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

Mercy Health BSMH•Youngstown, OH

1d•Onsite

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 licensure. The practitioner monitors patient responses and recommends changes to therapy as appropriate. The position also provides clinical leadership, supports staff development, and helps identify quality improvement initiatives across intensive care, general care, and outpatient services. Working collaboratively with the interdisciplinary care team, the practitioner assesses patients, develops and implements plans of care, and evaluates treatment effectiveness. The role includes performing and adjusting ordered therapies, determining whether prescribed therapy is appropriate, and recommending methods to physicians to achieve therapeutic goals. The practitioner educates patients and caregivers about cardiopulmonary conditions and treatments, maintains documentation and safety standards, and sets up and maintains respiratory equipment and supplies. The practitioner may provide mentorship, clinical instruction, in-service training, and feedback for staff evaluations; support clinical research and quality improvement; participate in councils and committees; and serve as shift Charge Therapist, coordinating assignments and staffing coverage. The role responds to cardiopulmonary resuscitations and may serve as a preceptor for new team members or students. The position requires competency in care across the patient populations served by the facility, from neonates through geriatrics. Work may involve high stress and fluctuating workloads, interruptions, exposure to noise, bright lights, physical or verbal altercations, hazardous substances, body fluids, blood, and other potentially infectious materials. Universal precautions and 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 these environments: Nursery/NICU, PICU, ICU/CCU, ED, or general care areas (required).
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to interact effectively with patients, families, physicians, and other staff members.
Good communication, organizational, time management, oral, and written communication skills.
Ability to work effectively with diverse people, provide good customer service, 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 or ability to perform arterial blood gas punctures and testing, airway maneuvers, bedside pulmonary function, patient assessment, and patient education.
Knowledge of chest suction equipment and chest X-ray interpretation.
Bachelor's degree in a related field (preferred).
Master's degree in a related field (preferred).

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide respiratory care through patient assessment, planning, intervention, education, and evaluation.
Perform respiratory care procedures within the scope of licensure and monitor patient responses to therapy.
Recommend changes or modifications to therapy based on patient assessment and response.
Provide clinical leadership, mentorship, clinical rounds, practice evaluation, and support for professional respiratory practice.
Provide feedback for coaching and performance evaluations of team members.
Provide clinical instruction or in-service training to department staff, healthcare team members, and students as needed.
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 needed.
Participate in facility councils and committees.
May serve as shift Charge Therapist, coordinating staffing coverage, work assignments, meal coverage, call-offs, and staffing for the next shift.
Serve as a preceptor to new team members or students.
Collaborate with the interdisciplinary care team to assess patients, analyze data, create plans of care, implement treatment, and evaluate effectiveness.
Perform therapies according to physician orders and explain therapies and goals to patients.
Modify treatment procedures based on patient response and set up and maintain different modes of therapy.
Determine whether prescribed therapy is appropriate and recommend methods to physicians to achieve therapeutic goals.
Maintain patient documentation, medical charting, and records, and follow policies, quality assurance, safety, environmental, and infection control standards.
Educate patients about cardiopulmonary diseases, disorders, and treatment options.
Instruct patients and caregivers in incentive spirometry, MDI administration, oxygen therapy, home aerosol therapy, or ventilator care when applicable.
Set up and maintain respiratory therapy equipment and supplies.
Respond to cardiopulmonary resuscitations and participate as indicated by clinical circumstances.
Use universal precautions and personal protective equipment and follow infection control policies.

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.
Parental and FMLA leave.
Short- and long-term disability.
Backup care for children and elders.
Professional development and continuing education support.