Respiratory Therapist Per Diem

Covenant Health • Nashua, NH

4d • Onsite

About The Position

Responsible for the drawing and analysis of arterial blood gases, patient assessments, Therapist Driven Protocols, continuous mechanical ventilator management, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, bronchial hygiene, chest physical therapy, oxygen administration, hyperinflation therapy, aerosol therapy, and screening Pulmonary function studies, performance of emergency procedures, CPR certification, teamwork, pulse oximetry, cleaning and changing equipment. Performs documentation for all activities as outlined for charge on documentation policy/procedure to include EMR, Cardex and treatment cards. Supports and promotes the mission and values of Covenant Health Ministry. All respiratory therapy treatments are documented and charged in the electronic medical record (EMR) using the charge on documentation system. Notes include breath sounds, cough effectiveness, sputum production, time given, mode of delivery, medication, dosage, toleration, adverse reactions, O2 therapy, and O2 Saturation. Initial note includes thorough assessment and proper initiation of therapist driven protocol(s) which encompass frequency and duration of therapeutic regimen. Follows therapeutic goals outlined through Therapist Driven Protocol (TDP). Paperwork completed for oncoming shift- ensuring Cardex and treatment cards being thoroughly completed. Clearly and accurately completes extended therapy sheets utilized for EMR downtime, special procedure forms utilized for all patient care areas. Order derived from TDP is entered/updated in EMR. Patient/family education is documented in EMR. Updraft Nebulizer Therapy/Metered Dose Inhaler/IPPB/USN Therapy performed as ordered and/or as revised per TDP (i.e. frequency, dosage, and time). UDN and MDI determined as appropriate for patient or interaction with MD has generated appropriate therapy. Changes in therapy are pursued and transcribed per TDP. Patient is closely monitored for adverse reactions/effects. Any adverse reactions are entered into occurrence reporting tool and are communicated to the appropriate MD and manager. Interaction with MD has generated appropriate therapy. Incentive Spirometry Patient Volumes and effort are recorded in EMR. Goals adjusted to achieve maximum patient effort. ABG Analysis and Oximetry ABG obtained without causing unnecessary trauma to the patient. Blood Gas controls properly run and analyzed. Any necessary action taken is recorded in corrective action log. Pulse oximetry results are closely monitored and documented properly. Provides recommendations to physicians for appropriate use of pulse oximetry. Overnight Saturation studies are initiated, and reports generated before end of shift. Nursery & Pediatric Procedures Able to utilize designated mechanical ventilator in infant mode. Provides patient/family education when appropriate. Oxygen rounds done accurately with room to room checks and are completed no later than the middle of the shift. Oxygen therapy initiated in accordance with TDP and followed as ordered by provider. Oxygen equipment is changed as needed or as delineated by policy. Oxygen therapy is closely monitored and adjusted with pulse oximetry and appropriate recommendations are made to covering provider. Responds to all Trauma Team and PCI Team Activations, Code Blue and RRT. Takes immediate steps in establishing the airway including endotracheal intubation. Maintains skills required for intubation/or exhibits competency within a 6-month period. Anticipates the patient’s immediate needs and is aggressive in resuscitation efforts. Makes proper recommendation for oxygen delivery devices. Utilizes portable vent when transporting intubated patients. Performance of Critical Care Procedures Institutes standing ventilator orders per policy. Documents changes in parameters, performs ABG after ventilator is initiated and patient is stabilized. Performs Spontaneous Breathing Trial and documents spontaneous mechanics as ordered. Performs cuff pressure checks and documents results every 6 hours and as needed/shift. Correctly assesses the ventilated patient’s status and communicates this to the appropriate team members. Works as a team member and communicates effectively with staff and physicians. Makes recommendations concerning ventilator parameters and weaning potential. Displays competency in all modes of ventilatory support. Charge duties Distributes workload amongst staff. Organizes and prioritizes work on shift to assure all work is completed by the end of the shift to include turning around of equipment and stocking of supplies. Exhibits good judgment in independent decision making as relates to clarification of orders for respiratory therapy procedures. Communicates all problems to Manager Respiratory & Pulmonary Services. Takes appropriate steps when faced with a void in staffing according to departmental policy. Other duties as consistent with this role.

Requirements

• Current NH license as a Respiratory Care Practitioner, RCP, required
• Basic Life Support required
• National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC)
• Must have experience in the above therapeutic modalities
• Display ability to work in a team environment
• An equivalent combination of education and experience which provides proficiency in the areas of responsibility listed above may be substituted for the above education and experience requirements
• Must be able to perform all essential functions of this position with reasonable accommodation if disabled

Nice To Haves

• Competency/Education Maintains initial and annual equipment competencies as developed by the RT Clinical Coordinator and approved by Manager Respiratory & Pulmonary Services.
• Completes Computer Based Learning Assignments by due date.
• Maintains a keen interest in the latest trends in Respiratory Therapy and exhibits understanding/knowledge on a consistent basis.
• Generates/offers new ideas or concepts to promote individual/departmental growth.
• Maintains skills required for intubation/or exhibits competency within a 6-month period.

Responsibilities

• Drawing and analysis of arterial blood gases
• Patient assessments
• Therapist Driven Protocols
• Continuous mechanical ventilator management
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• Bronchial hygiene
• Chest physical therapy
• Oxygen administration
• Hyperinflation therapy
• Aerosol therapy
• Screening Pulmonary function studies
• Performance of emergency procedures
• CPR certification
• Teamwork
• Pulse oximetry
• Cleaning and changing equipment
• Charge duties (work distribution, prioritizing workload for staff, presentation of one topic per year to the Respiratory Therapy staff)
• Maintaining a keen interest in latest trends for the profession
• Performing documentation for all activities as outlined for charge on documentation policy/procedure to include EMR, Cardex and treatment cards
• Ensuring Cardex and treatment cards are thoroughly completed
• Completing extended therapy sheets utilized for EMR downtime
• Completing special procedure forms utilized for all patient care areas
• Entering/updating orders derived from TDP in EMR
• Documenting patient/family education in EMR
• Performing Updraft Nebulizer Therapy/Metered Dose Inhaler/IPPB/USN Therapy as ordered and/or as revised per TDP
• Pursuing and transcribing changes in therapy per TDP
• Monitoring patient for adverse reactions/effects and entering into occurrence reporting tool and communicating to appropriate MD and manager
• Recording Incentive Spirometry Patient Volumes and effort in EMR
• Adjusting goals to achieve maximum patient effort
• Obtaining ABG without causing unnecessary trauma to the patient
• Running and analyzing Blood Gas controls
• Recording any necessary action in corrective action log
• Monitoring and documenting pulse oximetry results
• Providing recommendations to physicians for appropriate use of pulse oximetry
• Initiating Overnight Saturation studies and generating reports before end of shift
• Utilizing designated mechanical ventilator in infant mode
• Performing Oxygen rounds accurately with room to room checks
• Initiating Oxygen therapy in accordance with TDP and following as ordered by provider
• Changing Oxygen equipment as needed or as delineated by policy
• Monitoring and adjusting Oxygen therapy with pulse oximetry and making appropriate recommendations to covering provider
• Responding to all Trauma Team and PCI Team Activations, Code Blue and RRT
• Establishing the airway including endotracheal intubation
• Anticipating patient’s immediate needs and being aggressive in resuscitation efforts
• Making proper recommendation for oxygen delivery devices
• Utilizing portable vent when transporting intubated patients
• Instituting standing ventilator orders per policy
• Documenting changes in parameters
• Performing ABG after ventilator is initiated and patient is stabilized
• Performing Spontaneous Breathing Trial and documenting spontaneous mechanics as ordered
• Performing cuff pressure checks and documenting results every 6 hours and as needed/shift
• Assessing the ventilated patient’s status and communicating to appropriate team members
• Communicating effectively with staff and physicians
• Making recommendations concerning ventilator parameters and weaning potential
• Displaying competency in all modes of ventilatory support
• Distributing workload amongst staff
• Organizing and prioritizing work on shift to assure all work is completed by the end of the shift
• Exhibiting good judgment in independent decision making as relates to clarification of orders for respiratory therapy procedures
• Communicating all problems to Manager Respiratory & Pulmonary Services
• Taking appropriate steps when faced with a void in staffing according to departmental policy

Benefits

• Rate of pay displayed reflects the beginning of the pay scale. At the time of an offer, determination of your offer will reflect your skills and experience as it relates to the position.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree