Registered Respiratory Therapist - $15,000 Sign-on Bonus

About the role

A registered respiratory therapist at Mahaska Health is responsible for delivering various therapy modalities to patients as ordered by a provider or based on an approved protocol for the administration of oxygen, aerosol, or bronchodilator drugs. The position includes managing ventilators, performing diagnostic procedures, and assisting with critical procedures.

Responsibilities

• Performs various therapeutic treatments including, but not limited to, aerosolized medications, mucus clearing procedures, endotracheal and nasotracheal suctioning, sputum induction and incentive spirometry.
• Manages ventilators and other diagnostic or monitoring devices.
• Keeps appropriate clinical and clerical patient records.
• Performs patient assessment and education, explaining treatments and procedures to patients.
• Interacts with home health care services, while serving as a resource for other health care professionals and the community.
• Performs various diagnostic procedures including EEG’s, arterial blood gas sampling and analysis, weaning and ventilation studies, continuous, spot check and nocturnal oximetry, pulmonary function studies and end tidal CO2 monitoring.
• Performs cardiac procedures including Holter monitoring and analysis, cardiac stress/echo tests, and event monitoring.
• Sets up and monitors oxygen therapy utilizing oxygen protocol and provider’s orders.
• Sets up, performs, checks on and troubleshoots adult mechanical ventilators, adult CPAP/BIPAP systems and arterial lines.
• Aids in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, intubation, extubating, trauma care, code team, transporting of patient in house and provides respiratory support during critical procedures.
• Assesses possible discharge needs at time of admission, throughout hospitalization, and finalizes discharge planning with input from the interdisciplinary team, the patient, patient’s family, and other available resources.
• Aid in the mentoring and orientation of new personnel to the unit.
• Uses current system to receive patient orders, perform charges and enter ABG results.
• Implements and documents quality improvement activities to ensure optimum performance in all aspects of the Respiratory care department.
• Maintains positive working relationships with the healthcare team, patient/client, family, and caregivers.

Requirements

• State of Iowa Respiratory Care license required with CRT or RRT credentials.
• A graduate from an AMA-approved school of Respiratory Care.
• Minimum 1-year previous cardiac rehabilitation experience.
• Ability to manage problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations. Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to change and learn when necessary for efficient department/clinic operations.
• Required to be current in BLS (Basic Life Support) by the standards of the American Heart Association.
• Must adhere to all training requirements as mandated by Federal, State, and Professional licensure and regulatory standards.