Job Description

Kern Medical has been a community cornerstone since its founding in 1867. Today, we are an acute care teaching center with 222 beds, offering the only advanced trauma care between Fresno and Los Angeles. Kern Medical cares for 15,500 inpatients and 125,000 clinic patients a year.

• Per Diem employees supplement department staffing needs, with no guarantee of minimum hours.
• Per Diem minimum scheduling expectation is four (4) shifts per four-week schedule.

Position: Respiratory Therapist IV - Per Diem

Distinguishing Characteristics

This is the highest level in the Respiratory Therapist flexible classification series. The Respiratory Therapist IV is fully competent in the use of the most complex treatment techniques and assists in training others in these techniques. This level works with a minimum of supervision and carries out routine medical technical therapeutic and diagnostic procedures, and may be assigned off-site to perform duties that are consistent within this classification.

This level is distinguished from the Respiratory Therapist III classification by requiring a higher level of accredited respiratory therapy education and professional credentialing. It is further distinguished by its responsibility to serve as lead practitioner for specified hours or shifts.

Essential Functions

• Administers IPPB therapy.
• Performs humidity and aerosol therapy.
• Administers medical gas and pulmonary drainage procedures.
• Performs cardiorespiratory resuscitation, electrocardiography testing, and related procedures.
• Administers aerosolized drugs.
• Provides continuous mechanical ventilation; maintains artificial airways.
• Performs more complex pulmonary function testing.
• Performs arterial blood gas sampling.
• Cleans and prepares equipment; performs routine mechanical maintenance on respiratory therapy equipment.
• Makes periodic and emergency checks on respiratory therapy equipment installations.
• Operates analyzers to determine saturation of oxygen and other gases in the blood.

Essential Functions (continued):

• Serves as a knowledge resource to the physician and hospital staff in relation to the technical aspects of respiratory care and the effectiveness of methods to administer safe respiratory therapy.
• Provides suggestions regarding the patients' treatment and pulmonary progress; instructs the patient and his family in the use of equipment and techniques involved in self care; provides instruction to patients and family in the nature of cardiorespiratory disease and its ramifications.
• Develops individual exercise routines, bronchial clearing procedures, evaluation and monitoring techniques for each patient.
• Implements infection control and demonstrates knowledge of aseptic techniques.
• Responds to emergency calls throughout the hospital.
• Documents care given; maintains records of treatment given; generates necessary documents for charges or record keeping.
• Conducts quality assurance monitors.
• Dependent upon area of practice or department assignments, demonstrates clinical knowledge and skill in the care of the newborn, infant, toddler, child, adolescent, adult and geriatric patient ranging up to 100+ years of age.

Other Functions

• Assists with maintenance and processing of equipment and products used in providing cardiopulmonary services.
• Assists with bronchoscopies.
• Provides assistance in cardiorespiratory rehabilitation.
• Participates in training and supervision of new employees; assists in the instruction of nursing personnel in surveillance of patient and equipment after initial installation.
• Performs other job-related functions as required.

Employment Standards

Appointees not possessing the American Heart Association Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) card at time of hire must successfully complete appropriate training and qualify for the RQI Provider certification within 60 days of employment. As a continued condition of employment, employee must maintain RQI Provider certification and competency.

Registration: Registered with the National Board for Respiratory Care as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).

Licensure: Possession of a valid, current license as a Respiratory Care Practitioner, issued by the State of California.

Depending on assignment incumbents may be required to possess and maintain specific certificates of competency as a condition of employment.

Possession of a Class C California Driver’s License may be required by assignment to off-site locations.

Knowledge of

Operating principles of commonly used types of ventilators and respiratory care equipment, including intermittent positive pressure breathing apparatus, nebulizers, humidifiers and oxygen analyzers; cardiopulmonary physiology, electrocardiography testing and related equipment used in testing and diagnostic studies, the chemistry of gases in respiratory therapy and the symptoms common to patients suffering respiratory ailments.

Ability to

Learn and conduct diagnostic tests such as EEG, EKG, Pulmonary Function and Echocardiograms; explain and teach others the fundamentals of respiratory therapy, cardiopulmonary services, electrocardiography testing and related procedures; the use of respiratory equipment and how to adjust the equipment to individual patient needs; implement goal oriented ventilator management with close interaction with physicians and nurses; interpret arterial blood gas results and recommend appropriate action so timely therapy changes can be made; understand hospital routine and organization; work with medical staff and patients.

Supplemental:

A background check may be required for this classification.

All Kern Medical employees are designated “Disaster Service Workers”. In the event of a disaster or civil disorder, all Kern Medical employees are to remain at work or to report to work in a safe and practicable manner.

If position responsibilities require driving a personal vehicle, then possession of a current valid California Driver’s License and adherence to the Kern County Hospital Authority Vehicle Use and Driving Standard Policy (ENG-EC-119) is required.

If position responsibilities require driving a vehicle owned, leased or rented by Kern Medical, then possession of a current valid California Driver’s license, a signed authorization for Release of Drivers Record Information and adherence to the Kern County Hospital Authority Vehicle Use and Driving Standard Policy (ENG-EC-119) is required.