About the position
The Respiratory Therapist II is a health care professional who is a graduate of a program in Respiratory Care approved by the committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), is licensed by the State of Connecticut as a Respiratory Care Practitioner and is recognized by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT). The Therapist II performs a variety of clinical activities in the assessment, treatment, and education of the patient with respiratory problems. The Therapist II has demonstrated through experience and assessment to have expertise in all therapies and services offered by the department. The Therapist II is a role model, mentor and expert resource to the level I therapist and actively supports and serves as a resource to other members of the patient care team. The Therapist II supports departmental and interdepartmental quality improvement efforts.
Responsibilities
- Functions efficiently, resourcefully and skillfully in providing patients optimum age-specific respiratory care.
- Assesses patient's pulmonary status employing basic skills, which include reviewing the medical chart, patient interview, physical examination, and interpretation of blood gases.
- Demonstrates proficiency and consistency with all assessment skills, including interpretation of x-ray and blood gases, RAW, CL graphic displays, etc.
- Demonstrates knowledge and interpretation of diagnostic procedures such as PPD, overnight oximetry, peak flow, arterial puncture, and sputum induction.
- Contributes to effective communication within the department through documentation of services administered, changes in patient’s clinical status, and therapeutic objectives.
- Records all care provided via electronic medical record accurately.
- Identifies patient on written documents by using MRN and patient labels as required by department and hospital policy.
- Notes consistently include ABGs, patient assessment, weaning assessment, and parameters.
- Maintains patient confidentiality with documentation practices.
- Communicates clearly and appropriately with co-workers.
- Demonstrates a cooperative team spirit, effectively contributing to excellence of patient care.
- Gives report using SBAR format and attentively, courteously accepts report in order to facilitate transition from one shift to the next.
- Accurately, completely, and concisely gives a safe hand off for all relevant clinical information on patient's clinical course and status.
- Assumes responsibility for maintaining clinical competency through continuing education, professional growth, and development.
- Keeps self-informed about current trends within the profession and new procedures/equipment in the department.
- Requests inservices as appropriate to maintain competencies for equipment and procedures.
- Maintains membership in AARC, NBRC or demonstrates other active participation in profession.
- Responsible for ensuring appropriate patient care through the continuous monitoring and assessment of the ECMO circuit, related technology, and patient status.
- Identifies and corrects problems associated with the ECMO procedure and initiates and evaluates interventions consistent with protocol.
- Monitors and adjusts ECMO circuit settings to maintain parameters established by the ECMO physician.
- Demonstrates a culture of safety through a hand-off of the ECMO patient covering all aspects of the patient’s care and the state of the ECMO circuit.
Requirements
- Associates of Science degree and certificate of completion of Respiratory Care Program approved by Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).
- Current active license by the State of Connecticut as a Respiratory Care Practitioner.
- Registration by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
- Minimum of 1 year as an RRT in Critical Care, Pediatric or Neonatal.
- CT RCP License BLS Advanced LS related to patient population as assigned (preferred).
Nice-to-haves
- Bachelor of Science Degree preferred.
- Minimum 2 years experience in Pediatrics, Neonatal ICU, Critical Care as an RRT required.
