Respiratory Therapist - Graduate

Children's Hospital and Health System•Milwaukee, WI

About The Position

Children’s Wisconsin is a nationally recognized health system dedicated to children’s health and well-being. The Respiratory Therapist applies scientific knowledge, technical expertise, and theory to clinical problems, using clinical judgment as needed. The role provides therapeutic, diagnostic, consultative, and supportive services for neonatal through adult patients and their families, and actively participates in resuscitative and emergent situations while following professional and hospital standards. The therapist adapts care and communication to patients’ developmental needs, helps patients and families understand procedures and treatments, and provides and documents education to promote wellness and adaptation to illness, injury, health conditions, or special health care needs. The role works collaboratively with the health care team and participates in discharge planning and case management. The position also includes maintaining respiratory care competencies and required certifications, accurately billing for respiratory care modalities, supporting orientation and precepting, and participating in department and hospital education, meetings, improvement activities, research, quality assurance, and cost-reduction measures. The therapist contributes to professional growth and department goals and provides feedback on new products and procedures.

Requirements

Associate’s degree in Respiratory Therapy required.
New graduates must obtain either a valid Wisconsin Respiratory Care Practitioner license or a New Graduate Temporary Certificate, under state conditions, before the start date.
Current employees who graduated before January 1, 2005 may retain the grandfathered CRT credential.
Basic personal computer skills required.
Analytical skills to resolve complex clinical problems relating to respiratory care, patient safety, and patient welfare.
Ability to work independently and use time management, prioritization, and multitasking skills.
Ability to cope with physically and mentally stressful situations.
Interpersonal skills to collaborate with peers, supervisors, and medical staff on patient-care objectives.
Ability to stand and walk for up to 80% of work time when performing assignments or responding to emergency calls.
Ability to push or pull equipment weighing up to 170 pounds and lift equipment or supplies weighing up to 25 pounds.
Ability to lift or move patients ranging from neonates to adults.
Ability to assemble complex equipment and perform fine motor skills.
Wisconsin State License Respiratory Care Practitioner (28) required.
Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care required within 180 days.
BLS-Basic Life Support Healthcare Provider certification from the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, or National Safety Council required.
PALS-Pediatric Advanced Life Support certification from the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, or National Safety Council required within 180 days.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Respiratory Therapy preferred.
Membership in professional associations is encouraged.

Responsibilities

Provide therapeutic, diagnostic, consultative, and supportive respiratory care services to neonatal through adult patients and their families.
Participate actively in resuscitative and emergent situations.
Adapt approaches and communication to patients’ developmental levels and help allay fears by explaining procedures and treatments.
Initiate, perform, and maintain respiratory care competencies in accordance with quality and safety standards; use expected outcomes to guide techniques and patient care.
Prioritize care and apply critical-thinking and decision-making skills.
Perform duties as needed, including orientation, student and staff precepting, and relief charge responsibilities.
Accurately bill for respiratory care modalities.
Maintain applicable competencies for responding to urgent and emergent situations, including BLS, C-spine immobilization, Trauma class, NRP, and PALS.
Collaborate with patients, families, and the health care team in the discharge process and participate in case management.
Provide and document patient and family education to promote wellness and adaptation to illness, injury, health conditions, or special health care needs.
Communicate and collaborate effectively and promptly with the health care team to support efficient patient care.
Maintain productive working relationships, provide constructive feedback, resolve conflicts and issues in a timely manner, and refer matters to management when appropriate.
Keep the supervisor or charge therapist informed about shift activities and workflow issues, and seek guidance from RCS leadership or the Medical Director when appropriate.
Attend educational offerings, in-services, and department and hospital meetings; identify annual professional growth goals with the supervisor.
Work toward department and hospital goals, represent the department on applicable interdisciplinary committees or work groups, and stay current with respiratory care trends and developments.
Participate in new product and procedure evaluations and provide timely feedback.
Participate in unit improvement activities, including continuing education, research, quality assurance, and cost-reduction measures.
Provide care appropriate to the patient population and as described in applicable policies and procedures.