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

Bon Secours Mercy Health • Emporia, VA

7d • $33 - $52 • Onsite

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, and diagnostic services; educates patients and staff; monitors patient responses; and recommends changes to therapy based on assessment.

The role provides clinical leadership and support for respiratory practice across intensive care, general care, and outpatient services. It may include staff instruction, mentorship, precepting, performance feedback, quality improvement and research initiatives, committee participation, and charge therapist duties such as coordinating staffing and assignments. The practitioner also performs or assists with airway management, resuscitation, therapeutic procedures, testing, equipment maintenance, and patient and family education.

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.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse people, receive feedback, gather and interpret data, and demonstrate accountability.
• Knowledge of non-invasive respiratory 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, 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.
• 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 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 and in-service training to staff, healthcare team members, and students.
• Support clinical learning through mentorship, clinical rounds, and practice evaluation, and provide clinical leadership for respiratory practice.
• Provide feedback for coaching and performance evaluations of team members.
• Help identify quality improvement initiatives and design programs with measurable outcomes; lead clinical research initiatives as assigned.
• Collect data, maintain accurate records, and evaluate products as assigned.
• Participate in facility councils and committees.
• Serve as shift Charge Therapist, coordinating staffing, work areas, assignments, meal coverage, call-offs, and coverage 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, in accordance with AHA ACLS protocol.
• Maintain patient airways using appropriate airway devices; humidify airways, aspirate secretions, extubate, maintain correct endotracheal tube cuff pressures, and document procedures.
• Select, assemble, monitor, and evaluate mechanical ventilators; correct malfunctions, maintain cleanliness, and assess appropriateness for patient condition.
• Perform pulmonary function tests when assigned.
• Serve as a preceptor to new team members and students.
• Assess patients using inspection, palpation, auscultation, percussion, observation of behavior, and review of patient records.
• Perform ordered treatments, explain therapy and therapeutic goals, and modify procedures based on patient response.
• Assess prescribed therapies and recommend methods to physicians to achieve therapeutic goals, including IPPB, aerosol therapy, postural drainage and percussion, 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 prescribed medication, adjust devices to individual patient needs, monitor and document vital signs and treatment response, and identify adverse reactions.
• Perform postural drainage, vibration, and percussion; review orders and X-rays, and assess before and after treatment.
• Instruct patients and families in incentive spirometry, MDI administration, postural drainage and clapping, oxygen therapy, ventilator care, and home aerosol therapy.
• Obtain sputum specimens or assist with airway clearance through coaching, mucolytics, aerosol therapy, or suctioning.
• Evaluate normal and pathologic blood and urine laboratory values.
• Perform arterial punctures and analysis; interpret ABGs; and perform arterial line procedures using safety and sterile techniques.
• Perform EKGs as assigned and understand electronic monitoring, lead placement, and basic arrhythmias.
• Maintain respiratory therapy equipment and supplies.
• Respond to cardiopulmonary resuscitations and participate as clinical circumstances indicate.

Benefits

• Competitive pay, incentives, referral bonuses, and a 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.

What This Job Offers

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