Respiratory Care Practitioner III - Respiratory Therapy - Lorain Hospital

Mercy Health•Lorain, OH

About The Position

The Respiratory Care Practitioner III provides respiratory care through patient assessment, planning, intervention, education, and evaluation, performing procedures within the scope of their license. The practitioner monitors patient responses to therapy and recommends changes based on assessment. The role also provides clinical leadership, supports staff development, and helps identify and lead quality improvement initiatives. Working with the interdisciplinary care team, the practitioner assesses patients, develops and implements plans of care, performs physician-ordered treatments, evaluates treatment effectiveness, and recommends appropriate therapy. The position includes patient and caregiver education, equipment setup and maintenance, accurate documentation, adherence to safety and infection-control standards, and participation in cardiopulmonary resuscitations as indicated. The practitioner may serve as a shift Charge Therapist, helping ensure appropriate staffing and coverage, assigning work, addressing call-offs, and supporting the next shift. Other leadership duties include mentoring and precepting staff and students, participating in clinical rounds and evaluations, providing training, contributing to facility councils and committees, and supporting clinical research and quality improvement programs. This is a full-time role scheduled for 40 hours per week, with day and night shifts and rotating weekends and holidays. The work may involve high stress and fluctuating workloads, interruptions, noise, bright lights, physical altercations or verbal abuse, and exposure to hazardous substances, body fluids, blood, or other potentially infectious materials. Universal precautions and appropriate personal protective equipment are required.

Requirements

Current respiratory care license in the state of employment (required).
National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) credential (required).
Two years of experience as a Respiratory Care Professional (required).
Competency in at least two of the following environments: Nursery/NICU, PICU, ICU/CCU, ED, and general care areas (required).
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to interact effectively with patients, families, physicians, and staff.
Good communication skills, including oral and written communication.
Ability to work effectively with diverse people.
Good customer service, organizational, and time-management skills.
Ability to receive feedback, gather and interpret data, and demonstrate accountability.
Knowledge of non-invasive respiratory therapy equipment such as oximeters or 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.
Knowledge of arterial blood gas punctures and testing, airway maneuvers, bedside pulmonary function, patient assessment and education, chest suction equipment, and chest X-ray interpretation.
Exercise universal precautions, use personal protective equipment and devices, and learn infection-control policies.

Nice To Haves

Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential.
BLS, ACLS, and PALS certifications preferred at hire; must be obtained from an approved source before providing direct patient care.
Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification through AAP/AWHONN.
Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT) credential.
Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT) credential.
Adult Critical Care Specialist (ACCS) credential through NBRC.
Bachelor's degree in a related field.
Master's degree in a related field.
EPIC Electronic Health Record (EHR) training.
Valid driver's license for Home Care/DME roles.

Responsibilities

Provide respiratory care through patient assessment, care planning, intervention, education, and evaluation.
Perform respiratory care procedures within the scope of the applicable license and monitor patient responses to therapy.
Recommend changes or modifications to therapies based on patient assessment and response.
Provide clinical leadership and support learning through mentorship, clinical rounds, practice evaluation, coaching, and performance feedback.
Provide or assist with clinical instruction and in-service training for department staff, other healthcare team members, and students.
Identify quality improvement initiatives and help design programs with measurable outcomes.
Lead clinical research initiatives and support study education, training, implementation, data collection, recordkeeping, and product evaluation as applicable.
Participate in facility councils and committees.
As Charge Therapist, help ensure adequate staffing and patient-care coverage, assign staff and work, modify assignments, assist with meal coverage, address call-offs, and help maintain staffing for the next shift.
Serve as a preceptor to new team members and/or students.
Collaborate with the interdisciplinary care team to conduct initial and ongoing assessments, analyze data, develop plans of care, implement treatment, and evaluate effectiveness.
Perform treatments and therapies according to physician orders; explain therapies and goals to patients and modify procedures based on patient response.
Set up and maintain therapy modes and determine whether prescribed therapy is appropriate; recommend methods to physicians to achieve therapeutic goals.
Maintain documentation, patient charting, and records, and follow policies, procedures, quality assurance, safety, environmental, and infection-control standards.
Educate patients about cardiopulmonary diseases, disorders, and treatment options; instruct patients and caregivers in applicable respiratory care techniques and equipment.
Set up and maintain respiratory therapy equipment and supplies.
Respond to cardiopulmonary resuscitations and participate as indicated by clinical circumstances.

Benefits

$8,000 sign-on bonus for experienced full-time new hires with at least one year of respiratory therapist experience.
$5,000 sign-on bonus for new graduate full-time new hires.
Referral bonus incentive programs.
Competitive paid time off accrual.
Health benefits through UMR; broader listed offerings include medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage.
Competitive tuition assistance and continuing education support.
403(b) with employer contributions when eligible.
HSA/FSA options.
Life insurance.
Mental health resources and discounts.
Parental and FMLA leave.
Short- and long-term disability.
Backup care for children and elders.
Professional development support.
Competitive pay and incentives.