REGISTERED, RESPIRATORY THERAPIST - WESTMORELAND MANOR

Job Summary

The Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRT) provides all modes of respiratory care and diagnostics, on physician order, within the Critical Care, General Care Medical/Surgical units, and specialty departments as required. Acts on a broad knowledge base and experience in working with physicians and other health-care providers. This is accomplished without direct supervision in most cases. The Registered Therapist may act as a resource person for other members of the department.

Essential Job Functions

• Performance of Technical Practice
  • Provides highly technical Respiratory Care procedures in any environment following unit specific orientation
  • Initiates and maintains ventilator management for patient on life support except at Westmoreland Manor
  • Performs arterial puncture and blood gas analysis
  • Provides cardiopulmonary resuscitation for all age groups served
  • Maintains and monitors the function of all Respiratory Care equipment in use
  • Acts as a resource to other health care providers, regarding clinical issues
• Patient Care
  • Assesses patients for require respiratory care services. Reassesses daily or as often as necessary
  • Administers inhaled medications, monitors patient reaction to medication, reports response and/or adverse reaction to nurse and physician
  • Provides patient and family or care giver with education related to disease process or dysfunction, therapy ordered, medication, dosage, methods and equipment use and functions
  • Participates in interdisciplinary care-planning process as required by various nursing or patient care units, and in discharge planning process as needed
• Clinical Decision-Making
  • Assimilates large quantities of data while caring for critically ill patients
  • Modifies and directs respiratory care procedures and diagnostics, based on acquired data and patient clinical findings
  • Assists with the coordination of patient care relating to cardiopulmonary dysfunction, in co-operation with the physician, nurse, and other health care providers
• Policy and Procedure
  • Understands department policy and procedure to assure compliance with same
  • Avoids deviation from policy and/or procedure preventing the potential for adverse effect either on an employee, patient or visitor
  • Reviews departmental policy and procedure on an annual basis and make recommendations for appropriate changes
• Communication
  • Provides clear, concise, organized written and oral communication to management and staff
  • Interacts effectively with physicians, patients, management and co-workers
  • Documents in a neat, timely and legible fashion as appropriate
  • Documents in EMR per department guidelines
  • Serves as a liaison and positive role model to other departments
  • Communicates directly with physician regarding patient respiratory status, recommendations for therapy, and diagnostic testing
  • Takes and transcribes verbal and telephone orders from physicians
  • Maintain supply and inventory in assigned areas
  • Notifies appropriate personnel of stock depletion as it occurs
  • Keeps department and other areas of responsibility clean and orderly
  • Other duties as assigned
• Specialty Functions
  • Information Processing
    • Transcribes and carries out orders correctly
    • Utilizes all applicable information systems appropriately
    • Charges equipment, supplies and services accurately
  • Quality Assessment and Improvement
    • Demonstrates ongoing awareness and participation in quality improvement program
    • Responds with improved performance to results obtained from QA monitors
    • Identifies problems and reports to manager when appropriate
  • Locates and uses reference manuals
    • Maintains a working knowledge of department and system policy and procedure
    • Locates and uses department and system protocols, procedures, and policy manuals such as infection control, MSDS, OSHA, and on line policy manuals
  • Performs specialized procedures, tasks, and functions. These may vary between entities and not all RCPs will perform these functions. Specialized orientation/training will be provided to RCPs performing the following tasks:
    • Performs therapeutic and diagnostic bronchoscopy procedures
    • Completes blood gas and electrolyte analysis
    • Performs all required diagnostic pulmonary function testing
    • Completes pulmonary stress and metabolic testing
    • Functions as a member of the Rapid Response team
    • Participates as an integral member of emergency resuscitation teams serving all age groups
    • Performs EKG's
    • Performs Intravenous Catheter Insertion and Phlebotomy on Patients

Required Qualifications

• Graduate of a Co ARC (Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care) approved Respiratory program required with minimum of three (3) to six (6) months of clinical rotations
• Strong leadership ability, good organizational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, sound judgment
• Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience
• Medical Terminology
• Basic Math and Keyboard Proficiency
• Functional Skills on PC and Related Software (Microsoft Office)
• Knowledge of basic Office Equipment such as copier, fax machine, etc.
• Strong time management; ability to work independently and in a team setting; creativity in treatment in various settings including inpatient, skilled nursing and outpatient clinics; ability to transition smoothly between various treatment settings; flexibility in scheduling
• Ability to communicate with all members of the health care team
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize assignments

Preferred Qualifications

• Critical Care Experience
• ACLS
• Experience in Pulmonary Function testing, bronchoscopies, blood gas analysis, and neonatal mechanical ventilation
• Neonatal resuscitation course
• PALS
• For a long-term care facility, one (1)-two (2) years prior experience in a long-term care facility

License, Certification & Clearances

• Current licensure to practice in the State of Pennsylvania
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) approved curriculum of the American Heart Association (CPR and AED) program
• Act 33 with renewal
• Act 34 with renewal
• Act 73 FBI Clearance

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities, but does serve as a coach and mentor for other positions in the department.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

Incumbents will be scheduled based on operational need (rotate shifts, standby, on-call, etc.). Travel may be expected locally between Independence Health locations.