RESPIRATORY CLINICIAN

UMass Memorial Health•Worcester, MA

1d•$39 - $57•Onsite

About The Position

At UMass Memorial Health, everyone is a caregiver – regardless of their title or responsibilities. Exceptional patient care, academic excellence and leading-edge research make UMass Memorial the premier health system of Central Massachusetts, and a place where we can help you build the career you deserve. We are more than 20,000 employees, working together as one health system in a relentless pursuit of healing for our patients, community and each other. And everyone, in their own unique way, plays an important part, every day. Administers various forms of respiratory modalities in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Respiratory Care Department.

Requirements

Current registration by the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC) – Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential.
All employees are expected to comply with the NBRC’s Continuing Competency program and are required to provide evidence that they are continuing to meet current standards of practice and have successfully renewed their national credentials issued by the NBRC.
Minimum of an Associate’s degree or equivalent in Respiratory Care.
Actively working towards a Massachusetts license and will obtain within 2 months after hire date to receive your MA license as a condition of your employment. During the interim, no patient care can be done only didactic and simulation.
Must maintain a current MA license
Current certification in Basic Cardiac Life Support or equivalent.
Current certification in Neonatal Resuscitation – Memorial Campus
Critical Care experience, technical and computer skills.

Nice To Haves

Current or working towards a Bachelor’s Degree in Respiratory Care or other health care related curriculum.
Current ACLS certification.
Current PALS certification–University Campus.
Pediatric experience–University; NICU experience-Memorial.

Responsibilities

Monitors and supports patients on mechanical ventilation. Provides respiratory support and cardiopulmonary resuscitation as required.
Assists physician/anesthesia during intubations. Assists physicians performing both diagnostic and therapeutic bronchoscopies and percutaneous dilatational tracheotomies at the bedside under bronchoscopic guidance.
Establishes treatment plans and modifies therapy according to department protocols for bronchodilator therapy and chest physical therapy techniques.
Obtains arterial blood gasses. Performs radial and brachial artery blood draws to obtain blood samples for gas analysis.
Sets up and monitors equipment for ventilatory support. May set up and monitor pulse oximetry equipment for continuous measurement of oxygen saturation. Sets up and monitors mechanical ventilators during surgical procedures as required. May set up and monitor equipment for administering oxygen including various types of cannulas and masks.
Coordinates and maintains difficult airway carts, identifies and assesses potential high-risk airway patients, participates on code airway team.
May perform both resting and trending pulse oximetry.
Provides patient education and support on various respiratory topics, such as smoking cessation techniques, asthma and COPD management, and the use and administration of respiratory medications and modalities.
Participates in the transport of patients requiring respiratory support.
Manages and monitors MRI ventilator during MRI scans
Administers aerosolized medications using small volume nebulizers and/or metered dose inhalers.
Performs sputum inductions
Administers inhaled nitric oxide and other inhaled pulmonary vasodilator therapies.
Provides tracheostomy care, management and assistance with discharge planning. Also includes daily assessment, PMV (speaking valve) evaluation, assessment, and education. Reinsertion of stable dislodge tracheostomies.
Assists with the placement of endotracheal or tracheostomy tubes and performs suctioning techniques via endotracheal/tracheostomy tubes to remove secretions from the upper airways.
Coordinates daily spontaneous breathing trials, records weaning data, communicates with the Provider and RN, performs extubations when applicable per Provider order
Assesses patient response to therapy and recommends modifications to therapy as appropriate.
Communicates the respiratory status of patients to physicians and other healthcare professionals. Participates in the development of a plan of care for patients requiring respiratory support.
Documents patient status, equipment settings, procedures performed and any other pertinent information regarding patient care in the patient medical record.
Enters charges and RVU’s for services provided into the electronic medical record.
Maintains inventory of equipment and supplies, replacing used items as needed.
Cleans and disinfects respiratory equipment in accordance with infection control standards.
May perform bedside spirometry.
Complies with established departmental policies, procedures and objectives.
Attends variety of meetings, conferences, seminars as required or directed.
Demonstrates use of Quality Improvement in daily operations.
Complies with all health and safety regulations and requirements.
Respects diverse views and approaches, demonstrates Standards of Respect, and contributes to creating and maintaining an environment of professionalism, tolerance, civility and acceptance toward all employees, patients and visitors.
Maintains, regular, reliable, and predictable attendance.
Performs other similar and related duties as required or directed.