Respiratory Therapist ll Up to $20,000 Sign on Bonus

Yale New Haven Health•New Haven, CT

About The Position

The Respiratory Therapist II is a respiratory care professional who assesses, treats, and educates patients with respiratory problems. The role requires graduation from a CoARC-approved Respiratory Care program, a current Connecticut Respiratory Care Practitioner license, and Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) registration through the NBRC. The Therapist II demonstrates expertise in the department’s therapies and services and serves as a role model, mentor, and expert resource to Level I therapists and other patient-care team members. The position also supports departmental and interdepartmental quality-improvement efforts. As an ECMO Specialist, the incumbent continuously monitors and assesses the ECMO circuit, related technology, and patient status; identifies and corrects problems; and initiates and evaluates interventions according to protocol. The specialist consults with the ECMO physician when the patient’s condition or protocol limits or directives are in question, and works with the ECMO team and other health care providers to deliver care consistent with the patient’s individualized care plan.

Requirements

Associate of Science degree and certificate of completion from a Respiratory Care program approved by the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).
Current active Connecticut license as a Respiratory Care Practitioner.
Registration by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).
Minimum of 1 year as an RRT in Critical Care, Pediatric, or Neonatal care.
Expert knowledge of respiratory care assessments, procedures, equipment, application, and appropriate documentation.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Excellent organizational, leadership, supervisory, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work under stressful conditions.
Computer literacy.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science degree preferred.
Advanced life support related to the assigned patient population preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide age-specific respiratory care and assess patients’ pulmonary status using chart review, patient interviews, physical examinations, blood gas interpretation, and other assessment skills.
Interpret diagnostic procedures and results, including x-rays, blood gases, PPD, overnight oximetry, peak flow, arterial puncture, and sputum induction.
Document care, changes in clinical status, and therapeutic objectives accurately in the electronic medical record while maintaining patient confidentiality and following identification requirements.
Communicate and collaborate with coworkers and the patient-care team; provide and receive patient reports and safe handoffs using the SBAR format.
Maintain clinical competency through continuing education, professional growth, and development; stay informed about professional trends and departmental procedures and equipment.
Serve as a role model, mentor, and expert resource to Level I therapists and other patient-care team members.
Support departmental and interdepartmental quality-improvement efforts.
As an ECMO Specialist, continuously monitor and assess the ECMO circuit, related technology, and patient status; identify and correct problems; and initiate and evaluate protocol-consistent interventions.
Consult with the ECMO physician when patient condition or protocol limits or directives are in question.
Monitor and adjust ECMO circuit settings, including heat exchanger temperature, pump flow, and sweep gas, to maintain parameters established by the ECMO physician.
Provide a safe ECMO patient handoff covering patient care and the state of the ECMO circuit.