Respiratory Care Practitioner II PRN - West Hospital

Mercy Health • Cincinnati, OH

15d • 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 such as oxygen and aerosolized medication delivery, ventilator care, bronchial hygiene therapy, diagnostic services, and patient and staff education. They monitor patient responses to therapy and recommend changes or modifications based on assessment. The position may also involve serving as a shift Charge Therapist, assisting physicians with procedures, precepting team members or students, and responding to cardiopulmonary resuscitations.

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.
• 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.
• Two years of experience as a Respiratory Care Professional.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to interact effectively with patients, families, physicians, and other 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 or end-tidal CO2 analyzers.
• Knowledge and ability in 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 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 training.

Responsibilities

• May serve as shift Charge Therapist, ensuring adequate staffing coverage, assigning and modifying work assignments, assisting with meal coverage, fielding call-offs, and helping ensure adequate staffing for the next shift.
• May assist physicians with procedures such as bronchoscopy, transtracheal catheter insertion, tracheotomy intubation where performed by respiratory therapy, tracheostomy and endotracheal tube changes, and invasive monitoring.
• Perform CPR, including closed-chest compressions and airway management, in accordance with AHA ACLS protocol.
• Maintain patient airways using appropriate airway devices; provide humidification, secretion aspiration and extubation; maintain correct endotracheal tube cuff pressures; and document procedures.
• Select, assemble, monitor, and evaluate mechanical ventilators, correct malfunctions, maintain cleanliness, and assess suitability for patient condition.
• May perform pulmonary function tests.
• Serve as a preceptor to new team members and/or students.
• Assess patients through inspection, palpation, auscultation, percussion, observation of behavior, and review of medical records.
• Perform ordered treatments, explain therapies and goals to patients, and modify procedures based on patient response.
• Evaluate prescribed therapies and recommend methods to physicians for achieving 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 achieve adequate PaO2 levels with accurate inspired oxygen concentrations.
• Administer IPPB and aerosol therapy, prepare prescribed medications, adjust equipment to individual clinical needs, document and observe patient responses, and identify adverse reactions or concerns about therapy appropriateness.
• Provide postural drainage, vibration, and percussion; review orders and X-rays before treatment; and assess secretion clearance and response through auscultation before and after procedures.
• Instruct patients and families in incentive spirometry, metered-dose inhaler use, 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/nasopharyngeal suctioning.
• Evaluate normal and pathologic blood and urine laboratory value ranges.
• Perform arterial punctures and analyses, interpret arterial blood gases, and 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