Sr Respiratory Care Practitioner - Full Time - Nights

JOB SUMMARY

At Houston Methodist, the Sr Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) position is an experienced and competent therapist who is responsible for performing advanced procedures as assigned; examples include and are not limited to: intubation, advance pulmonary diagnostics, endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS), electromagnetic navigation, extracorpeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), etc. This position performs all duties assigned to a RCP and participates in developing and teaching in-services/programs for the respiratory staff, quality improvement initiatives, research programs, and departmental committees or subcommittees. The Sr RCP position serves as a mentor and resource to Respiratory Care team members and students by utilizing skills and knowledge to help train and achieve optimum performance levels in specialized areas such as ICU and NICU. This position works independently, exercising sound judgment and executing above average clinical skills on challenging procedures and patient care situations. The Sr RCP position may assume duties associated with coordinating activities within the Respiratory department.

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVED
Refer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.
• Focuses on patient/customer safety
• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards
• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)
• Intentionally rounds with patients/customers to ensure their needs are being met
• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports byenabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Job responsibilities labeled EF capture those duties that are essential functions of the job.

PEOPLE - 20%

1. Contributes to teamwork by awareness of overall patient workload, consistently offering assistance, and responding positively to requests for assistance. Offers guidance to interprofessional health care team, when appropriate, and applies feedback to improve patient outcomes. (EF)
2. Facilitates open, professional (verbal, nonverbal, written) communication which includes active listening and teaching to achieve mutual understanding, role modeling by example. Communication to promote both work efforts and problem resolution is clear, providing the highest quality service during every customer and patient encounter. (EF)
3. Guides and mentors other Respiratory Care Practitioners and students to help build confidence in skills, knowledge and abilities. Teaches, orients and precepts newly hired Therapists. Uses peer-to-peer accountability towards improvement of department score for employee engagement. (EF)

SERVICE - 30%

1. Provides patient teaching based on learning needs, uses appropriate resources, incorporating planning for care after discharge. Consistently evaluates the patient’s comprehension and adapts teaching methods accordingly. (EF)
2. Serves as the primary therapist for performing advanced treatments, as assigned, such as but not limited to: intubation, advance pulmonary diagnostic, endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS), electromagnetic navigation, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), etc. (EF)
3. Coordinates various activities within the respiratory department and assumes other duties in the absence of a team lead/or coordinator, as assigned. Serves as a resource for department-related needs such as: specialty equipment or software implementation. (EF)
4. Helps drive improvement of department score for patient satisfaction, through peer-to-peer accountability for service standards. (EF)

QUALITY/SAFETY - 30%

1. Provides direct assistance to physicians, performing tests as ordered, assessing and assuring quality, acceptability and reliability of results; takes corrective action and involves others as needed toward achievement of this end. (EF)
2. Troubleshoots, calibrates and performs preventive maintenance and quality control on all equipment and analyzers per department guidelines, documenting activities. Assembles, prepares, cleans and operates bronchoscopy equipment, monitoring equipment and accessories in accordance with manufacturing recommendations and department guidelines. Reports malfunctions. (EF)
3. Utilizes clinical judgement, using an analytical approach. Assists with implementation and teaching of department-based safety initiatives and standards of practice. Identifies trends and opportunities for corrective action and process improvement, providing recommendations. Contributes to meeting department and hospital targets for quality and patient safety. (EF)

FINANCE - 10%

1. Accurately documents all patient care and respiratory-related activities and procedures in the appropriate documentation system. Enters charges at the time service is delivered. (EF)
2. Uses resources efficiently; does not waste supplies. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively, minimizing incidental overtime, and prioritize daily tasks, optimizing efficiency and other areas according to department specifications. (EF)

GROWTH/INNOVATION - 10%

1. Identifies and presents areas for innovation, efficiency and improvement for department projects and shared governance activities. Participates in one or more department committees or subcommittees and facilitates the accomplishment of the goals of the committee or subcommittee. (EF)
2. Seeks opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development as a Respiratory Care Practitioner. Completes and updates the My Development plan on an on-going basis. (EF)
3. Fosters a positive and constructive teaching environment by engaging students and co-workers in learning opportunities that are valuable and in alignment with business objectives. (EF)

This job description is not intended to be all inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

o Graduate of education program approved by the credentialing body for the required credential(s) indicated below in the Certifications, Licenses and Registrations section.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

o Four years experience as a Respiratory Care Practitioner of which at least two in a critical care level (preferred at HMCCH). May consider HM employee with at least three years of RCP experience with one year as a HM RCP

o Neonatal experience preferred

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED

o Licensed as a Respiratory Care Practitioner by the Texas Medical Board (TMB-RCP)

o Registered as Respiratory Therapist by National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC-RRT)

o American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS)

o American Heart Association Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)

o One of the following specialty credentials preferred: Adult Critical Care Specialist (ACCS), Neonatal Pediatric Specialist (NPS), Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT), Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT), Sleep Disorders Specialist (SDS), Certified Asthma Educator (AEC), Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist (CTTS), or Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT)

o American Heart Association Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)*

o American Heart Association Pediatric Life Support (PALS)*

*preferred, depending on area assigned

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

o Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

o Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

o Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

o Possesses basic computer knowledge; operates multiple computer systems to maintain patient and exam documents

o Ability to work independently; capable of handling challenging/difficult procedures and patient care situations; demonstrates sound judgment and executes above average clinical skills

o Exhibits strong interpersonal and team player skills with all levels of the healthcare team and assures delivery of excellent customer service to all patients, visitors, physicians and co-workers

o Adapts to multiple ongoing priorities with minimal supervision including, organizing work flow and actively participating in problem-solving

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Work Attire Yes/No

Uniform No

Scrubs Yes

Business professional No

Other (dept approved) Yes

On-Call* Yes, as required by entity/department for operational need

*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (i.e., Disaster, Severe Weather Event, etc.) regardless of selection above

Travel**

May require travel within Yes

Houston Metropolitan area

May require travel outside No

of Houston Metropolitan area

**Travel specifications may vary by department.

Since its founding in 1919, Houston Methodist Hospital has earned worldwide recognition. Houston Methodist Hospital is affiliated with the Weill Medical College of Cornell University and New York-Presbyterian Hospital, one of the nation's leading centers for medical education and research.  In 2020, U.S. News & World Report named Houston Methodist Hospital to its top ranked Honor Roll for the fourth time and second consecutive year. 2020 also marked the ninth year in a row Houston Methodist Hospital has been named the No. 1 hospital in Texas. Houston Methodist Hospital directs millions of research dollars into patient care and offers the latest innovations in medical, surgical and diagnostic techniques. With 952 operating beds, 85 operating rooms and over 8,000 employees, Houston Methodist offers complete care for patients from around the world.

The same high-quality care for which Houston Methodist is known is available at several Emergency Care Centers in Houston and the surrounding areas.  These Emergency Care Centers house exam rooms, full digital radiography suite, low radiation dose 16-slice CT scan, ultrasound and a full on-site stat chemistry lab.