Respiratory Therapist - Part Time

Cedar County Memorial Hospital•El Dorado Springs, MO

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of the Respiratory Department Leader and the medical direction of the attending physician, the part-time Respiratory Therapist provides comprehensive respiratory care to neonatal, pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients. Care is provided in accordance with physician orders, departmental policies, evidence-based practice, and applicable state and federal regulations. The therapist assesses, treats, monitors, and evaluates patients with cardiopulmonary disorders; administers therapeutic interventions; operates and maintains respiratory care equipment; responds to emergencies; performs diagnostic testing; educates patients and families; and collaborates with the interdisciplinary healthcare team. When assigned, the therapist performs or facilitates diagnostic sleep studies and home sleep testing in accordance with physician orders, accreditation standards, and departmental policies. Sleep diagnostic responsibilities may include oversight of the sleep lab, preparing patients and arranging study preparations, documenting observations, coordinating testing and follow-up, and assisting with CPAP/BiPAP education and mask fitting. This is a part-time position. Hours and schedules are set according to departmental staffing, patient care, and operational needs, and may include days, evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, rotating shifts, or on-call coverage when applicable. Additional hours may be offered or required as permitted by law, policy, and the employment arrangement. The position requires maintaining clinical competency and readiness for assigned duties. The role involves frequent standing and walking; pushing, pulling, and transporting respiratory equipment; and lifting, transferring, or assisting with patients and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds, with assistance or appropriate equipment as needed. Work takes place in patient care environments with potential exposure to infectious diseases, bloodborne pathogens, body fluids, hazardous materials, and medical gases. The therapist uses required personal protective equipment and may work in stressful or rapidly changing clinical situations. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment background check and drug screening, as applicable to the position and consistent with applicable law and hospital policies.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited Respiratory Therapy program.
Current, valid Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license in the State of Missouri, as required by law.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification, or obtain it within the organizational timeframe established by CCMH.
Ability to meet scheduled work requirements and maintain clinical competencies for assigned patient care responsibilities.
Ability to provide safe and effective respiratory care, including knowledge of respiratory care principles, cardiopulmonary physiology, and respiratory disease processes.
Knowledge of mechanical ventilation, airway management, and respiratory pharmacology.
Knowledge of infection prevention, patient safety, emergency response, and applicable regulatory requirements.
Ability to assess patient conditions, recognize changes in clinical status, and prioritize interventions appropriately.
Strong critical thinking, clinical judgment, and decision-making skills.
Effective communication and interpersonal skills; ability to collaborate with physicians, nursing staff, and interdisciplinary healthcare professionals.
Ability to function effectively during emergencies and high-acuity situations.
Knowledge of electronic health record documentation and applicable confidentiality requirements.
Ability to manage assigned responsibilities independently while recognizing when consultation or assistance is needed.
Maintain patient confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA and applicable privacy requirements.
Maintain all required professional licensure and certifications and participate in mandatory education, competency assessments, and required training.
Meet the physical and functional requirements of the role, including responding promptly during emergencies and having sufficient vision, hearing, speech, and manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Nice To Haves

Current Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential; Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) accepted when consistent with state requirements and CCMH policy.
Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) and Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certifications, preferred or required according to assignment and facility policy.
Previous acute care hospital experience.
Sleep technology certification, such as RPSGT or CPSGT, for therapists assigned to sleep diagnostic services.
Knowledge of polysomnography equipment, home sleep testing devices, and sleep medicine practices for employees assigned sleep laboratory responsibilities.

Responsibilities

Assess patients and develop respiratory care plans based on physician orders, protocols, and patient condition.
Administer respiratory medications, aerosol, oxygen, humidity, bronchial hygiene, lung expansion, and other ordered therapies.
Initiate, monitor, troubleshoot, and manage invasive and noninvasive mechanical ventilation within scope and established protocols.
Perform ventilator assessments, adjustments, weaning protocols, and extubation in accordance with orders, protocols, and competency requirements.
Perform arterial blood gas sampling and analyze results.
Perform pulse oximetry, capnography, EKGs, pulmonary function testing, bedside spirometry, and other diagnostic procedures within scope of practice.
Assess patient responses to therapy and communicate findings and recommended treatment changes to physicians and the healthcare team.
Respond to cardiopulmonary emergencies, rapid response events, trauma activations, and cardiac arrests as a member of the resuscitation team.
Assist with airway management, intubation, and emergency respiratory procedures as authorized and trained.
Educate patients and families about respiratory conditions, medications, oxygen therapy, inhaler use, CPAP/BiPAP, and home respiratory equipment.
Document assessments, treatments, interventions, education, and outcomes in the electronic health record.
Operate, calibrate, clean, disinfect, and maintain respiratory equipment according to manufacturer recommendations, infection prevention standards, and departmental procedures.
Maintain oxygen delivery systems, medical gas equipment, and respiratory supplies for patient care.
Participate in interdisciplinary rounds and promptly communicate patient condition changes to appropriate healthcare professionals.
Participate in quality improvement, patient safety, and performance improvement initiatives.
Serve as a clinical resource for respiratory care practices as appropriate to experience and competency.
Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment; complete required documentation, handoffs, and shift communications.
Perform other duties within scope of practice and assigned responsibilities.
Oversee the sleep lab when assigned; prepare patients, explain procedures, obtain necessary documentation, schedule studies, and complete study preparations.
Document sleep study observations in the electronic health record and sleep diagnostic software.
Coordinate sleep testing and follow-up with physicians, sleep specialists, respiratory leadership, and other healthcare professionals.
Assist with CPAP/BiPAP patient education and mask fitting as appropriate, and maintain compliance with applicable sleep laboratory accreditation standards.
Fulfill assigned shifts and scheduling commitments; communicate scheduling conflicts, absences, and availability changes according to policy.
Maintain required licensure, certifications, clinical competency, and readiness through required education, training, competency validation, and continuing development.
Comply with confidentiality, dress code, attendance, safety, legal, accreditation, and organizational requirements, and represent the hospital professionally.
Promote teamwork, collaboration, accountability, and patient-centered care; demonstrate the hospital's mission, vision, and values.