About the position
At Houston Methodist, the Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) position is responsible for performing routine respiratory care procedures as assigned, varying in complexity which include, but are not limited to, preparation, administration and monitoring of medication and treatment modalities and gas therapy, ventilator support, spirometry and assistance with bronchoscopy. This position may perform diagnostic testing of the cardiac respiratory system, as appropriate. As a member of the direct patient care team, the RCP position provides direct assistance to physicians and other care health professionals, with respiratory care-related procedures within the scope of the professional licensure. This position delivers exceptional patient care and adheres to standards and guidelines established by respiratory and regulatory agencies and Houston Methodist to ensure optimal patient safety and customer service.
Responsibilities
- Promotes a positive work environment and contributes to a dynamic, team focused work unit that actively helps one other to achieve optimal department results.
- Collaborates with all members of the inter-professional team by using progressive skills in therapeutic communication and reporting pertinent patient care information and data in a comprehensive manner.
- Serves as a patient advocate in preventing/resolving ethical issues.
- Facilitates interventions to relieve the patient's/family spiritual distress.
- Performs respiratory care to include but not limited to: arterial blood gas and analysis, pulse oximetry, spirometry and flow volume loops, lung volume determination, airway resistance measurement, breath diffusion capacity, bronchoprovocation testing, maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures, bronchodilator administration, diagnostic radiology procedures.
- Prepares, administers and monitors treatment modalities and medication delivery.
- Implements, monitors and evaluates ventilator support.
- Performs other procedures and tests as needed and if assigned, such as Electrocardiograms, Holter's, and Arterial Blood Gas.
- Provides care for the physical needs of patients by executing various respiratory care concepts to maximize performance.
- Modifies technical factors to achieve desired results and recognizes complications / limitations associated with certain procedures.
- Troubleshoots, calibrates and performs preventive maintenance and quality control on all equipment and analyzers per department guidelines.
- Accurately documents all patient care and respiratory-related activities and procedures in the appropriate documentation system.
- Participates in practice projects focused on innovation, efficiency or improvement in patient care and activities.
Requirements
- Graduate of education program approved by the credentialing body for the required credential(s).
- One year experience as a Respiratory Care Practitioner preferred.
- RRT - Registered Respiratory Therapist (NBRC).
- RCP - Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner - State Licensure.
- BLS - Basic Life Support (AHA).
- ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support (AHA).
Nice-to-haves
- PALS - Pediatric Advanced Life Support (AHA) depending on area assigned.
- NRP - Neonatal Resuscitation (AHA,AAP) depending on area assigned.
