Respiratory Care Practitioner III

Kaiser Permanente • Downey, CA

83d

About The Position

Assesses, plans, implements and evaluates respiratory therapy care and life support to patients in all areas of the medical center, including neonatal intensive care who have deficiencies and abnormalities of the cardiopulmonary system under the supervision of physician and prescription. Performs other patient comfort duties necessary to maintain the flow of patient care in the unit.

Requirements

• One (1) year of recent NICU experience within the past 12 months.
• Graduate of an approved 2 year Respiratory Care program accredited by the Respiratory Care Accrediting Board (RCAB) or Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).
• Respiratory Care Practitioner License (California) from National Board of Respiratory Care.
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program.
• Registered Respiratory Therapist Certificate.
• Basic Life Support.

Nice To Haves

• Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT) or Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT) from the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC).
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support Certification (PALS).
• S.T.A.B.L.E. Certification.
• Two (2) years recent experience in the Neonatal intensive Care Unit in the past 24 months.

Responsibilities

• Upholds Kaiser Permanentes Policies and Procedures, Principles of Responsibilities and applicable state, federal and local laws.
• Applies philosophy and demonstrates knowledge of the Patient Bill of Rights.
• Treats members, coworkers, and individual employees with respect and dignity.
• Maintains the privacy and confidentiality of both members and employees with regard to medical records and communication regarding disease, conditions, and status.
• Greet members promptly and courteously, addresses adult members by their proper title.
• Adheres to regional and department guidelines for courtesy and consideration during telephone use.
• Determines and documents the following information upon taking a phone call: name of patient, phone number where patient can be reached, the reason for the call, date and time of the call and name of the person taking the call.
• Gives immediately to the requested provider or designee all messages of an emergency or urgent nature.
• Demonstrates knowledge, application, competency, and assessment skills for all specific patient/member age categories; neonatal, pediatric, and adult.
• Demonstrates proficiency in providing direct/indirect care and service to patient/member groups.
• Participates in patient care rounds as an active member of the critical care team.
• Evaluates and can state data obtained from respiratory monitoring devices on assigned patients.
• Evaluates patients response to all respiratory care provided and appropriately documents required information.
• Determines appropriateness and provides recommendations for respiratory care services.
• Initiates new routine orders within time specified in department policies and procedures.
• Measures and adjusts airway cuff pressures.
• Recommends changes in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures to physicians, nursing, and/or co-workers.
• Utilizes appropriate chain-of-command when consulting on patients not responding to standard therapeutic procedures.
• Performs respiratory diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
• Verbalizes mechanisms of action, dosage, contraindications, and adverse reactions for all medications upon request.
• Obtains approval prior to administering any medications not included on the approved medication list.
• Provides ventilatory support during patient inter-intra hospital transfers.
• Performs procedures for disinfecting and sterilization and adheres to infection control policies and procedures.
• Practices Universal Precautions at all times.
• Performs and evaluates blood gas analysis to include quality control procedures adhering to laboratory policies and procedures.
• Documents and reports critical blood gas values to nurse/physician.
• Performs analyzer maintenance and quality controls as qualified.
• Performs cardiopulmonary and neonatal resuscitation (CPR/NR) and responds to emergencies in all areas.
• Auscultates lungs to assure proper endotracheal tube placement.
• Identifies contraindications in regards to chest physiotherapy and appropriately informs and provides recommendations to the physician.
• Performs oral, nasal, and tracheal suctioning to ensure airway patency.
• Collaborates with the physician and nursing in regards to the appropriate frequency of suctioning for assigned patients.
• Provides reasonable solutions upon the identification of problems.
• Participates in-group action problem solving processes.
• Complies with patient safety practices/policies.
• Provides timely, accurate, legible record keeping and data entries per departmental policy and procedure.
• Enters required information into the Respiratory Cares department system for recording statistical data related to procedures performed, workload and staffing.
• Assumes responsibility for all required Respiratory Care documentation on all assigned patients.
• Effectively utilizes equipment and supplies.
• Demonstrates the ability to setup, operate, troubleshoot, and perform corrective action based upon department policies and procedures.
• Maintains inventory level of respiratory care equipment and supplies as assigned.
• Maintains department productivity standards.
• Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability by accepting new ideas and supporting changes in the department and hospital/clinic.
• Utilizes effective listening, verbal, nonverbal and writing skills formally and informally.
• Participates in training and orientation of new employees as required.
• Participates in and provides patient education, within the department and medical center.

What This Job Offers