Respiratory Therapist - ECMO - FT

About the role

Provides appropriate respiratory care specific to the pediatric population in accordance with the hospital policy/procedure. Assesses, plans and implements appropriate respiratory plan of care based on the cardiopulmonary needs of the patients. Evaluates effectiveness of plan of care and recommends revisions to the multidisciplinary care team.

Responsibilities

• Assesses/reassesses the cardiopulmonary needs of the pediatric patient according to the department/area standards.
  • Identifies education needs of patient/caregiver.
  • Identifies appropriate goals/outcomes and actions for clients (i.e. individualized, prioritized).
  • Maintains charts that contain patient pertinent identification and therapy information.
  • Maintains respiratory therapy equipment to ensure equipment is functioning safely and efficiently.
  • Performs broncho-pulmonary drainage and assist or instruct patients in performance of breathing exercises.
  • Conducts lung capacity tests to evaluate patient’s cardiopulmonary functions.
  • Provides emergency care, including artificial respiration, external cardiac massage, and assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
  • Completes all required respiratory therapy competency tests within specified timeline.
  • Demonstrates competency in identified technical skills for the respiratory department at the specific work area.
• Manages the ongoing process of healthcare delivery to ECMO patients and families:
  • Participates in the evaluation of patients as potential ECMO candidates.
  • Works in collaboration with Perfusion to manage ECMO cannulation, decannulation, and stabilization procedures.
  • Prepares and operates clinical equipment and circuitry per ECMO procedures/policies.
  • Accurately assess and review with physician and ECMO team, pathophysiological changes within the patient and ECMO circuit.
  • Based on clinical assessments, contributes to the development of individualized age and developmental appropriate plan of care with patient and family.
  • Participates in ECMO case review and assists team members in defining learning outcomes.
  • Participates in the collection/review of quality improvement initiatives and data for the ECMO program and ELSO data.
  • Develops individualized patient/family plan of care using practice guidelines/protocols to meet identified needs.
  • Utilizes assessment data from the healthcare team to individualize appropriate goals and actions for the patient, including collaboration with the family and the healthcare team.
  • Utilizes individualized assessment data to develop the patient/family’s plan of care.
  • Formulates goals and outcomes based on assessment data.
  • Revises plan of care based on patient’s condition, interdisciplinary input, and family needs.
  • Demonstrates ability to prioritize patient interventions based on assessments/reassessments.
  • Uses available staffing resources to support patient care needs as appropriate.
  • Implements Plan of Care:
    • Oversees that the plan of care/goals are coordinated, implemented, evaluated, and revised as needed.
    • Identifies the need for interdisciplinary involvement/outside resources and follows through.
    • Uses appropriate resources (CNC, Educator, PCM, MD, etc) to ensure that clinical outcomes are achieved.
    • Incorporates critical thinking into the delivery of clinical skills and in analyzing patient response to orders, tests, labs, medications, and treatments.
    • Demonstrates clinical competence in administering interventions according to identified standards and age specific needs.
    • Provides and/or coordinates with other disciplines patient/family education according to identified care needs, considering assessment of patient/family’s readiness to learn.
    • Works in collaboration with ECMO Team to assess clinical status and related lab results (ACT levels, blood gases and metabolic status).
    • Notifies ECMO physician of clinical status/lab values, performing appropriate interventions and implementing physician orders within established guidelines/ECMO policy and procedures.
    • Manages ECMO flow in relationship to established clinical parameters.
    • Reviews daily parameters with the ECMO Team.
    • Performs, manages and troubleshoots activated clotting times (ACT) as per ECMO protocol including management and administration of heparin drip per ECMO protocol.
    • Administers all blood products/medications appropriately when ordered to be given through the ECMO circuit.
    • Maintains and effectively assesses ECMO circuit function.
    • Performs all circulatory technical skill with efficiency, accuracy and safety while anticipating, troubleshooting, intervening and managing crises/emergency situations according to policy and procedure maintaining professional composure.
    • Role models proficiency in documenting appropriately by assimilating information related to interventions, plan of care and anticipated outcomes accurately into all ECMO records and teaching documents.

Requirements

• Minimum 2 years’ experience as a Respiratory Therapist required, experience with pediatric patients and critical care preferred.
• Previous ECMO experience preferred.
• Must be able to perform a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature, without loss of efficiency or composure, and be able to perform under stressful conditions when confronted with multiple requests, demonstrating prioritizing skills.
• Excellent communication, assessment and patient care skills, as well as flexibility and ability to function in a high stress environment.
• Flexibility to work full time day/night shifts with possible over time during ECMO run.
• Current and valid Nebraska license as a Respiratory Care Practitioner Required.
• RRT - Registered Respiratory Therapist upon hire Required.
• Current and valid National Registered Neonatal/Pediatric Respiratory Therapist (RRT-NPS) credential within three years of hire.
• Current and valid Basic Life Support (BLS) through the American Heart Association is Required.
• PALS - Pediatric Advanced Life Support within 180 Days Required.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited AMA approved school of respiratory care accredited by the National Board of Respiratory Care Required.
• Associate's Degree from an AMA accredited college or university in respiratory care Required.
• Bachelor's Degree from an AMA approved accredited school in respiratory care Preferred.

Skills and Abilities

• Must be able to perform a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature, without loss of efficiency or composure, and be able to perform under stressful conditions when confronted with multiple requests, demonstrating prioritizing skills.
• Excellent communication, assessment and patient care skills, as well as flexibility and ability to function in a high stress environment.
• Flexibility to work full time day/night shifts with possible over time during ECMO run.

Benefits

Varied schedules to include weekend and holiday patterns, 7am-7pm or 7pm-7am.

Pay

$15,000 bonus for external candidates only.

Schedule

FT, 7pm -7am with rotating weekends and holidays.