Respiratory Care Practitioner III - Southern Virginia Regional Medical Center - PRN

Bon Secours Mercy Health • Emporia, VA

7d • $33 - $52

About The Position

The Respiratory Care Practitioner III provides respiratory care through patient assessment, planning, intervention, education, and evaluation. The practitioner performs respiratory care procedures including oxygen and aerosolized medication delivery, ventilator care, bronchial hygiene therapy, diagnostic services, and patient and staff education. They monitor patients’ responses to therapy and recommend changes based on their assessments.

The role includes clinical leadership, staff and student education, mentorship, precepting, quality improvement, research participation, and serving as shift Charge Therapist. The practitioner also performs a range of direct-care procedures, maintains respiratory equipment and supplies, and responds to cardiopulmonary resuscitations. The position is PRN in the Respiratory Therapy department at Virginia Regional Medical Center in Emporia, Virginia.

Requirements

• Current respiratory care license in the state of employment.
• National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) credentialing.
• Current BLS Basic Life Support certification from the American Heart Association.
• Current ACLS Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification from the American Heart Association or Red Cross.
• Current 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 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 and end-tidal CO2 analyzers.
• Knowledge of 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 of bedside pulmonary function testing, patient assessment and 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.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Provide respiratory care through patient assessment, planning, intervention, education, and evaluation.
• Perform respiratory 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 and in-service training to department staff, healthcare team members, and students.
• Mentor colleagues, participate in clinical rounds and practice evaluation, and provide clinical leadership to respiratory staff across intensive care, general care, and outpatient services.
• Provide feedback for coaching and performance evaluations of team members.
• Help identify quality improvement initiatives, design programs with measurable outcomes, and lead clinical research initiatives, including education, training, and implementation of study designs.
• Collect data and maintain accurate records; evaluate products as needed.
• Participate in facility councils and committees.
• Serve as shift Charge Therapist, ensuring adequate staffing, assigning or modifying work areas and assignments, assisting with meal coverage, handling 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, closed chest compressions, and airway management in accordance with AHA ACLS protocol.
• Maintain patient airways using appropriate devices and procedures, including airway humidification, secretion aspiration, extubation, ETT cuff-pressure maintenance, and documentation.
• Select, assemble, monitor, and evaluate mechanical ventilators; correct malfunctions, maintain cleanliness, and determine suitability for patient condition.
• Perform pulmonary function tests when needed.
• Precept new team members and students.
• Assess patients using inspection, palpation, auscultation, percussion, observation of behavior, and review of existing 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 to achieve therapeutic goals, including IPPB, aerosol therapy, postural drainage and percussion, nebulizer therapy, incentive spirometry, and metered-dose inhalers with spacers.
• Set up and maintain oxygen-therapy modalities to achieve adequate PaO2 with accurate inspired oxygen levels.
• Administer IPPB or aerosol therapy, prepare prescribed medications, adjust devices to individual clinical needs, monitor and document patient status and response, and identify possible adverse reactions or therapy concerns.
• Perform 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 incentive spirometry, MDI use, 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 suctioning.
• Evaluate normal and pathologic blood and urine laboratory value ranges.
• Perform arterial punctures and analysis, interpret ABGs, and perform arterial-line procedures with appropriate safety, sterile technique, flushing, and aspiration practices.
• Perform EKGs when needed 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.
• Perform other job-related duties as required by the supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodation.

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. Benefits may vary based on market and employment status.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed