Respiratory Care Practitioner PTPD - PD - Varied Shift

ECMC•Buffalo, NY

12d

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 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. Direct supervision is limited to a license holder supervising a permit holder. The position also performs related work as required. Responsibilities include managing airways and ventilatory support, evaluating patients and providing respiratory treatments, responding to medical emergencies, and documenting care. The practitioner also communicates patient care information between shifts, provides patient education and discharge planning, and educates respiratory care students.

Requirements

Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State-registered college or university with an associate’s 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 appointment, maintained throughout the appointment.
Possession of the NBRC Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential within 12 months of appointment, maintained throughout the appointment. Permanent employees hired before October 26, 2016, who maintain a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential but do not hold an RRT credential remain qualified for this title.
Possession of Basic Life Support (BLS) certification at application, maintained throughout the appointment.
Thorough knowledge of respiratory therapy principles, practices, equipment, and terminology.
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 related to respiratory therapy; educate patients on home respiratory care; evaluate patient status and treatment needs; and administer appropriate respiratory care.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse constituency, and use 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 accordance with provider orders and applicable standards, policies, and procedures.
Set up, operate, clean, and store respiratory equipment.
Record clinical and technical information in patient records.
Manage artificial and natural airways, including assessing tracheostomy sites, endotracheal tube placement and cuff pressures, and providing 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 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 receiving mechanical ventilation and assist in the operating room with patients on complex ventilator settings.
Perform daily weaning assessments.
Respond to medical emergencies and perform CPR and arterial blood gas procedures.
Give the oncoming shift a comprehensive verbal report covering relevant patient care information and anticipated challenges.
Provide clinical education for respiratory care students.