Weekend Option Respiratory Care Practitioner III - Fairfield Hospital

Mercy Health BSMH•Fairfield, OH

5h•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, including oxygen and aerosolized medication delivery, ventilator care, bronchial hygiene therapy, and diagnostic services; educates patients and staff; monitors patient responses; and recommends therapy changes based on assessments. The practitioner may provide clinical instruction and in-service training, mentor staff and students, support clinical learning and professional practice, contribute to performance feedback and quality improvement, and lead clinical research initiatives. The role may serve as shift Charge Therapist, coordinating respiratory staffing and assignments, and may assist physicians with procedures. Clinical duties also include airway management, CPR, ventilator selection and monitoring, pulmonary function testing, patient assessment and education, blood gas procedures, and maintaining respiratory equipment and supplies.

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 Registered Respiratory Therapist or five years as a 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; good oral and written communication.
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 and airway maneuvers.
Knowledge or ability in bedside pulmonary function, patient assessment, patient education, chest suction equipment, and chest X-ray interpretation.

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 and recommend therapy changes as appropriate.
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, and provide clinical leadership to advance respiratory practice.
Provide feedback for coaching and performance evaluations of team members.
Help identify quality improvement initiatives and develop programs with measurable outcomes; lead clinical research initiatives and support study education, training, and implementation.
Collect data, maintain accurate records, and evaluate products as assigned.
Participate in facility councils and committees.
Serve as shift Charge Therapist, ensuring adequate 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.
Perform CPR, including closed-chest compressions and airway management, according to AHA ACLS protocol.
Maintain patient airways using appropriate devices and procedures; manage humidification and secretions, extubate when indicated, maintain appropriate endotracheal tube cuff pressures, and document procedures.
Select, assemble, monitor, and evaluate mechanical ventilators; correct malfunctions and assess cleanliness and suitability for the patient's condition.
Perform pulmonary function tests when assigned.
Serve as a preceptor to new team members or students.
Assess patients through inspection, palpation, auscultation, percussion, observation of behavior, and review of patient records.
Perform physician-ordered treatments, explain therapies and goals to patients, and modify procedures based on patient response.
Assess the appropriateness of prescribed therapy 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 medications, adjust equipment to patient needs, document and observe patient responses and vital signs, and identify adverse reactions or therapy concerns.
Provide postural drainage, vibration, and percussion; review orders and X-rays, and assess secretion clearance and response before and after treatment.
Educate patients and families about 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 or nasopharyngeal suctioning.
Evaluate normal and pathological blood and urine laboratory value ranges.
Perform arterial punctures and analysis, interpret arterial blood gases, and perform arterial line procedures using safety and sterile techniques, including flushing and ABG aspiration.
Perform EKGs when assigned 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, and referral bonuses.
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.
Backup care for children and elders.
Tuition assistance.
Professional development and continuing education support. Benefits may vary based on market and employment status.