Respiratory Therapist $20,000 Sign on

Yale New Haven Health•New Haven, CT

About The Position

The Respiratory Therapist I is a health care professional who assesses, treats, and educates patients with respiratory problems. The role provides age-specific respiratory care, supports and serves as a resource to other members of the patient care team, and contributes to departmental and interdepartmental quality improvement efforts. Employees are expected to understand and support the YNHHS Vision and Mission and demonstrate its Values of integrity, patient-centeredness, respect, accountability, and compassion. The position is intended for new graduates, people with limited experience in critical care or neonatal environments, and those who have not yet completed the NBRC RRT examination. The therapist maintains clinical competency through continuing education and professional development, and keeps informed about current professional trends and departmental procedures and equipment.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited Respiratory Care program.
Current active Connecticut license as a Respiratory Care Practitioner.
NBRC certification demonstrated by completion of the TMC examination or its predecessor.
Competence in the basic operation and application of respiratory care equipment.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Excellent organizational skills.
Ability to work under stressful conditions.
Excellent interpersonal skills.
Computer literacy on a PC.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science degree preferred.
BLS and Advanced LS related to the assigned patient population preferred.
Membership in AARC or NBRC, or other active participation in the profession.

Responsibilities

Provide efficient, resourceful, and skilled age-specific respiratory care.
Assess patients’ pulmonary status using chart review, patient interviews, physical examinations, and interpretation of blood gases and other clinical information.
Demonstrate proficiency in assessment skills and knowledge of diagnostic procedures, including PPD, overnight oximetry, peak flow, arterial puncture, and sputum induction.
Accurately document care, changes in clinical status, and therapeutic objectives in the electronic medical record, following identification, confidentiality, and hospital documentation policies.
Communicate clearly and appropriately with coworkers and contribute to cooperative, high-quality patient care.
Provide and receive patient reports using the SBAR format, including safe, accurate, complete, and concise handoffs between shifts.
Maintain clinical competency and professional development through continuing education, keeping informed about professional trends and departmental procedures and equipment, and requesting in-services as appropriate.
Support departmental and interdepartmental quality improvement efforts.