Respiratory Care Specialist

Sanford Health•Minot, ND

About The Position

The Respiratory Care Specialist assesses patients to prevent, detect, monitor, and manage cardiopulmonary disease and related complications. The role provides therapeutic interventions and education to support cardiopulmonary health, overall health status, preventative care, self-management, and quality of life, following established goals and interdisciplinary care plans. The specialist regularly assesses patients and their equipment, analyzes patient needs, and offers treatment suggestions. Care may be provided in patients’ homes, hospitals, and clinics. The role collaborates with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, including assisting with home respiratory therapy. Rotating on-call shifts may be required. The position requires thorough knowledge of respiratory care procedures, indications, contraindications, hazards, and departmental equipment. It also requires using computers for patient documentation and data gathering, and completing orientations, competency validations, and other required in-service training.

Requirements

Associate degree in respiratory care from an accredited respiratory care program or a degree in nursing.
Current Respiratory Therapy (RT) or Registered Nurse (RN) licensure in the state(s) where practice occurs, or applicable multistate licensure.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
Obtain and maintain required department-specific competencies and certifications.
If licensed as an RT, hold active Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) or Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credentials through the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC), maintained according to NBRC requirements.
If licensed as an RN, hold licensure through the applicable state Board of Nursing.
Active driver’s license.
Thorough knowledge of respiratory care procedures, indications, contraindications, hazards, and equipment.
Knowledge of computer use for patient documentation and data gathering.

Nice To Haves

Graduation from a nationally accredited nursing program, including programs accredited by CCNE, ACEN, or NLN CNEA.

Responsibilities

Assess individuals to prevent, detect, monitor, and manage disease and complications.
Provide therapeutic interventions to improve cardiopulmonary health and overall health status in accordance with established goals and interdisciplinary care plans.
Educate patients to promote preventative care, self-management, cardiopulmonary health, and quality of life.
Regularly assess patients and the equipment they use.
Analyze patients’ conditions and offer treatment suggestions.
Work with patients in home, hospital, and clinic environments according to their needs.
Collaborate with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to manage patient care, including assisting with home respiratory therapy.
Use computers for patient documentation and data gathering.
Complete required orientations, competency validations, and in-service training.
Work rotating on-call shifts if required.