Respiratory Therapist Full Time/ Days

Kindred Healthcare • Muskogee, OK

4d

About The Position

At Cornerstone Specialty Hospitals, patients receive acute care from a physician-led care team specializing in complex conditions. Respiratory therapists provide care for patients with serious respiratory illnesses, with 24/7 access to respiratory therapy services. The Respiratory Therapist administers safe and competent respiratory care as ordered by physicians, monitors mechanical ventilation, administers medications, assesses patients, understands hemodynamic monitoring and blood work results, and provides monitoring, teaching, and training.

The role delivers respiratory care throughout the hospital, documents procedures and patient care, verifies and initiates physician orders, and uses respiratory instruments and equipment safely. The therapist performs airway management, ventilation and oxygen therapy, diagnostic procedures, patient and family education, and ongoing assessment and support for ventilator weaning and decannulation. The therapist also participates in multidisciplinary patient care, communicates changes and recommendations to the healthcare team, and assists with staff and student orientation and training.

Requirements

• Postsecondary certificate, diploma, or program graduation from an accredited respiratory therapy program, or an associate’s degree from an accredited respiratory therapy program.
• Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP), or comparable certification, in the state of practice upon hire.
• Basic Life Support (BCLS) upon hire or within the facility-specified time frame.
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) upon hire or within the facility-specified time frame.
• Ability to work under stress and respond quickly in emergency situations.
• Ability to communicate appropriately with healthcare team members, patients, and families.
• Understanding of lifespan growth and development and ability to provide care appropriate for adult and geriatric patients.
• Ability to work cooperatively as a team member.
• Good and regular attendance.
• Fluent English reading, writing, and speaking skills.

Nice To Haves

• Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) or Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential upon hire.
• One or more years of related experience.

Responsibilities

• Deliver respiratory care procedures in all hospital areas in accordance with policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Maintain accurate and complete documentation and charge capture for respiratory care procedures; develop and maintain respiratory care elements of patient plans of care.
• Verify and initiate physician orders for respiratory care.
• Use respiratory care instruments and equipment competently, including troubleshooting, problem resolution, and proper disinfection or sterilization.
• Initiate, monitor, and maintain oxygen and aerosol delivery devices and non-invasive and invasive mechanical ventilation devices.
• Perform airway management, including oral or nasal airway placement, bag-mask ventilation, intubation or assistance with intubation, and scheduled or emergency tracheostomy tube changes.
• Perform safe suctioning and use of artificial airways; initiate and perform CPR.
• Perform tracheostomy, endotracheal tube, and oral care.
• Implement one-way speaking valve trials as ordered by a physician.
• Assist physicians with diagnostic and therapeutic bronchoscopy procedures.
• Complete initial and ongoing decannulation risk assessments, interventions, and documentation.
• Perform and document timely spontaneous breathing trial assessments and initiate and advance ventilator weaning according to protocol.
• Participate in the multidisciplinary early patient mobility program.
• Perform pulse oximetry and carbon dioxide gas monitoring.
• Perform arterial blood gas sampling and analysis, and document ongoing ABG analyzer quality control and maintenance.
• Provide and document patient and family education.
• Provide and receive accurate and complete patient handoff reports.
• Participate in department and hospital in-services, meetings, and patient care rounds.
• Notify the immediate supervisor of changes in workload and patient acuity.
• Provide timely, accurate updates to healthcare team members and recommend therapy modifications when clinically indicated.
• Assist with orientation and training of new employees and students, and precept new employees during orientation.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: Associate degree