Registered Respiratory Therapist FT Children's Nights 7p-7a 72hr/pp - Bronson Methodist Hospital

Location: Bronson Methodist Hospital (BMH)

About the role

Under general supervision from the Respiratory Manager and/or Director, and in accordance with organizational policies and guidelines, the Registered Respiratory Therapist routinely functions in patient care areas of the hospital. This role follows provider prescriptions and/or established policies and procedures to initiate and administer respiratory care to patients with cardiopulmonary abnormalities and deficiencies. The therapist serves as a knowledge resource to providers, nurses, and other hospital team members regarding advanced respiratory diagnosis and rehabilitation.

Responsibilities

• Provides respiratory therapy to patients and communicates findings to appropriate personnel.
• Evaluates objective and subjective patient information in a logical and thorough manner, discussing conclusions with providers and nurses to resolve patient problems promptly.
• Routinely evaluates blood gases (both invasive and non-invasive) and suggests therapy changes based on results.
• Communicates ventilator recommendations to providers and nursing based on patient evaluation and blood gases.
• Checks that provider orders are complete and administers therapy accordingly.
• Performs all respiratory therapies (age-specific) in accordance with provider orders, protocols, or guidelines.
• Explains therapy to patients in understandable terms according to age/learning capabilities.
• Assesses patient response to therapy and modifies therapy according to respiratory protocols.
• Administers, assesses, and titrates oxygen therapy.
• Notifies Manager, nursing personnel, and providers of any adverse patient reactions.
• Performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation and assists with “Code Blue” as necessary, arriving in a timely manner and performing appropriate life support according to BLS, ACLS, NRP, and PALS guidelines.
• Assists providers or performs (if competency complete) tracheal intubation.
• Maintains artificial airways (endotracheal tube and tracheostomy tubes) in accordance with department policy (e.g., suctioning and securing endotracheal tubes).
• Assures tube security and repositions endotracheal tubes according to policy.
• Appropriately utilizes infant and pediatric resuscitation equipment in emergency situations, including PEEP adaptions and pop-off valves.
• Provides assistance with patient and family education along with other members of the healthcare team.
• Performs basic pulmonary function testing, EKGs, arterial blood gases, pulse oximetry, end tidal CO2 monitoring, and transcutaneous oximetry in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.
• Assists with bedside bronchoscopies, intubations, and extubations in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.
• Performs naso-tracheal, endo-tracheal, tracheal suction, and sample collections in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.
• Assists with patient transport via walking, wheelchair, gurney, or crib for safe delivery of continuum of care; may assist with ambulance transports between facilities.
• Accurately communicates patient diagnosis and therapy at change of shift reports.
• Accurately charges patients for all therapies performed.
• Takes an active role in the supervision and instruction of Respiratory Care students, completing the required preceptor course and working with students to develop their clinical skills.
• Works in response to fluctuations in patient census and relative value units, including overtime and shift changes as needed.
• Maintains and cleans respiratory equipment for readiness and supply availability.
• Orients and instructs others (new department personnel, nursing, students, and respiratory personnel) in Respiratory Care procedures as required.
• Attends in-services and online learning, complying with minimal working requirements and education without prompting from management.
• Participates in department and hospital-wide organizational process improvement activities.
• Actively participates in departmental quality assurance and hospital-wide organizational performance improvement initiatives.

Requirements

• Associate’s degree in Respiratory Therapy (AS); Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Current Respiratory Therapist license in the State of Michigan is required.
• For anyone hired after 2004, Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credentials are required within 1 year of hire.
• Completion of an accredited Respiratory Therapy program (certificate, diploma, AS degree) and 5 years of experience (Bachelors preferred).
• Must attend and become certified in AHA courses: BLS, ACLS, PALS, and AAP-NRP per site requirements.
  • BLS certification required within 3 months of hire.
  • ACLS, PALS, and NRP certifications required within 1 year of hire (site-specific).

Work Environment

• Work produces levels of mental/visual fatigue typical of jobs with frequent and significant uncontrollable deadlines.
• Involves operation of and attention to a personal computer or CRT up to 40 percent of the time.
• Requires considerable standing or walking, regular lifting of light-weight objects (up to 50 pounds), and assisting with heavier tasks such as lifting and moving patients.
• Occasionally required to stoop, crouch, or kneel, and move quickly to gather equipment and medication for emergency situations.
• Assumes minor straining or fatiguing positions, and performs fatiguing physical motions.

Benefits

• Sign-On Bonus for External Candidates: Up to $5,000.00
• Retention Bonus for External Candidates: $10,000.00

Schedule

• Full time, 12-hour night shift (7:00 PM – 7:00 AM), 72 hours per pay period.
• Scheduled weekly hours: 36