Respiratory Care Practitioner II - Anderson Hospital

Mercy Health•Cincinnati, OH

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Respiratory Care Practitioner II 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, 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, assist physicians with procedures, perform CPR and airway management, and respond to cardiopulmonary resuscitations. Responsibilities also include maintaining respiratory equipment and supplies, educating patients and families, and documenting procedures and patient responses. This position is at Anderson Hospital and is scheduled for 30 hours per week on the night shift.

Requirements

Two years of experience as a Respiratory Care Professional.
Current Respiratory Care License in the state where working.
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 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 and 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.
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.
Valid driver's license for Home Care/DME roles.

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 respiratory care staffing, assigning or modifying work assignments, assisting with meal coverage, handling call-offs, and coordinating staffing for the next shift.
May assist physicians with procedures such as bronchoscopy, transtracheal catheter insertion, tracheotomy intubation where applicable, tracheostomy or endotracheal tube changes, and invasive monitoring.
Perform CPR, closed chest compressions, and airway management in accordance with AHA ACLS protocol.
Maintain patient airways using appropriate airway devices; provide humidification, suction secretions, extubate, maintain appropriate endotracheal tube cuff pressures, and document procedures.
Select, assemble, monitor, and evaluate mechanical ventilators; address malfunctions, cleanliness, and appropriateness for the patient's condition.
May perform pulmonary function tests.
Serve as a preceptor to 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.
Assess whether prescribed therapy is appropriate and recommend methods to physicians to achieve therapeutic goals.
Set up and maintain oxygen therapy modes to support adequate oxygenation at accurate inspired oxygen levels.
Administer IPPB or aerosol therapy, prepare prescribed medication, adjust equipment to individual clinical needs, monitor and document patient status and response, and identify potential adverse reactions.
Provide postural drainage, vibration, and percussion; review orders and X-rays, and assess patients before and after treatment.
Instruct patients and families in incentive spirometry, MDI use, postural drainage and clapping, oxygen therapy, ventilator care, and home aerosol therapy.
Obtain sputum specimens or assist airway clearance through coaching, mucolytics, aerosol therapy, or endotracheal/nasopharyngeal suctioning.
Evaluate normal and pathologic blood and urine laboratory value ranges.
Perform arterial punctures and analysis; interpret ABGs and perform arterial-line procedures using appropriate safety and sterile techniques.
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.