Respiratory Care Practitioner II - Memorial Regional Medical Center

About the role

Bon Secours exists to enhance the health and well-being of all people in mind, body and spirit through exceptional patient care. The Respiratory Care Practitioner II is responsible for providing respiratory care through patient assessment, planning, intervention, education, and evaluation. Performs all respiratory care procedures including oxygen and aerosolized medication delivery, ventilator care, bronchial hygiene therapy, diagnostic services and patient and staff education. Monitors the patient's response to such therapies and makes recommendations to change or modify based on the assessment.

Essential Functions

• May serve as shift "Charge Therapist" with responsibility for ensuring adequate number of respiratory care staff to cover patient care areas, including assigning staff to work areas, modifying assignments, assisting with meal coverage, fielding call offs and providing adequate staffing levels for the next shift
• May assist physician performing procedures such as bronchoscopy, transtracheal catheter insertion, tracheotomy intubation (if performed by respiratory therapy in the facility), assists with tracheostomy endotracheal tube changes and invasive monitoring
• Performs CPR including closed chest compressions and airway management techniques in accordance with AHA ACLS protocol
• Conducts prescribed therapeutic procedures to achieve maintenance of a patient airway, including use of appropriate airways including endotracheal tubes, nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal airways, maintenance of airway humidification, aspiration of secretions, extubation, maintenance of correct ETT cuff pressures and documents procedures in patient and department records
• Selects, assembles, monitors and evaluates mechanical ventilators for proper function and operation, including correction of malfunctions, cleanliness and determines appropriateness use for patient condition
• May perform pulmonary function tests (PFT)
• Serves as a preceptor to new team members and/or students
• Assesses patient's physical status by inspection, palpation, auscultation, percussion, patient behavior and reviewing existing data in patient's record
• Performs treatments according to physician orders, explains therapy and therapeutic goals to patient; modifies treatment procedures based on patient response
• Determines appropriateness of prescribed therapy and recommends methods to physician to achieve therapeutic goals including IPPB, Aerosol therapy, Postural drainage and percussion, ultrasonic nebulizer, incentive spirometry, metered dose inhalers and spacers
• Sets up and maintains different modes of oxygen therapy to maintain adequate PaO2's with accurate inspired levels of oxygen
• Administers intermittent positive pressure breathing (IPPB) or Aerosol Therapy by preparing prescribed medication and adjusting the machine or device to accomplish patient's individual clinical needs; documents and observes patient's vital signs, productivity of cough, relief of dyspnea, improved breath sounds and any adverse reactions
• Gives postural drainage, vibration, percussion to ensure proper drainage of bronchial secretions using manual or mechanical percussion; checks orders and X-rays for segments to be treated; performs auscultation prior to and after procedure
• Instructs patients and families in incentive spirometer, metered dose inhaler (MDI) administration, postural drainage and clapping, oxygen therapy, ventilator care and home aerosol therapy
• Procures sputum for culture and sensitivity or airway clearance either by patient coaching, administration of mucolytics, aerosol therapy or endotracheal/nasopharyngeal suctioning
• Evaluates normal and pathologic blood and urine laboratory value ranges
• Performs arterial punctures and analysis; has in-depth knowledge of analysis and arterial blood gas (ABG) interpretation. Performs arterial line procedures, takes safety precautions, sterile procedure, flushing, and ABG aspirations
• May perform EKG's; understands electronic monitoring, lead placement, and basic arrhythmias
• Maintains all Respiratory Therapy equipment and supplies
• Responds to cardio-pulmonary resuscitations and actively participates as indicated by clinical circumstances

Requirements

• Current Respiratory Care License in the state they are working (required)
• National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) credentialed (required)
• BLS Basic Life Support - American Heart Association (required)
• ACLS Advanced Cardiac Life Support - American Heart Association or Red Cross (required)
• PALS Pediatric Advanced Life Support - American Heart Association (required)
• Two years of experience as a Respiratory Care Professional (required)
• Valid driver's license (required for Home Care/DME)

Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor's Degree related to Respiratory Therapy/Healthcare/Healthcare Admin/Business Admin (preferred)
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) (preferred)
• NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program) - AAP/AWHONN (preferred)
• Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT) (preferred)
• Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT) (preferred)
• ACCS (Adult Critical Care Specialist) - NBRC (preferred)
• 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
• Accountability
• Knowledge of non-invasive respiratory therapy equipment such as oximeters or end-tidal CO2 analyzers
• Therapeutic Procedures to include 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
• Arterial blood gas punctures and testing
• Airway maneuvers
• Bedside pulmonary function
• Patient assessment
• Patient education
• Knowledge of chest suction equipment
• Knowledge of chest X-ray interpretation
• EPIC Electronic Health Record (EHR) training (preferred)

Pay

Minimum: $30.99 • Maximum: $48.04

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