Respiratory Care Practitioner II — Southside Regional Medical Center — PRN

Bon Secours is a faith-based, patient-focused organization dedicated to enhancing health and well-being through exceptional patient care, grounded in compassion, collaboration, excellence, and respect.

About the Role

The Respiratory Care Practitioner II provides respiratory care through patient assessment, planning, intervention, education, and evaluation. This role performs all respiratory care procedures, including oxygen and aerosolized medication delivery, ventilator care, bronchial hygiene therapy, diagnostic services, and patient and staff education. The practitioner monitors patient responses to therapies and recommends changes based on assessments.

Responsibilities

• May serve as the shift "Charge Therapist," ensuring adequate respiratory care staffing to cover patient care areas, including assigning staff, modifying work assignments, assisting with meal coverage, and addressing call-offs to maintain staffing levels for the next shift.
• May assist physicians with procedures such as bronchoscopy, transtracheal catheter insertion, tracheotomy intubation (if performed by respiratory therapy in the facility), 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 maintain a patient airway, including use of appropriate airways (endotracheal tubes, nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal airways), maintenance of airway humidification, aspiration of secretions, extubation, and maintenance of correct ETT cuff pressures; 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 appropriateness 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 the patient's record.
• Performs treatments according to physician orders, explains therapy and therapeutic goals to the patient, and modifies treatment procedures based on patient response.
• Determines appropriateness of prescribed therapy and recommends methods to the 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 levels with accurate inspired oxygen levels.
• Administers intermittent positive pressure breathing (IPPB) or aerosol therapy by preparing prescribed medication, adjusting the machine or device to meet the patient's clinical needs, documenting and observing vital signs, cough productivity, relief of dyspnea, improved breath sounds, and adverse reactions; uses judgment and technical skill to determine possible adverse reactions and suggest appropriateness of therapy.
• Provides postural drainage, vibration, and percussion to ensure proper drainage of bronchial secretions by using manual or mechanical percussion; checks orders and X-rays for segments to be treated prior to initiating treatment; auscultates before and after the procedure to note clearance of secretions and response to therapy.
• Instructs patients and families in incentive spirometer use, 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 through 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, including in-depth knowledge of ABG interpretation; performs arterial line procedures, including safety precautions, sterile procedures, flushing, and ABG aspirations.
• May perform EKGs; 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

• Bachelor's Degree in Respiratory Therapy, Healthcare, Healthcare Administration, or Business Administration (preferred).
• Current Respiratory Care License in the state of employment (required).
• National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) credential (required).
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) (preferred).
• 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).
• 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).
• Valid driver’s license (required for Home Care/DME).
• Two years of experience as a Respiratory Care Professional (required).

Skills & Abilities

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to effectively interact with patients, families, physicians, and other staff members.
• Good communication and customer service skills.
• Good organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to receive feedback, gather and interpret data, and demonstrate accountability.
• Knowledge of non-invasive respiratory therapy equipment such as oximeters or end-tidal CO₂ analyzers.
• Proficiency in therapeutic procedures, including CPAP/BiPap, jet aerosol, oxygen therapy, incentive spirometry, chest physiotherapy, pulse oximetry, high flow oxygen, continuous aerosols, ventilator management, and diagnostic testing.
• Understanding of EKGs, electronic monitoring, lead placement, and basic arrhythmias.
• Experience with arterial blood gas punctures and testing, airway maneuvers, bedside pulmonary function, patient assessment, and patient education.
• Knowledge of chest suction equipment and chest X-ray interpretation.

Pay

Minimum: $30.99 per hour
Maximum: $48.04 per hour

Benefits

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