Respiratory Therapist - Full Time 72Hrs/Pp, Night Shift - Bronson Battle Creek

Location: Bronson Battle Creek

About the role

Under general supervision from the Respiratory Manager and/or Director, and in accordance with the policies and guidelines established within the organization, the respiratory therapist routinely functions in patient care areas of the hospital. The respiratory therapist follows provider prescriptions and/or established policies and procedures to initiate and administer respiratory care to patients with cardiopulmonary abnormalities and deficiencies. Serves as a resource of knowledge to providers, nurses, and other hospital team members regarding advanced respiratory diagnosis and rehabilitation.

Responsibilities

• Supports the mission, vision, and values of the hospital.
• Responsible for working in a safe and protective manner at all times.
• Provides patient’s respiratory therapy and communicates findings to appropriate personnel.
• Evaluates objective and subjective information in a logical and thorough manner; discusses conclusions with providers and nurses to resolve patient problems promptly.
• Routinely evaluates blood gases (both invasive and non-invasive) and suggests therapy changes based on results.
• Communicates ventilator recommendations to providers and nursing based on patient evaluation and blood gases.
• Checks that provider orders are complete and administers therapy accordingly.
• Performs all respiratory therapies (age-specific) in accordance with provider orders, protocols, or guidelines.
• Explains therapy to the patient in understandable terms according to age/learning capabilities.
• Assesses the patient’s response to therapy and makes recommendations to the provider accordingly or according to protocol guidelines if appropriate.
• Administers, assesses, and titrates oxygen therapy.
• Assesses patient response and modifies therapy according to respiratory protocols.
• Notifies Manager, nursing personnel, and providers of any adverse patient reactions.
• Performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation and assists with “Code Blue,” as necessary.
• Arrives at “Code Blue” in a timely manner and performs appropriate life support according to BLS, ACLS, NRP, and PALS guidelines.
• Assists provider or performs (if competency complete) tracheal intubation.
• Routinely maintains artificial airways (endotracheal tube and tracheostomy tubes) in accordance with department policy (e.g., suctioning and securing endotracheal tubes).
• Maintains stability of artificial airways, assures tube security, and repositions endotracheal tubes according to policy.
• Appropriately utilizes infant and pediatric resuscitation equipment in emergency situations, including PEEP adaptions and pop-off valves.
• Provides assistance with patient and family education along with other members of the healthcare team.
• Performs basic pulmonary function testing, EKGs, arterial blood gases, pulse oximetry, end tidal CO2 monitoring, and transcutaneous oximetry in accordance with outlined departmental policies and procedures.
• Assists with bedside bronchoscopies, intubations, and extubations in accordance with outlined departmental policies and procedures.
• Performs naso-tracheal, endo-tracheal, tracheal suction, and sample collections in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.
• Assists with patient transport via walking, wheelchair, gurney, or crib for safe delivery of continuum of care; may assist with ambulance transports between facilities.
• Accurately communicates patient diagnosis and therapy at change of shift reports.
• Accurately charges patients for all therapies performed.
• Takes an active role in the supervision and instruction of Respiratory Care students; completes the required preceptor course and works with students to develop their clinical skills.
• Works in response to fluctuations in patient census and relative value units; works overtime when necessary and changes shift hours for department needs.
• Maintains and cleans respiratory equipment for readiness and supply availability.
• Orients and instructs others (new department personnel, nursing, students, and respiratory personnel) in Respiratory Care procedures as required.
• Attends in-services and online learning and complies with minimal working requirements and education without prompting from manager.
• Participates in department and hospital-wide organizational process improvement activities.
• Performs and assumes personal responsibility for related duties as required and/or assigned per site-specific requirements.
• Actively participates in departmental quality assurance and hospital-wide organizational performance improvement initiatives.

Requirements

• Associate’s degree in Respiratory Therapy (AS); Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Current Respiratory Therapist license in the State of Michigan is required.
• For anyone hired after 2004, Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credentials are required within 1 year of hire.
• Must attend courses through AHA: BLS, ACLS, PALS, and AAP-NRP to become certified per site requirements.
• All sites require BLS certification within 3 months of hire; ACLS, PALS, and NRP (site-specific certifications) are required within 1 year of date of hire.
• For Bronson Battle Creek only: Associate’s degree OR graduation from a hospital-based program and 5 years of experience; Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Work Environment

• Work produces levels of mental/visual fatigue typical of jobs that perform a wide variety of duties with frequent and significant uncontrollable deadlines.
• Work may include operation of and full attention to a personal computer or CRT up to 40 percent of the time.
• Involves considerable standing or walking, regular lifting of light-weight objects (i.e., up to 50 pounds), and assisting with heavier tasks such as lifting and moving patients.
• Occasionally required to stoop, crouch, or kneel, and move quickly to gather equipment and medication to respond to emergency situations.
• Minor straining or fatiguing positions must be assumed, and some fatiguing physical motions are required.

Customer Service

Demonstrates adherence to the standards as provided in the Bronson “Commitment to Customer Service,” including Commitment Statements, Quality Service Standards, and the Interaction Process which includes the Service Recovery “AAA Action Plan.” Data gathered via observations, customer surveys, and other written and verbal feedback from customers.

Age-Specific Competencies

The employee must be able to demonstrate the competencies necessary to provide services appropriate to the age of the population served. Data gathered from observation and department records.

Pay

Sign-on bonus for external candidates: up to $5,000.00. Retention bonus for external candidates: $10,000.00.

Schedule

• Full-time, 72 hours per pay period (36 scheduled weekly hours).
• 12-hour night shift.