Respiratory Therapist II

Bassett Healthcare Network•Village of Cooperstown, NY

About The Position

Under the general supervision of the Respiratory Care Specialist and the overall direction of the Manager of Respiratory Care, the Respiratory Therapist II assists physicians in restoring normal respiratory function in critically ill patients, following established protocols and policies. The role performs diagnostic and therapeutic clinical procedures within the Respiratory Care Services scope of clinical practice and carries out the responsibilities of a Respiratory Therapy Technician or Respiratory Therapist. The therapist provides care to neonatal, pediatric, and adult patients. The role provides respiratory care and low-level hemodynamic services, assesses patient status and takes appropriate action, and evaluates and treats conditions such as asthma, COPD, ILD, and bronchiectasis. It also coordinates transitions from hospital to home, including durable medical equipment, home-care services, oxygen, and insurance requirements. The therapist sets up, monitors, and maintains mechanical ventilation equipment; performs bedside therapies and arterial blood gas punctures; assists with specialized diagnostic procedures; and documents therapy and its effectiveness. The Respiratory Therapist II participates in respiratory care protocols, patient evaluations, quality assurance and performance improvement initiatives, department education, and laboratory testing and quality-control processes after training and competency validation. The role may precept and mentor staff, instruct students, and educate patients and healthcare staff. Occasional travel may be required. Physical demands include medium work, lifting and moving objects, frequent dexterity and mobility activities, and constant fit testing; frequent exposure to bodily fluids and bloodborne hazards is noted.

Requirements

Educational level required for New York State licensure as a Respiratory Therapist or Respiratory Therapy Technician.
At least 1 year of experience as a Respiratory Therapist or Respiratory Therapy Technician.
Broad knowledge of respiratory care procedures, respiratory equipment, and patient evaluation using protocol systems.
New York State license as a Respiratory Therapy Technician is required; a Respiratory Therapist license is preferred.
BLS (Basic Life Support) certification required within 6 months of hire.
ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certification required within 6 months of hire.
PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) certification required within 6 months of hire.
Successful completion of Bassett’s Arterial Line Program within 6 months of hire.
Computer skills, communication, interacting with people, and reading, writing, and comprehension skills.
Medium work: exerting up to 50 pounds occasionally, up to 20 pounds frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects.
Occasional crouching, kneeling, and stooping; frequent typing/clerical work, dexterity, grasping, hearing, lifting, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, standing, monitor/computer use, talking, walking, and visual acuity tasks; constant fit testing.
Frequent exposure to bodily fluids and bloodborne hazards.
Occasional travel may be required.

Nice To Haves

New York State license as a Respiratory Therapist (RT), preferred.
Successful completion of the hospital-based arterial line program is preferred.

Responsibilities

Assist physicians in restoring normal respiratory function in acute and critically ill patients, according to established protocols and policies.
Perform diagnostic and therapeutic clinical procedures within the Respiratory Care Services scope of clinical practice and provide care to neonatal, pediatric, and adult patients.
Provide high-quality respiratory care and low-level hemodynamic services; assess patient status and take appropriate action.
Evaluate and manage respiratory conditions, including asthma, COPD, ILD, and bronchiectasis.
Coordinate transitions of care from hospital to home, including durable medical equipment, home-care services, oxygen, and insurance compliance to support patient coverage.
Set up, monitor, and maintain continuous mechanical ventilation equipment for patients with acute, chronic, or impending respiratory failure.
Apply intensive bedside respiratory therapy techniques.
Document the effectiveness of administered therapies in the medical record and assist with specialized diagnostic procedures.
Perform routine and emergency arterial blood gas punctures to evaluate acid-base status.
Participate in the respiratory care protocol system, evaluate patients for appropriate respiratory care within 24 hours of admission to the service, review relevant medical history, classify care needs, and present findings and suggested treatment programs to physicians.
Assist physicians in assessing and identifying acute changes in critically ill patients’ cardiopulmonary status.
Educate patients, medical staff, respiratory and nursing staff, and healthcare students about respiratory care procedures and theories.
Precept and mentor staff, act as a clinical adjunct instructor for students, orient and in-service staff, and provide current scientific literature references.
Participate in department annual in-services, proficiencies, and monthly meetings.
Assess medical records daily for appropriate delivery and documentation of respiratory therapy procedures and perform concurrent audits during patient hospitalizations.
Work with the manager and director on performance-improvement matters; develop and maintain a department PI/QA project and report findings monthly and quarterly.
Perform laboratory testing only after completing required training and competency validation; document testing and quality control and maintain testing supplies, reagents, and equipment according to established procedures.
Perform other similar, related, or assigned duties as requested or directed.