Respiratory Care Practitioner - FT - Night Shift

ECMC•Buffalo, NY

About The Position

The Respiratory Care Practitioner administers respiratory care services to patients with pulmonary and cardiac diseases and other respiratory complications at Erie County Medical Center Corporation. The practitioner sets up and operates respiratory equipment and administers respiratory therapy with the concurrence of a qualified physician. Work is performed under the general supervision of higher-level professional and medical staff. A license holder directly supervises permit holders when applicable. The position also performs related work as required. The practitioner delivers patient care in accordance with provider orders and applicable standards, policies, and procedures. Duties include managing airways, providing respiratory treatments and support, assessing patients, operating and maintaining equipment, documenting care, responding to emergencies, and supporting patient education and discharge planning. The role also includes transporting critically ill patients on mechanical ventilation, assisting in the operating room, and providing clinical education to respiratory care students.

Requirements

Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State-registered college or university with an associate degree or higher in Respiratory Therapy or a closely related field.
Eligibility for licensure or a limited permit to practice as a Respiratory Care Practitioner at the time of application.
Possession of a New York State license or limited permit to practice Respiratory Therapy at the time of appointment, maintained throughout the appointment.
Possession of the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential issued by the NBRC within 12 months of appointment, maintained throughout the appointment. Permanent employees hired before October 26, 2016, who maintain a CRT credential but not an RRT credential remain qualified for the title.
Possession of Basic Life Support (BLS) certification at the time of application, maintained throughout the appointment.
Thorough knowledge of respiratory therapy principles, practices, equipment, and terminology.
Good knowledge of applicable laws, rules, regulations, accreditation standards, and ECMCC policies and procedures.
Skill in the safe operation and maintenance of respiratory care equipment used at ECMCC.
Ability to observe and record patient health status as it relates to respiratory therapy care.
Ability to educate patients on home respiratory care practices.
Ability to evaluate patient health status, determine treatment needs, and administer appropriate respiratory therapy care.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse constituency; and use a variety of electronic software applications.
Sound professional judgment and ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Responsibilities

Perform patient care activities in compliance with provider orders and applicable work standards, policies, and procedures.
Set up, operate, clean, and store respiratory equipment.
Record clinical and technical information for patients receiving respiratory care in the patient record.
Manage artificial and natural airways, including assessment and care of tracheostomy sites, endotracheal tube placement, cuff pressures, and suctioning.
Provide respiratory support using non-invasive positive pressure devices.
Set up mechanical ventilators, assess patients, and suggest airway-management recommendations.
Provide patient education and discharge planning for patients requiring home respiratory care, including home oxygen evaluations.
Evaluate patients for respiratory treatments and administer respiratory therapies, including aerosol therapy, MDI and DPI treatments, incentive spirometry, sputum inductions, and peak-flow testing.
Transport critically ill patients on mechanical ventilation and assist in the operating room with patients on complex mechanical ventilation settings.
Perform daily weaning assessments.
Respond to medical emergencies.
Perform CPR and arterial blood gas procedures.
Give the oncoming shift a complete verbal report about relevant patient-care information and anticipated challenges.
Provide clinical education for respiratory care students.