Respiratory Therapist PRN-Nights

ScionHealth•Rahway, NJ

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Respiratory Therapist provides safe and competent respiratory care as ordered by physicians. The role includes monitoring mechanical ventilation, administering medications, assessing patients, understanding hemodynamic monitoring and blood work results, and providing monitoring, teaching, and training. The position is at Kindred Hospital New Jersey - Rahway, a 34-bed long-term acute care hospital located within RWJ University Hospital. The hospital provides extended recovery care and 24-hour clinical care seven days a week. The Respiratory Therapist delivers respiratory care procedures throughout the hospital, maintains accurate documentation and charge capture, and develops and maintains respiratory care components of patient care plans. The role includes operating and troubleshooting respiratory equipment; managing oxygen, aerosol, and ventilation devices; airway management; tracheostomy and endotracheal tube care; supporting diagnostic and therapeutic procedures; and monitoring and documenting patient progress, including readiness for ventilator weaning. The therapist also participates in patient mobility, education, handoffs, care rounds, and staff training.

Requirements

Respiratory Therapy education required to attain credentialing by the National Board for Respiratory Care.
Current Respiratory Therapy license from the appropriate state licensing body.
Current Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) or Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential, or Texas Respiratory Care Practitioner Certification in compliance with the National Board for Respiratory Care Credential Maintenance Program.
Current BLS and ACLS certifications.
Ability to work under stress and respond quickly in emergency situations.
Appropriate interpersonal communication skills when interacting 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 ability.

Nice To Haves

One year of experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Deliver respiratory care procedures in all areas of the hospital in accordance with policies, procedures, and protocols.
Maintain accurate and complete documentation and charge capture for respiratory care procedures.
Develop, document, and maintain respiratory care elements of patient care plans.
Verify and initiate physician orders for respiratory care.
Demonstrate working knowledge of respiratory care instruments and equipment; troubleshoot issues, 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.
Provide airway management, including airway placement, bag-mask ventilation, intubation or assistance with intubation, and scheduled or emergent tracheostomy tube changes.
Use safe and appropriate suction techniques and artificial airways.
Initiate and perform CPR.
Provide 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 and document appropriate interventions.
Perform and document timely spontaneous breathing trial assessments for weaning readiness.
Initiate and advance mechanical ventilator weaning in accordance with 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 as required.
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 and 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.