Respiratory Care Practitioner III - Respiratory Therapy - St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital

Mercy Health•Youngstown, OH

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Respiratory Care Practitioner III provides respiratory care through patient assessment, care planning, intervention, education, and evaluation. The practitioner performs respiratory care procedures within the scope of their license, monitors patient responses to therapy, and recommends changes based on assessment. The role also provides clinical leadership and helps identify quality improvement initiatives. The practitioner supports clinical learning and professional practice through mentorship, clinical rounds, practice evaluation, coaching feedback, clinical instruction, and in-service training. They may lead quality improvement and clinical research initiatives, participate in facility councils and committees, and serve as shift Charge Therapist or preceptor. In collaboration with the interdisciplinary care team, they assess patients, develop and implement plans of care, evaluate treatment effectiveness, and perform ordered therapies. They educate patients and caregivers, maintain documentation and safety standards, set up and maintain respiratory equipment, and respond to cardiopulmonary resuscitations. This is a full-time position scheduled for 40 hours per week, with day/evening shifts and rotating weekends and holidays. The position is based at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital. Work may involve high stress and fluctuating workloads, physical altercations or verbal abuse, high noise levels and bright lights, limited hazardous substances or body fluids, infectious materials, and frequent interruptions. Universal precautions and personal protective equipment are required.

Requirements

Current respiratory care license in the state where the employee works.
National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) credential.
Two years of experience as a Respiratory Care Professional.
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 other staff.
Good communication, customer service, organizational, and time-management skills, including 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.
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.
Must obtain BLS, ACLS, and PALS from an approved source before providing direct patient care if not already held at hire.

Nice To Haves

Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential.
BLS, ACLS, and PALS certification preferred at hire.
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 from 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

Assess patients, analyze assessment data, create and implement plans of care, and evaluate treatment effectiveness in collaboration with the interdisciplinary care team.
Perform respiratory treatments and therapies according to physician orders, explain therapies and goals, modify procedures based on patient response, and recommend methods to physicians when appropriate.
Monitor patient responses to therapy and recommend changes or modifications based on assessment.
Provide clinical leadership, mentorship, clinical rounds, practice evaluation, coaching feedback, and support for professional respiratory practice.
Provide clinical instruction or in-service training to department staff, other healthcare team members, and students.
Help identify quality improvement initiatives and 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.
May serve as shift Charge Therapist, helping ensure staffing coverage, assign work areas and assignments, modify assignments, assist with meal coverage, handle call-offs, and plan staffing for the next shift.
Serve as a preceptor to new team members and/or students.
Maintain documentation, patient charting, and records, and follow policies, procedures, quality assurance, safety, environmental, and infection control standards.
Educate patients and caregivers about cardiopulmonary conditions and treatment options, including use of incentive spirometers, metered-dose inhalers, oxygen therapy, home aerosol therapy, or ventilator care as applicable.
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 experience as a Respiratory Therapist.
$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.
Tuition assistance for continued career growth.
Competitive pay and incentives.
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 leave, and FMLA leave.
Short- and long-term disability.
Backup care for children and elders.
Professional development and continuing education support.