Respiratory Care Practitioner III - Southern Virginia Regional Medical Center

Bon Secours Health System • Emporia, VA

4d • $33 - $52 • Onsite

About The Position

The Respiratory Care Practitioner III 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 patient responses and recommends therapy changes based on assessment.

The position provides clinical leadership and may instruct and mentor staff, healthcare team members, and students; serve as a preceptor; contribute to coaching and performance evaluations; and support quality improvement and clinical research initiatives. It may also serve as the shift Charge Therapist, helping ensure appropriate staffing and assignments across patient care areas.

Clinical duties include airway management, CPR and resuscitation, ventilator setup and monitoring, therapeutic procedures, patient and family education, arterial punctures and blood gas analysis, and maintenance of respiratory equipment. The practitioner may assist physicians with procedures and may perform pulmonary function tests and EKGs. This description is not exhaustive, and other job-related duties may be assigned.

Requirements

• Current respiratory care license in the state of employment.
• National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) credential.
• Two years of experience as a Registered Respiratory Therapist or five years as a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT).
• Demonstrated clinical competency in at least two of the following environments: Nursery/NICU, PICU, ICU/CCU, ED, and general care areas.
• 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 or end-tidal CO2 analyzers.
• Ability to perform 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.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree related to respiratory therapy, healthcare, healthcare administration, or business administration.
• Master's degree related to 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.

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 therapy and recommend changes or modifications based on assessment.
• Provide clinical instruction or in-service training to department staff, healthcare team members, and students.
• Support clinical learning through mentorship, clinical rounds, and practice evaluation; provide clinical leadership to respiratory care staff.
• Provide feedback for team member coaching and performance evaluations.
• Help identify quality improvement initiatives and design programs with measurable outcomes.
• Lead clinical research initiatives and support education, training, and implementation of study designs.
• Collect data, maintain accurate records, and evaluate products as needed.
• Participate in facility councils and committees.
• Serve as shift Charge Therapist, ensuring adequate respiratory care staffing, assigning or modifying work assignments, assisting with meal coverage, responding to call-offs, and supporting staffing for the next shift.
• Assist physicians with procedures such as bronchoscopy, transtracheal catheter insertion, tracheotomy, intubation where performed by respiratory therapy, and invasive monitoring, as needed.
• Perform CPR, closed chest compressions, and airway management in accordance with AHA ACLS protocol.
• Maintain patient airways using appropriate airway devices; humidify airways, suction secretions, extubate, maintain correct endotracheal tube cuff pressures, and document procedures.
• Select, assemble, monitor, and evaluate mechanical ventilators; address malfunctions and cleanliness and determine suitability for the patient's condition.
• Perform pulmonary function tests, as needed.
• 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 therapies and goals to patients, and modify procedures based on patient response.
• Evaluate 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 and accurate inspired oxygen levels.
• Administer IPPB and aerosol therapy; prepare medications, adjust equipment to the patient's needs, document and observe vital signs and treatment response, and identify adverse reactions or concerns about therapy appropriateness.
• Provide postural drainage, vibration, and percussion; review orders and X-rays, and assess secretion clearance and response before and after treatment.
• Instruct patients and families in use of incentive spirometers, metered-dose inhalers, postural drainage and clapping, oxygen therapy, ventilator care, and home aerosol therapy.
• Obtain sputum for culture and sensitivity or 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 arterial blood gases, and perform arterial line procedures using safety precautions and sterile technique, including flushing and ABG aspiration.
• Perform EKGs as needed and understand 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.
• Potential sign-on bonus of $5,000 for new graduates or $15,000 for candidates with at least one year of experience, subject to rules and restrictions; internal associates are not eligible.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed