Respiratory Therapist - Pulmonary Function Lab (1.0 FTE)

Billings Clinic•Billings, MT

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Respiratory Therapist in this position will perform duties within their defined scope of practice for specific specialty areas assigned, which may include Outpatient Pulmonary Function Lab, Outpatient Pediatric Clinic, and Outpatient Pulmonary Rehab. Based on therapy-driven protocols, the therapist will instruct, administer, and monitor a full range of respiratory care services, treatments, and pulmonary diagnostic tests to patients. They will recognize and report any unusual reactions to treatment, contraindications to treatment, or inappropriate use of therapy to the healthcare and/or physician team. Billings Clinic is a community-owned, not-for-profit, Physician-led health system based in Billings with more than 4,700 employees, including over 550 physicians and non-physician providers. Our integrated organization consists of a multi-specialty group practice and a 304-bed hospital. Billings Clinic is proud to be recognized for nursing excellence as a Magnet®-designated organization.

Requirements

Graduate of an AMA-approved school for Respiratory Care
Current Montana Respiratory Care Practitioner license

Responsibilities

Collaborates with the interdisciplinary care team to execute a plan of care appropriate to the needs of the patients utilizing evidence based and best practice.
Incorporates the respiratory process into the goal-directed plan of care for the patient.
Adheres to Billings Clinic safety standards, policies, and practices. Anticipates and identifies problems and safety issues, then initiates appropriate action. This includes complying with hand hygiene adherence, isolation practices, clean/dirty equipment process, reassemble of equipment, and processes associated with Sterile Processing Department if needed.
Ensures complete, accurate, and timely entry into patient medical record as indicated by patient condition and documentation guidelines, consistent with departmental policies and procedures.
Checks and maintains respiratory therapy equipment. Maintains appropriate skill, knowledge, and application of relevant and commonly used equipment specific to the area based on disease process or physiological status.
Ensures complete, accurate, critical value reporting, and timely entry into patient medical record for all Pulmonary Laboratory values. Performs arterial puncture, arterial line draws, and blood gas analysis consistent with departmental policies and procedures. Completes Laboratory equipment maintenance and regulatory logs as assigned.
Takes responsibility for own professional growth, punctuality, and developmental needs. Meets all system/departmental educational, competency, and meeting requirements. Participates in departmental committees and activities to positively contribute skills and ideas for better departmental advancements and processes.
May perform endotracheal intubation in emergent situations.
Performs pulmonary physiology testing (i.e. blood gas analysis, pulmonary function testing, bronchoprovocation, pulmonary exercise stress testing, exercise induced bronchospasm testing, disability testing and metabolic testing) as per departmental policy and procedure. Calculates test results and communicates results to physicians for interpretation.
Able to assist with inpatient bedside spirometry as schedule allows.
Assist with QA/QI per department policy and as directed.
Able to assist with medical student education within the PFT lab.
Able to independently or with vendor support trouble shoot all equipment in the PFT lab.
Participates in the development of policies and procedures for the outpatient Pulmonary Physiology Lab.
Assists with daily calibration and equipment maintenance.
Travels with providers to provide support for outreach clinics within the service area.