Respiratory Care Professional (RCP) - St. Rita's Medical Center

Mercy Health • Lima, OH

7d

About The Position

The Respiratory Care Practitioner I provides respiratory care through patient assessment, planning, intervention, education, and evaluation. The practitioner performs respiratory care procedures, including oxygen and aerosolized medication delivery, ventilator care, bronchial hygiene therapy, and diagnostic services. They monitor patients’ responses to therapy and recommend changes or modifications based on assessment. The role may also include precepting new team members or students and participating in cardiopulmonary resuscitations.

Requirements

• Current respiratory care license in the state of employment.
• National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) credential.
• BLS Basic Life Support certification from the American Heart Association.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to interact effectively with patients, families, physicians, and staff.
• Good communication, organizational, time-management, customer-service, and oral and written communication skills.
• 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 and airway maneuvers.
• Knowledge of bedside pulmonary function, patient assessment and education, chest suction equipment, and chest X-ray interpretation.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree related to respiratory therapy, health care, health care administration, or business administration.
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential.
• ACLS Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification from the American Heart Association or Red Cross.
• PALS Pediatric Advanced Life Support certification from the American Heart Association.
• Previous work experience in an ambulatory or acute care setting.
• Six months of respiratory therapy experience in a general care area.
• EPIC Electronic Health Record (EHR) training.
• Valid driver’s license for Home Care/DME roles.

Responsibilities

• Assess patients’ physical status using inspection, palpation, auscultation, percussion, observation of behavior, and review of patient records.
• Perform ordered treatments, explain therapies and goals to patients, and modify procedures based on patient response.
• Evaluate prescribed therapy and recommend methods to physicians to help achieve therapeutic goals, including IPPB, aerosol therapy, postural drainage and percussion, ultrasonic nebulizers, incentive spirometry, and metered-dose inhalers with spacers.
• Set up and maintain oxygen therapy modes to support adequate oxygenation and accurate inspired oxygen levels.
• Prepare and administer prescribed IPPB or aerosol therapy; adjust equipment to individual clinical needs; observe and document vital signs, cough productivity, dyspnea relief, breath sounds, and adverse reactions; and make recommendations about therapy as appropriate.
• Provide postural drainage, vibration, and percussion to promote bronchial secretion drainage; review orders and X-rays before treatment and assess for changes before and after procedures.
• Teach patients and families about incentive spirometry, MDI administration, postural drainage and clapping, oxygen therapy, ventilator care, and home aerosol therapy.
• Assist physicians with bronchoscopy and tracheostomy procedures, assist with tracheostomy and endotracheal tube changes, and ensure proper humidification.
• Obtain sputum specimens or assist with airway clearance through patient coaching, mucolytics, aerosol therapy, or endotracheal or nasopharyngeal suctioning.
• Evaluate normal and pathologic blood and urine laboratory value ranges.
• Perform arterial punctures and blood gas analysis; interpret ABGs; and perform arterial line procedures using appropriate safety and sterile technique, flushing, and ABG aspiration procedures.
• May perform EKGs and use knowledge of electronic monitoring, lead placement, and basic arrhythmias.
• Maintain respiratory therapy equipment and supplies.
• Respond to cardiopulmonary resuscitations and participate as indicated by clinical circumstances.
• May serve as a preceptor to new team members and/or students.

Benefits

• Competitive pay, incentives, referral bonuses, and 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 and FMLA leave, short- and long-term disability, and backup care for children and elders.
• Tuition assistance, professional development, and continuing education support.
• Potential sign-on bonus.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed