Respiratory Therapist (RT) - Pediatric Transport

Advocate Aurora Health • Elmhurst, IL

116d • $37 - $56

About The Position

The Transport Team provides interfacility transports via ambulance and rotor wing for critically ill or injured infants and children to one of our Advocate Children's Hospitals located in Oak Lawn or Park Ridge or Endeavor Healthcare System. Our transfer center facilitates transports across the United States with a majority of transports occurring within Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. Our team is focused on providing the highest level of quality and safe care for all children and families. We continue to grow and be nationally recognized for excellence in Transport. The Interfacility Transport RCP has an intuitive grasp of clinical situations and demonstrates comprehensive knowledge and experience. S/he is a recognized resource, leader, and problem solver. S/he seeks out challenging patients and shares expertise with others. The Interfacility Transport RCP is an experienced RCP that provides comprehensive respiratory care to the critically ill/injured patient (neonatal, pediatric, and/or adult with a pediatric chronic disease) in the mobile environment of air and ground transports.

Requirements

• At least 3 years of respiratory experience (or 4000 hours as equivalent) with a focus on Critical care (peds and/or neonatal preferred).
• RRT required.
• NPS required within 6 months of hire.
• Interfacility transport experience preferred.
• Earn 15 continuing education credits annually related to transport medicine or neonatal/pediatric critical or emergency care.
• Current Illinois RCP license.
• Current BLS.
• Current PALS certification or obtained and maintained within 6 months of hire/transfer.
• Willingness to obtain RT licenses in other states as directed by Transport Leadership.

Nice To Haves

• C-NPT (Certified Neonatal Pediatric Transport) certification preferred; must complete within 2 years of hire/transfer.

Responsibilities

• Obtains pertinent maternal, neonatal, and pediatric histories with emphasis on risk factors and implications for problems and incorporates that in plan of care.
• Performs pertinent physical examination related to respiratory practice.
• Formulates differential diagnosis and a plan of care of existing and potential problems in collaboration with Transport RN and Transport Medical Control Physician (TMCP).
• Recognizes and treats changes in clinical situations (including life threatening conditions) and implements changes to the transport plan of care based on Standing Transport Protocols and TMCP recommendations.
• Exercises independent judgment in situations when sudden clinical changes occur and understand and implements necessary interventions and their expected outcomes based on Transport Protocols and TMCP recommendations.
• Performs necessary diagnostic and therapeutic procedures as indicated for identification and management of problems as indicated by protocols and/or TMCP recommendations.
• Provides clinical management for resuscitation, with independent manner per protocol, of the neonatal, pediatric, and/or adolescent patient, including necessary pharmacological support during interfacility transports.
• Provides ongoing monitoring, assessment, and appropriate interventions in accordance with standing protocols and orders while in transit, at referring and receiving facilities and documents accurately on all transport documentation according to department guidelines.
• Demonstrates expertise in respiratory practice and critically evaluates own decision-making and judgments.
• Serves as an expert with ability to care for all types of neonatal and pediatric patients (and adults with pediatric diagnosis/medical history), at an expert level, in the mobile environment (ground/rotor/fixed wing).
• Wears appropriate uniform and boots according to policy and role models to peers.
• Obtains appropriate transport consents including but not limited to consent for treatment and transfer and privacy consent and ensures understanding of information to guardian prior to obtaining consents.
• Completes independent verification during interfacility transfer for the RN on required medications.
• Takes a leadership role in achieving unit compliance with Transport Program accreditation for CAMTS and actively participates in the Quality and Safety plan of department.
• Consistently utilizes risk assessment/reduction strategies and role models this behavior to coworkers.
• Communicates information about the patient's 'working diagnosis, plan of management, and prognosis to the referring physician, guardian, and other management of the health care team.
• Assures medications and supplies are stocked according to guidelines and are not expired.
• Administers all inhalation medications as prescribed by TMCP (standing orders/protocols) and according to policy and procedure.
• Implements strategies to reduce patient and crew risk and increase safety in the transport environment.
• Demonstrates expert knowledge and operation of all transport equipment within scope and is able to troubleshoot issue on a real-time basis.
• Maintains all transport equipment in a state of readiness by checking all equipment, per departmental guidelines, at the beginning of each shift.
• Participates in the ongoing evaluation of transport equipment needs and provides detailed feedback.
• Reports and documents transport equipment malfunctions/errors to biomedical engineering, transport leadership and in appropriate patient safety event reporting.
• Demonstrates knowledge of ground, rotor and fixed wing aircraft operating procedures and safety practices.
• Facilities and contacts consultants as directed by TMCP.
• Ensures appropriate documentation of transport request is completed with accuracy.
• Coordinates initial transport request information from the referring facility unit clerk.
• Maintains appropriate contact with the transport team at required times to ensure team's whereabouts and ongoing safety.
• Keeps up to date information on current weather conditions in and around transport service area.
• Coordinates and confirms bed placement at receiving facility or alternative admission facility as appropriate.
• Coordinates appropriate mode of transport with vendor staff and communicates information to Advocate Children's Hospital Transport Team.
• Communicates ETA and status, on an ongoing basis, with both the referring facility and receiving facility.
• Verifies appropriate crew information sheets on file and initiates PIAP (Post Incident Action Plan) when appropriate.
• Maintains up to date information on bed availability, physician, team coverage/status, vehicle information-availability, and contact numbers.
• Participates in peer review of the transport team members by accurately completing post transport debriefs.
• Earns a minimum of 15 contact hours per year related to transport medicine and/or population that is served by transport program.
• Takes a proactive approach in seeking out own learning needs and experiences.
• Demonstrates continued professional growth through continuing education and review of current literature.
• Takes a leadership role in the education of others at the unit, house-wide and/or system level.
• Leads a transport case study once every 12 months.
• Actively participates in at least one unit committee and/or unit task force OR site/system committee.
• Serves as a preceptor in the training of future transport team members and residents/students.
• Participates in at least 75% of department staff meetings on an annual basis.
• Initiates, participates, and assist with the implementation of change to transport policies, practices, procedures.
• Identifies and/or participates in potential/actual research studies and/or evidence base practice projects.
• Serves as a resource or consultant to nursing, medical, and ancillary staff regarding neonatal and pediatric transport.
• Performs all required charge crew duties in a comprehensive manner, when assigned.
• Takes a collaborative approach in assisting with medical procedures and interfacility transports when requested.
• Prepares for the safety huddle, when assigned.
• Utilizes resources and follows chain of command for disruptive behavior that impedes the delivery of care/safety of patient and/or team.

Benefits

• Sign-On Bonus Available - Up to $20,000.
• May be eligible for our Loan Forgiveness program - Up to $20,000.
• Relocation Bonus Available.
• Paid Time Off programs.
• Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability.
• Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses.
• Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave.
• Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs.
• Educational Assistance Program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Hospitals
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree