Respiratory Care Practitioner I – St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital

Summary Of Primary Function/General Purpose Of Position

The Respiratory Care Practitioner is responsible for providing respiratory care through patient assessment, planning, intervention, education, and evaluation. Performs all respiratory care procedures within scope of license. Monitors the patient's response to therapies and makes recommendations to change or modify based on the assessment.

Essential Job Functions

• In collaboration with the interdisciplinary care team, conducts initial and ongoing patient assessment, analyzes assessment data, creates a plan of care, implements treatment, and evaluates treatment effectiveness.
• Performs treatments and therapies according to physician orders. Explains therapy and therapeutic goals to patient; modifies treatment procedures based on patient response. Sets up and maintains different modes of therapy.
• Determines appropriateness of prescribed therapy and recommends methods to physician to achieve therapeutic goals.
• Maintains proper documentation, patient medical charting and recordkeeping. Maintains established policies and procedures, objectives, quality assurance program, safety, environmental, and infection control standards.
• Provides patient education on cardiopulmonary diseases/disorders and associated treatment options. Instructs patient and patient’s caregiver(s) in incentive spirometer, metered dose inhaler (MDI) administration, oxygen therapy, home aerosol therapy, or ventilator care, if applicable.
• Sets up and maintains respiratory therapy equipment and supplies.
• May serve as a preceptor to new team members and/or students.
• Responds to cardio-pulmonary resuscitations and actively participates as indicated by clinical circumstances.

Licensing/Certification

• Current Respiratory Care License in the state they are working (required)
• National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) credentialed (required)
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) (preferred)

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in a related field (preferred)

Work Experience

• Previous working experience in an ambulatory or acute care setting (preferred)
• 6 months Respiratory Therapy experience in a general care area (preferred)

Training

• EPIC Electronic Health Record (EHR) training (preferred)

Patient Population – Competency is based on the patient population of the site/facility

• Neonates (0-4 weeks)
• Infant (1-12 months)
• Pediatrics (1-12 years)
• Adolescents (13-17 years)
• Adults (18-64 years)
• Geriatrics (65 years and older)

Skills

• Strong interpersonal skills and able to effectively interact with patients, their families, physicians, and other staff members
• Good communication skills
• Able to effectively work with diverse people
• Good customer service skills
• Good organizational skills and time management skills
• Good oral and written communication
• Able to receive feedback
• Able to gather and interpret data
• Able to administer non-invasive respiratory therapy equipment such as oximeters or end-tidal CO2 analyzers
• Able to perform therapeutic procedures including CPAP/BiPap, jet aerosol, oxygen therapy, incentive spirometry, chest physiotherapy, pulse oximetry, high flow oxygen, continuous aerosols, ventilator management, diagnostic testing
• Understanding of EKGs, electronic monitoring, lead placement, and basic arrhythmias
• Able to perform arterial blood gas punctures and testing
• Able to perform airway maneuvers
• Able to interpret chest X-rays

Working Conditions

• Periods of high stress and fluctuating workloads may occur
• May be exposed to physical altercations and verbal abuse
• May be exposed to high noise levels and bright lights
• May be exposed to limited hazardous substances or body fluids
• May be exposed to human blood and other potentially infectious materials

Benefits

• Competitive pay, incentives, referral bonuses and 403(b) with employer contributions (when eligible)
• Medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage, HSA/FSA options, life insurance, mental health resources and discounts
• Paid time off, parental and FMLA leave, short- and long-term disability, backup care for children and elders
• Tuition assistance, professional development and continuing education support