care procedures including oxygen and aerosolized medication delivery, ventilator care, bronchial hygiene therapy, diagnostic services, and patient and staff education. They monitor patients’ responses to therapy and recommend changes or modifications based on assessment. The role may include serving as shift Charge Therapist, coordinating respiratory staffing and work assignments, and precepting new team members or students. The practitioner also maintains respiratory therapy equipment and supplies and responds to cardiopulmonary resuscitations. This is a PRN role in the Respiratory Therapy department at West Hospital, with evening/night shifts indicated.

Requirements

• Two years of experience as a Respiratory Care Professional.
• Current Respiratory Care License in the state where employed.
• 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.
• 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 and airway maneuvers.
• Knowledge of bedside pulmonary function testing, patient assessment and education, chest suction equipment, and chest X-ray interpretation.
• Valid driver's license, required for Home Care/DME roles.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree related to Respiratory Therapy, healthcare, healthcare administration, or business administration.
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential.
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification from AAP/AWHONN.
• Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT) credential.
• Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT) credential.
• Adult Critical Care Specialist (ACCS) credential from NBRC.
• EPIC Electronic Health Record (EHR) training.

Responsibilities

• Provide respiratory care through patient assessment, planning, intervention, education, and evaluation.
• Perform respiratory care procedures, including oxygen and aerosolized medication delivery, ventilator care, bronchial hygiene therapy, and diagnostic services.
• Monitor patient responses to therapies and recommend changes or modifications based on assessment.
• May serve as shift Charge Therapist, ensuring adequate staff coverage, assigning and modifying work assignments, assisting with meal coverage, handling call-offs, and supporting staffing for the next shift.
• May assist physicians with procedures such as bronchoscopy, transtracheal catheter insertion, tracheotomy intubation where respiratory therapy performs intubation, tracheostomy and endotracheal tube changes, and invasive monitoring.
• Perform CPR, including closed chest compressions and airway management, in accordance with AHA ACLS protocol.
• Conduct procedures to maintain a patient airway, including airway placement and maintenance, humidification, secretion aspiration, extubation, ETT cuff-pressure maintenance, and documentation.
• Select, assemble, monitor, and evaluate mechanical ventilators; correct malfunctions, maintain cleanliness, and determine suitability for the patient's condition.
• May perform pulmonary function tests.
• Precept new team members and/or students.
• Assess patients using inspection, palpation, auscultation, percussion, observation of behavior, and review of medical records.
• Perform ordered treatments, explain therapy 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, 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 levels and accurate inspired oxygen levels.
• Administer IPPB or aerosol therapy, prepare prescribed medications, adjust equipment to patient needs, document and observe vital signs and treatment response, identify adverse reactions, and use clinical judgment to recommend appropriate therapy.
• Perform postural drainage, vibration, and percussion; review orders and X-rays, and assess before and after treatment for secretion clearance and response.
• Instruct patients and families in incentive spirometry, MDI administration, postural drainage and clapping, oxygen therapy, ventilator care, and home aerosol therapy.
• Obtain sputum specimens or promote airway clearance through coaching, mucolytics, aerosol therapy, or endotracheal/nasopharyngeal suctioning.
• Evaluate normal and abnormal blood and urine laboratory values.
• Perform arterial punctures and analysis, including interpretation of arterial blood gases.
• Perform arterial line procedures using safety and sterile techniques, including flushing and ABG aspiration.
• May perform EKGs and apply knowledge of electronic monitoring, lead placement, and basic arrhythmias.
• Maintain respiratory therapy equipment and supplies.
• Respond to cardiopulmonary resuscitations and participate as indicated by clinical circumstances.

Benefits

• Competitive pay, incentives, referral bonuses, and 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

• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed