Respiratory Therapist (RT) - St. Anne Hospital

About the position

The Respiratory Care Practitioner II is responsible for providing respiratory care through patient assessment, planning, intervention, education, and evaluation. Performs all respiratory care procedures including but not limited to oxygen and aerosolized medication delivery, ventilator care, bronchial hygiene therapy, diagnostic services and patient and staff education. Monitors the patient's response to such therapies and makes recommendations to change or modify based on the assessment.

Responsibilities

• May serve as the shift 'Charge Therapist' with responsibility of ensuring adequate number of respiratory care staff to cover patient care areas and needs.
• May assist physician performing procedures such as bronchoscopy, transtracheal catheter insertion, tracheotomy intubation.
• Performs CPR including closed chest compressions and airway management techniques in accordance with the AHA ACLS protocol.
• Conducts prescribed therapeutic procedures to achieve maintenance of a patient airway.
• Selects, assembles, monitors and evaluates mechanical ventilators for proper function and operation.
• May perform pulmonary function tests (PFT).
• Serves as a preceptor to new team members and/or students.
• Assesses patient's physical status by inspection, palpation, auscultation, percussion, patient behavior and reviewing existing data in patient's record.
• Performs treatments according to physician orders, explains therapy and therapeutic goals to patient.
• Determines appropriateness of prescribed therapy and recommends methods to physician to achieve therapeutic goals.
• Sets up and maintains different modes of oxygen therapy.
• Administers intermittent positive pressure breathing (IPPB) or Aerosol Therapy.
• Gives postural drainage, vibration, percussion to ensure proper drainage of bronchial secretions.
• Instructs patients and families in incentive spirometer, metered dose inhaler (MDI) administration, postural drainage and clapping, oxygen therapy, ventilator care and home aerosol therapy.
• Procurement of sputum for culture and sensitivity or airway clearance.
• Evaluates normal and pathologic blood and urine laboratory value ranges.
• Performs arterial punctures and analysis; has an in-depth knowledge of analysis and arterial blood gas (ABG) interpretation.
• May perform EKG's; understands electronic monitoring, lead placement, and basic arrhythmias.
• Maintains all Respiratory Therapy equipment and supplies.
• Responds to cardio-pulmonary resuscitations and actively participates as indicated by clinical circumstances.

Requirements

• Graduate of an AMA approved school for Respiratory Care (required)
• Current Respiratory Care License in the state they are working (required)
• National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) credentialed (required)
• Two years of experience as a Registered Respiratory Therapist or five years CRT working with patient populations from Nursery/NICU and/or ICU/CCU environments (required)
• Strong interpersonal skills and able to effectively interact with patients, their families, physicians, and other staff members
• Good communication skills
• Able to effectively work with diverse people
• Good customer service skills
• Good organizational skills and time management skills
• Good oral and written communication
• Able to receive feedback
• Able to gather and interpret data
• Accountability
• Knowledge of non-invasive respiratory therapy equipment such as oximeters or end-tidal CO2 analyzers
• Understanding of EKGs, electronic monitoring, lead placement, and basic arrhythmias
• Arterial blood gas punctures and testing
• Airway maneuvers
• Bedside pulmonary function
• Patient assessment
• Patient education
• Knowledge of chest suction equipment
• Knowledge of chest X-ray interpretation

Nice-to-haves

• Bachelor's Degree, Related to Respiratory Therapy/Health care/Healthcare Admin/Business Admin (preferred)
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) (preferred)
• NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program) - AAP/AWHONN (preferred)
• Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT) (preferred)
• Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT) (preferred)
• ACCS (Adult Critical Care Specialist) - NBRC (preferred)
• EPIC Electronic Health Record (EHR) training (preferred)

Benefits

• Comprehensive, affordable medical, dental and vision plans
• Prescription drug coverage
• Flexible spending accounts
• Life insurance w/AD&D
• Employer contributions to retirement savings plan when eligible
• Paid time off
• Educational Assistance