Job Description

Job Summary: This is a PRN position. Administers respiratory care and life support to patients with abnormalities of the cardiopulmonary system. Performs diagnostic tests of the pulmonary system to aid physicians in diagnosis and treatment of lung disorders. Assist Nursing in providing overall patient care and attending to the patient’s needs. Participates in performance improvement activities.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assists Nursing with routine patient care, attends to patient needs additional to Respiratory services, participates in team-building approach to patient care
• Demonstrates ability to assess patients and formulate a plan of care based on the patient’s age.
• Able to formulate a plan of care under the guidance of Respiratory Protocol / Consult and Ventilator Protocol.
• Able to enter Protocol orders electronically.
• Knowledge about respiratory medications and their routes of delivery. (MDIs, aerosols, ventilators)
• Able to perform airway control and maintenance (suctioning, hygiene, adjuncts)
• Knowledge about administration of oxygen. (devices, safety, titration)
• Able to interpret and take physician orders timely and accurately.
• Able to perform all aspects of arterial blood gas analysis. (obtaining samples, analyzing, interpretation, machine maintenance)
• Able to set up, maintain, and trouble shoot mechanical ventilation.
• Able to perform and do basic interpretation of pulmonary function studies.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skill required to treat newborns needing resuscitation.
• Able to teach patients about their home respiratory treatment plan.
• Documentation meets current standards and policies.
• Assists director in the development, implementation and evaluation of QI indicators to improve patient outcome and work environment.
• Treats patients and their families with dignity and respect while identifying and addressing their psychosocial needs and plan of care.
• Demonstrates ability to clean equipment as per policy.
• Inspects and tests respiratory equipment to ensure that it is functioning safely and correctly.
• Communicates appropriately and clearly to physicians, staff, department director, medical director and administrative team.

Requirements

Professional Requirements:

• Adheres to dress code, appearance is neat and clean.
• Completes annual educational requirements
• Maintains regulatory requirements, including all state, federal and CMS regulations.
• Maintains and ensures patient confidentiality at all times.
• Reports to work on time and as scheduled, completes work within designated time.
• Wears identification while on duty, uses computerized time clock system correctly.
• Reads and signs all departmental correspondences, performs department in-services, completes and returns in a timely fashion.
• Maintains current knowledge by reading / attending educational presentations.
• Works at maintaining a good rapport and a cooperative working relationship with physicians, departments and staff.
• Represents the organization in a positive and professional manner.
• Actively participates in the departments CQI activities.
• Ensures compliance with policies and procedures regarding department operations, fire, safety and infection control.
• Complies with all organizational policies regarding ethical business practices.
• Communicates the mission, vision, core values, ethics and goals of the hospital as well as the mission statement of the department.

Position Qualifications:

• Minimum Education: Graduate of AMA approved school of Respiratory Therapy.
• Minimum Experience: Previous experience in all aspects of respiratory care preferable.
• Minimum Field of Expertise: Basic Computer knowledge. Ability to use ABG analyzer, ventilators, IPPB, and Pulmonary Function equipment.
• Req. Certification/Registration: Current Respiratory Care Practitioner license in the State of Kansas, ACLS, BLS and NRP, PALS affirmed.