Respiratory Care Therapist

The Transport Services Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) will provide quality respiratory care, treatment and stabilization of critically ill patients during transport and on code/rapid response calls.
As the code responder/rapid response RRT, the RRT will work in collaboration with the medical control and Registered Nurse (RN) to assess, treat and stabilize the patient/family/visitor until the patient is moved to a higher level of care if indicated.

The RRT will collaborate with healthcare team members and associated resource personnel to problem solve and implement respiratory treatment modalities and interventions to maximize patient outcomes. The RRT is committed to safe operations, premier customer service and excellent clinical practice.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibility A: Responsible for assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating respiratory care to critically ill patients including neonates, pediatric and adult patients in an evidenced-based and family- centered manner during transport and as code/rapid response RRT

• Ability to demonstrate critical thinking skills and evaluate respiratory status of critically ill patients, provide therapeutic intervention, emergency interventions and preparation for transport
• Establishes and maintains artificial airways during transport/code and rapid response team calls
• Assess for and detect changes in the respiratory status of the patient and demonstrate a proactive approach
• Collaborates with other health care team members to problem solve, implement respiratory treatment modalities and interventions in an effort to maximize patient outcomes
• Determines appropriate parameters for mechanical ventilation and monitors effectiveness by blood gas analysis, end tidal CO2 monitoring and pulse oximetry
• Performs advanced skills and procedures as indicated
• Assists the transport RN in any medical interventions deemed necessary
• Provide care within the policies, protocols, guidelines and scope of practice as defined by the State of Texas
• Maintain complete and accurate records

Responsibility B: Demonstrates commitment and dedication to patients and families

• In collaboration with the RN ,keep the family informed of a patient condition and plan of care
• Serves as a patient/family advocate while caring for the patient and family
• Maintains confidentiality concerning patient/family issues

Responsibility C: Demonstrates commitment to program development and quality initiatives

• Demonstrates positive attitude and effective interpersonal skills when interacting with patients, families, visitors and members of the health care team
• Communicates effectively and maintains positive interpersonal relationships in working with colleagues, patients, families, outside institutions/agencies and the public
• Demonstrates the ability to problem solve and adapt to ongoing change and handle conflict management with a professional supportive attitude
• Represents Texas Children’s as a customer service ambassador
• Acts as liaison and participates in outreach marketing and education activities
• Maintains complete and accurate records
• Participate in quality initiative programs, perform data collection and participates in research activities
• Participates in a department or hospital committee
• Supports mission, vision and program goals

Responsibility D: Ensure smooth safe program operations

• Completes all respiratory checks: including equipment checks, supply and medication inventory, maintains a state of readiness
• Plan, organize and position equipment and supplies for use in emergency conditions
• Complete missions initiated within the timeframe of assigned shift with the understanding that completion of these missions may require additional work beyond normal work hours
• Ensures 10 hours of rest time prior to reporting for the scheduled shift
• Demonstrates knowledge of and adherence to safety procedures/standards to ensure safety of self, patient, medical personnel and equipment
• Maintain knowledge in use and routine maintenance of all equipment and supplies
• Responsible for reporting equipment failures and taking initial steps to insure repair of equipment
• Participates in all debriefings- transports/code and rapid response events
• Ensures timely response to campus emergencies by rapid/accurate deployment of the code response team in the Transport Center
• Collaborates with the Transport Center staff to ensure efficient/timely dispatch of the Transport team to referring facilities
• Completes all required daily/monthly checklists

Responsibility E: Responsible for maintaining professional development of self and others

• Maintain clinical competence/expertise across all aspects of respiratory care and treatment –including: intubations/ventilator management/nitric implementation
• Maintain competence in use of systems: Epic/EMS charts and other systems as indicated
• Completes training and development activities by established deadlines
• Participating in mock codes
• Sim Center training
• Consistently participates in education sessions and Quality Council
• Acts as a resource to member of the healthcare team to ensure delivery of quality patient care

Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge of the principals of biological, physical, and social science
• Observation, assessment, intervention, evaluation of respiratory status in critically ill patients
• Administration of respiratory medications and treatments
• Evaluation respiratory treatments
• Ability to demonstrate critical thinking skills and evaluate respiratory status of critically ill patients, provide therapeutic respiratory intervention, emergency interventions and preparation for transport.
• Outstanding customer service skills and communicates effectively. Maintains positive interpersonal relationships and demonstrates flexibility
• Ability to demonstrate expertise in ventilatory management including nitric administration; intubation skills