Respiratory Therapist III (Department Promotional Only)

San Mateo Medical Center (SMMC) is a public hospital and clinic system fully accredited by The Joint Commission. The Medical Center operates outpatient clinics throughout San Mateo County and an acute-care hospital in San Mateo. The mission of San Mateo Medical Center is to "partner with patients to provide excellent care with compassion and respect." As part of an integrated health system, the Medical Center serves the healthcare needs of all residents of San Mateo County, with an emphasis on education and prevention.

About the role

Under general supervision, the incumbent will provide lead direction to professional staff providing respiratory care diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and clinical evaluations of care; establish therapeutic objectives and review care based on the age and needs of patients. The ideal candidate will value integrity, dignity, and service excellence in a team-oriented environment.

Responsibilities

• Plan, assign, review and oversee the work of professional respiratory therapy staff.
• Assess shift operations and fluctuating workloads and take appropriate actions to meet workload demands.
• Coordinate work efforts of staff by identifying and prioritizing tasks to be completed.
• Update work schedules based upon staffing changes/needs.
• Complete and/or facilitate administrative tasks associated with shift operations.
• Ensure appropriate notification, both verbally and in writing, to on-call management and supervisory staff.
• Evaluate all patients that may present difficult clinical situations as well as patients that may require alteration of their prescribed respiratory care.
• Ensure quality of care by making rounds.
• Assess, plan and provide individual care for patients in compliance with physician's orders.
• Administer all respiratory care and diagnostic procedures and techniques such as oxygen therapy, humidity and aerosol therapy, bronchopulmonary segmental drainage, intermittent positive pressure breathing, sustained maximal inspiration and continuous mechanical ventilation, end total CO2 monitoring, and pulse oximetry.
• Perform special respiratory care such as bedside monitoring, evaluation of cardio-respiratory performance, management on and weaning from mechanical ventilation, and advanced life support or intensive care support.
• Advise physicians, other medical staff or administrative staff of clinical problems or patients requiring further evaluation.
• Perform CPR and administer drugs in accordance with departmental procedures.
• Perform pulmonary function testing (willingness to learn and become a Registered Pulmonary Function Technician will be considered).
• Perform oxygen and equipment rounds; troubleshoot equipment problems; perform regular equipment maintenance, preparation, cleaning and sterilization.
• Collect and interpret arterial blood gases.
• Document respiratory care procedures in medical records.
• Present in-service educational classes.
• Ensure compliance and participate in quality assurance programs.
• Assist other staff with complex treatment modalities or in difficult clinical situations.

Requirements

• Graduation from a Respiratory Therapy Program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).
• Three years of journey level experience including two full years in a critical care setting.
• Possession of a valid registration as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
• Possession of a valid California Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license.
• Possession of valid Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification.
• Possession of valid Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification.
• Possession of valid Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• At least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, extra-help/limited term position with San Mateo County Health.

Skills

• Knowledge of theory, practices, and procedures of respiratory care and therapy.
• Emergency medical respiratory care.
• Operation, care, and maintenance of respiratory care equipment.
• Principles, methods, and techniques of respiratory therapy equipment.
• Principles and practices of CPR, including ACLS and PALS.
• Use, purpose, and effect of indicated drugs used in the course of respiratory therapy.
• Policies and practices of recording and maintaining information related to patient care.
• Practices and procedures related to Pulmonary Functions, Arterial Blood Gases, Cardiac Output, Oxygen Consumption, and Electrolytes and nutritional requirements as they impact respiratory therapy.
• Ability to provide all facets of respiratory care and diagnostic procedures.
• Make independent judgments in providing appropriate respiratory care.
• Work under pressure, exercising good judgment and common sense while making sound decisions in emergency situations.
• Properly use equipment used in the course of providing respiratory care.
• Assess, evaluate, and administer respiratory care drugs.
• Proper handling and routing of defective Respiratory Care Equipment to Biomedical Engineering for service and/or repair.
• Deal tactfully with patients and physicians.
• Assist in instructing and training others.
• Follow written and oral directions, procedures, or instructions.
• Knowledge of hospital information systems (EPIC) and associated point-of-contact (POC) systems is preferred.
• Excellent critical thinking and interpersonal skills.

Schedule

This is a regular, full-time position.