Respiratory Therapist

Mercyhealth Wisconsin and Illinois•Freeport, IL

80d•$31 - $47•Onsite

About The Position

The Respiratory Therapist performs routine therapies that aid in the treatment, diagnosis, and evaluation of cardiopulmonary status. This role involves initiating, monitoring, evaluating, and weaning invasive and non-invasive ventilation, making parameter recommendations based on clinical assessment, technical assessment, patient compliance, patient response, laboratory values, and patient status. The therapist also initiates and provides ongoing evaluation of treatment regimes, including medication delivery and oxygen administration through therapist-driven protocols, by performing patient assessments to determine needs related to treatment therapies, frequencies, and duration. They assess patients clinically before and after treatment, recommend appropriate therapy changes, and monitor, assess, educate, and document patient and/or family on therapies, medications, goals, and equipment. The role requires timely, complete, and accurate documentation in the patient electronic medical record and departmental records. Competence in the set-up, calibration, and troubleshooting of mechanical ventilators, non-invasive ventilation devices, therapeutic bronchoscopies, and pulmonary function screens is essential. The therapist is responsible for cleaning, assembling, and maintaining equipment, stocking supplies, performing and documenting emergency rounds, oxygen saturation checks, and titrating oxygen per protocol. Therapies are performed in strict compliance with universal precautions and proper body mechanics, using sound judgment. The therapist responds to emergent care situations, assists with resuscitation, and transports adult patients on mechanical ventilators, non-invasive ventilation devices, and critically ill patients to intrahospital procedures. They provide developmentally appropriate care for various patient populations, including pediatric and adult patients, considering age-related and other physical, psycho-social, and cultural needs. Proficiency in processing and interpreting point-of-care blood gases, glucose, and electrolytes is maintained, with collaboration on quality control. On-call coverage may be required as needed. Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited Respiratory Care Program
RRT- CRT will be accepted for RTs that are not eligible for RRT. All other CRTs must earn RRT within 1 year of hire.
CPR
NRP within 90 days of orientation, for those departments requiring delivery attendance
IL and/ or WI Respiratory Care Practitioner license
Passing the WI Caregiver Background Check and/or IL Health Care Workers Background Check.
Must be able to follow written/oral instructions.
Good mathematical and interpersonal skills

Responsibilities

Performs routine therapies that aid in the treatment, diagnosis, and evaluation of their cardiopulmonary status.
Initiate, monitor, evaluate, and wean invasive and non-invasive ventilation. Makes parameter recommendations based on clinical assessment, technical assessment, patient compliance, patient response, laboratory values, and patient status.
Initiates and provides on-going evaluation of treatment regime including medication delivery and oxygen administration through therapist driven protocols by performing patient assessments to determine the needs related to treatment therapies, frequencies, and duration of treatment regime ordered by physician.
Assesses patients clinically before and after the administration or application of any medication, procedure, or device; recommends appropriate therapy including initial therapy, changes in therapy, and discontinuation.
Monitors, assesses, educates, and documents the patient and/or family on therapies, medications, goals of therapies, and equipment during treatment.
Documents work timely, completely, and accurately including documentation in the patient electronic medical record and departmental records.
Demonstrates competence in the set-up, calibration, and troubleshooting of mechanical ventilators, noninvasive ventilation devices, therapeutic bronchoscopies and pulmonary function screens.
Cleans using high level disinfection, assembles, and maintains equipment and the stocking of departmental supplies.
Performs and documents emergency rounds, oxygen saturation checks, and titrates oxygen per protocol during oxygen and aerosol rounds.
Performs therapies in strict compliance to universal precautions and proper body mechanics, using sound judgment in evaluating situations, and taking appropriate action when necessary.
Responds to emergent care situations in the hospital and assists with resuscitation by providing chest compressions, airway management, airway stabilization, and ventilatory support in accordance with the American Heart association guidelines and as directed by the Code Team Leader.
Transports adult patients on mechanical ventilators, non-invasive ventilation devices, and critically ill to intrahospital procedures and testing.
Provides developmentally appropriate care to support the various patient populations during their hospitalization. Demonstrates competence in the care of pediatric and adult patients (when/if assigned to these patients) relative to determining each patient’s age related and other physical, psycho-social, and cultural needs.
Maintains proficiency in the processing and interpreting of point of care (POC) blood gases, glucose, and electrolytes; and collaborates on quality control with the POC Coordinator (at applicable locations only).
May require on call coverage as needed.
Performs other duties as assigned.