Respiratory Clinician, Nashoba Valley

UMass Memorial Health•Worcester, MA

About The Position

The Respiratory Clinician administers respiratory modalities in accordance with Respiratory Care Department policies and procedures. The role monitors and supports patients receiving mechanical ventilation, provides respiratory support and cardiopulmonary resuscitation as required, and assists physicians and anesthesia staff with intubations and bedside diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. The clinician establishes treatment plans and adjusts therapy according to department protocols, obtains arterial blood gas samples, and sets up and monitors respiratory and oxygen-delivery equipment. The role also supports difficult-airway readiness, assesses potential high-risk airway patients, and participates on the code airway team. Duties listed are a general summary and are not all-inclusive. This position works 12-hour overnight shifts from 6:45 p.m. to 7:15 a.m., with a schedule that includes every other weekend and holiday. It requires cross-campus work. A $10,000 sign-on bonus may be available to eligible external new hires; restrictions apply and eligibility is discussed during the interview process.

Requirements

Current Massachusetts respiratory license.
New graduates must become a registered respiratory therapist within two months after hire as a condition of employment.
Current National Board for Respiratory Care Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential is required for new hires effective January 2017.
Comply with the NBRC Continuing Competency program and provide evidence of meeting current standards of practice and renewing national credentials.
Minimum associate degree or equivalent in Respiratory Care.
Current Basic Cardiac Life Support certification or equivalent.
Current Neonatal Resuscitation certification for Memorial Campus.
Critical care experience.
Technical and computer skills.

Nice To Haves

Current or in-progress bachelor's degree in Respiratory Care or another health care-related curriculum.
Current ACLS certification.
Current PALS certification for University Campus.
Pediatric experience for University Campus.
NICU experience for Memorial Campus.

Responsibilities

Monitor and support patients on mechanical ventilation; provide respiratory support and cardiopulmonary resuscitation as required.
Assist physicians and anesthesia staff during intubations.
Assist physicians with diagnostic and therapeutic bronchoscopies and percutaneous dilatational tracheotomies at the bedside under bronchoscopic guidance.
Establish treatment plans and modify therapy according to department protocols for bronchodilator therapy and chest physical therapy techniques.
Obtain arterial blood gases, including performing radial and brachial artery blood draws for gas analysis.
Set up and monitor ventilatory support equipment and mechanical ventilators during surgical procedures as required.
Set up and monitor pulse oximetry equipment for continuous oxygen-saturation measurement and equipment for oxygen administration, including cannulas and masks, as needed.
Coordinate and maintain difficult-airway carts, identify and assess potential high-risk airway patients, and participate on the code airway team.
Perform resting and trending pulse oximetry as needed.