Respiratory Therapist (Crt/Rrt) - Full Time Nights, Float

This position exists to be responsible and accountable for the administration of comprehensive respiratory care services and for appropriate documentation in the medical record of the therapy provided. Requires knowledge of behaviors, developmental stages, physical and emotional needs. Life cycle changes, culture, comfort and care appropriate to the population served. This position maintains proficiency in pediatric and adult care techniques as applicable. The colleague in this job description must be willing and able to carry out and complete the duties, responsibilities, requirements and tasks of the job description as deemed appropriate to the job, the facility and administration. The Respiratory Therapist is expected to work within the established standards of practice, regulatory agency requirements, applicable laws or regulations, The Joint Commission and other accrediting bodies.

Position Qualifications

Education: 

Requires graduation from a CoARC accredited Respiratory Care Program. Requires Associates degree in Respiratory Care.  Successfully completed the NBRC examination for Certified Respiratory Therapist.

Certifications/Experience: 

• Must have Indiana State licensure in Respiratory Therapy or be in the application process with proof of application status upon hire.
• Preferred minimum of 1 year’s acute care clinical experience working in the field of Respiratory Therapy. New graduates of a Respiratory Therapy program having had ICU clinical rotations will be considered.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) required
• ACLS and NRP required within 6 months of hire; PALS preferred.
• Requires knowledge of experience in all phases of respiratory care involving general and critical care. Requires ability to apply complex technical knowledge in order to effectively utilize all types of respiratory care equipment. Requires thorough knowledge of cardiopulmonary anatomy and physiology and pulmonary pathology as it applies to all modes of therapy in respiratory care. Requires working knowledge of pharmacological agents that are commonly used in the application of respiratory care. Requires proficiency in assisting with intubations, turning, and proning patients. Requires knowledge of indications and contraindications associated with all modalities used in respiratory care. Possesses superior communication skills, demonstrate the ability to work in a team environment.
• Basic knowledge of patient documentation, email and computer skills.

1. General Responsibilities

1. Treatment Implementation: Understands all oxygen therapies. Administers aerosol and MDI treatments, PEP, high flow cannulas w/heated humidity, Bipaps/Cpap, oximeter, incentive spirometry, bedside spirometry, chest percussion therapy, diaphragmatic and pursed lip breathing, suctioning, ventilators, assisting with intubations and extubations, ETCO2 monitoring and ABGs. Performs EKG's, EEG/EMG and PFT’s (if applicable and competency trained). Understanding of Respiratory medications indications and contraindications and adverse reactions. Responds, initiates, and participates in resuscitation efforts for Code Blue and RRT. Understands and practices universal precautions, proper PPE and isolation techniques. Follows equipment cleaning, disinfecting according to manufacturer’s cleaning Assess the patient in a systematic, organized manner.
2. Provides patient care according to physician's written orders and respiratory therapy protocols within the scope of respiratory therapy practice, including turning, proning and participation in lifting patients as part of a multidisciplinary team. Educates patient and family on disease processes follows Respiratory guidelines.
3. Assess the patient in a systematic, organized manner. Provides patient care according to physician's written orders and respiratory therapy protocols within the scope of respiratory therapy practice, including turning, proning and participation in lifting patients as part of a multidisciplinary team. Educates patient and family on disease processes.
4. Prepares and maintains patient and departmental medical records according to organizational and departmental guidelines. Ensures physician's orders for therapy is carried out and patient is evaluated for therapy. Accurately communicates patient information and thoroughly documents respiratory therapy actions. Practices AIDET. Observes and reports changes of patient condition to MD/RN or other related member of health care team.
5. Provides continuity of care with accurate and thorough departmental and rounding report in SBAR form. Collects patient data relative to immediate patient condition and anticipated needs. Communicates information appropriately with Medical Staff and other members of the health care team to promote continuity of care and attainment of patient expected outcomes. Adapts teaching to the educational level and cognitive state of each patient to promote maximum understanding. Consistently provides outstanding service to all patients, physicians, fellow employees, and guests as appropriate to position.
6. Consistently demonstrates behavior which reflects that working as a team is more important than self-interest. Establishes and maintains a positive and effective working environment and working relationships within the Respiratory department and other medical team members, patients, and patient's family member(s). Protects and maintains confidentiality of patients/co-workers, respecting their dignity, privacy, diversity and differences. Acts professionally as patient and department team member advocate.
7. Practices continuing competency in Respiratory Care, and individual professional growth. Completes organizational, hospital and department specific competencies and the Advanced Learning Center assigned competencies. Attends mandatory in-services and other mandatory competencies required by JC and ISBH. Actively participates in department committees and group meetings with a focus on providing input to improve the quality of services. Maintains awareness and follows Joint Commission regulations and participates in Joint Commission tracers. Follows all organizational, hospital and departmental policies and procedures and protocols.
8. Communicates effectively with the department leader to ensure that problems or opportunities to improve unit activities are addressed.
9. Attitude - Provides highest quality service and meeting customers' needs with utmost kindness, care, compassion, courtesy, empathy, respect and friendliness. Always acknowledges and serves customers with a friendly, open smile and direct eye contact.
10. Appearance - Takes pride in personal appearance, the facility and its surroundings.
11. Commitment to Coworkers - Recognizes we are linked to one another by a common purpose; serving our diverse patients and our community, that we are team members with our physicians and co-workers, and that we each deserve respect and support.
12. Communication - Listens attentively to our customers to fully understand needs. Pays close attention to both verbal and non-verbal communication. Is committed to exceeding customers' expectations and providing more than what is expected.
13. Customer Waiting - Provides prompt service, keeps customers informed regarding the time in which the service will be performed and makes customers comfortable while they are waiting.
14. Privacy – Maintains customer privacy and confidentiality
15. Responsiveness - Acknowledges every approaching patient or family member. Responds in a way that demonstrates the care, courtesy and respect our customers deserve.
16. Safety Awareness - Ensures an accident-free environment. Establishes, promotes and monitors a proactive innovative approach to enhance hospital and patient safety. Adheres to and ensures compliance with Joint commission Patient Safety Goals and hospital safety policies.
17. Sense of Ownership - Demonstrates a sense of ownership in their job, takes pride in what they do, and how they do it. Accepts responsibility for and is in control of the job that needs to be done
18. Team Member is accountable for areas of responsibility meeting regulatory requirements including but not limited to maintaining annual TB testing, completing annual mandatories (ALC and competency), and maintaining current registration/certification/licensures as appropriate to position requirements.