Respiratory Care Therapist

Jamestown Regional Medical Center•Jamestown, ND

11d•$28 - $42

About The Position

The Respiratory Therapist assesses, evaluates, plans, and documents care for patients with cardiopulmonary disorders across infant, pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric age groups, following established standards of performance. This is a casual (PRN) position. Workdays may fall Sunday through Saturday, with typical shifts of 6:00 a.m.–6:30 p.m., 7:00 a.m.–7:30 p.m., or 8:00 a.m.–8:30 p.m. Weekend and holiday work varies according to department needs, and call rotation may be required as needed. The therapist provides respiratory treatments and testing, supports invasive and noninvasive ventilation, educates patients and families, and collaborates with providers, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to manage patient care. The position also involves equipment maintenance, emergency response, infection control, compliance with hospital policies and regulatory requirements, and participation in performance improvement activities. Tobacco treatment specialist training may be obtained as desired or requested by the department manager.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited Respiratory Care Program.
Current Respiratory Therapy licensure in North Dakota; registry eligible or Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) preferred.
BLS and ACLS certification.
Attend Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) training within the timeframe specified by the department orientation checklist.
Thorough knowledge of respiratory care procedures, indications, contraindications, hazards, and life support equipment.
Ability and knowledge to use computers for patient documentation and data gathering for quality care.
Ability to exercise independent judgment and demonstrate creativity, insight, integrity, and initiative.
Ability to communicate professionally and work effectively with providers, patients, families, and other departments.
Ability to speak and write English understandably and read and comprehend hospital and department policy manuals.
Ability to meet the work schedule and performance standards, including concentrated attention in potentially stressful situations.
Ability to use relevant equipment safely, recognize equipment problems, and repair them or seek assistance.
Ability to maintain the security, confidentiality, and integrity of employee, patient, family, and other medical information.
Ability to recognize safety hazards and take corrective action, seeking assistance when needed.
Background check required.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree preferred.
Two years of Respiratory Therapist experience and proven leadership skills preferred.
NRP encouraged.
Tobacco treatment specialist training may be obtained as desired or requested by the department manager.

Responsibilities

Initiate, conduct, modify, and monitor respiratory care treatment plans based on approved protocols and written physician orders, including therapeutic, diagnostic, blood gas, monitoring, and rehabilitation services.
Set up equipment and manage patients requiring invasive and noninvasive ventilation, including mechanical ventilation, BIPAP, and CPAP.
Perform testing techniques, including measurement of ventilatory volumes, pressures, and flows, blood gas analysis, and related physiology.
Perform arterial blood gas analysis and relay results to the physician.
Perform bronchial hygiene and assist or instruct patients in breathing exercises.
Educate inpatients, outpatients, and their families about conditions and disease management techniques, including breathing exercises and the use of aerosol medications and respiratory equipment.
Explain treatment procedures to patients to gain cooperation and allay fears.
Schedule and conduct provider-ordered pulmonary function testing.
Inspect, clean, test, and maintain respiratory therapy equipment, and order repairs when necessary.
As a tobacco treatment specialist when trained, assess patients with tobacco or nicotine dependence, use motivational interviewing, recommend treatment strategies, provide behavioral counseling and support, and maintain continuing education requirements.
Work as part of a team of providers, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to manage patient care.
Provide emergency care, including artificial respiration and assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Comply with infection control, departmental, and hospital policies and procedures.
Participate in departmental performance improvement activities and comply with accreditation and regulatory requirements.
Report potential risk management, corporate compliance, HIPAA, quality, and safety issues promptly to the department manager.
Perform other duties as assigned.