Respiratory Therapist FT Nights

Kindred Healthcare•Sugar Land, TX

About The Position

Kindred Hospital Houston Sugarland and Acute Rehabilitation Unit provide specialized care for patients with complex medical needs. The LTACH provides advanced hospital-level treatment for chronically and critically ill patients who need extended stays, while the Acute Rehabilitation Unit helps patients recover from acute injuries, impairments, or illnesses. Both settings collaborate with physicians to provide continuous clinical care. The Respiratory Therapist administers safe, competent respiratory care as ordered by physicians. The role includes monitoring mechanical ventilation, administering medications, assessing patients, understanding hemodynamic monitoring and blood work, and monitoring, teaching, and training patients and families.

Requirements

Respiratory Therapy education required to attain credentials from the National Board for Respiratory Care.
Current Respiratory Therapy license from the appropriate state licensing body.
Current certified credential compliant with the National Board for Respiratory Care Credential Maintenance Program.
Current BLS and ACLS certifications.
Ability to work under stress and respond quickly in emergencies.
Effective interpersonal communication with healthcare team members, patients, and families.
Understanding of lifespan growth and development and ability to provide appropriate care to adult and geriatric patients.
Ability to work cooperatively as part of a team.
Good and regular attendance.
Fluent English reading, writing, and speaking skills.

Nice To Haves

One year of experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Deliver respiratory care procedures throughout the hospital according to policies, procedures, and protocols.
Maintain accurate and complete documentation and charge capture for respiratory care procedures; develop and maintain respiratory care elements of patient care plans.
Verify and initiate physician orders for respiratory care.
Use respiratory care instruments and equipment competently; troubleshoot, resolve problems, and perform proper disinfection and sterilization.
Initiate, monitor, and maintain oxygen and aerosol delivery devices and non-invasive and invasive mechanical ventilation devices.
Perform airway management, including airway placement, bag-mask ventilation, intubation or assistance with intubation, tracheostomy tube changes, suctioning, and artificial airway care; initiate and perform CPR.
Perform tracheostomy, endotracheal tube, and oral care.
Implement one-way speaking valve trials according to physician orders.
Assist physicians with diagnostic and therapeutic bronchoscopy procedures.
Complete initial and ongoing decannulation risk assessments, interventions, and documentation.
Assess and document spontaneous breathing trials for weaning readiness; 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 ABG analyzer quality control and maintenance.
Perform and document patient and family education.
Provide and receive accurate, 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 as clinically indicated.
Assist with orientation and training of new employees and students, and precept new employees during orientation.
Perform other related duties as assigned.