Respiratory Tech

JOB TITLE:               Respiratory Therapist, with NICU Experience

REPORTS TO:          Director                     COST CENTER: 4480                     

JOB SUMMARY:

Under the general supervision of the Director/Manager, renders professional. Respiratory Therapy in accordance with physician’s therapeutic plan, hospital and departmental guidelines, policies and protocols for standards of care. In doing so, assesses patient’s respiratory condition, plans for therapy, sets up and cares for appropriate respiratory equipment, administers prescribed inhalant medications, provides appropriate patient/family education and documents patient assessments and response to therapies.

Our level 3 NICU respiratory therapists are responsible for neonatal therapeutic equipment and processes including:

• ventilator management with conventional as well as high-frequency oscillatory (HFO) and high-frequency jet (HFJ) ventilation
• High flow nasal cannula setup and maintenance
• Bcpap set up and maintenance
• Medication administration, assessment and airway clearance
• surfactant administration
• assist with intubations
• nitric oxide administration
• blood gas analyzing and interpretation
• blood gas lab organization and maintenance
• Attendance at high-risk deliveries
• Internal transports
  In addition to their duties in the NICU, neonatal RCPs will also work in adult care floors and units when needed.
   

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Service
Consistently supports and communicates the Mission, Vision, and values of St. Joseph Medical Center.
Upholds the Standards of Conduct and Corporate Compliance. Performs arterial blood gas, electrocardiogram, pulmonary function test, electroencephalogram procedures as indicated.
Operates and monitors equipment, such as ventilator, BIPAP, CPAP and inhalant medication delivery systems.
Administers inhalant medication according to physician orders, prescribed departmental and hospital guidelines.
Performs other duties as assigned, i.e. performing echocardiograms, pulmonary function tests and electroencephalograms.

People
Consistently follows patient care, and facility guidelines and procedures in performance.
Collaborates with inter and intra professional colleagues to ensure quality outcomes.
Assesses patient’s respiratory condition, plans for therapy, sets up and cares for appropriate respiratory devices, performs and administers prescribed actions/medications, provides patient/family educations, evaluates patient’s therapy, documents and communicates patient assessments and responses to therapies to nurse, physician and on patient medical record.
Makes regular rounds on assigned patients to ensure physician’s orders are being followed, equipment is in good operational condition and assesses patient’s response to therapy.
Functions as a resource person sharing and providing clinical knowledge with other medical staff as appropriate.
 
Quality:
Completes annual education requirements.
Maintains competency, as evidenced by completion of competency validation requirements.
Promotes of a culture of patient safety which results in the identification and reduction of unsafe practices.
Uses professional judgment and critical thinking to prepare, prioritize, and execute the patient’s plan of care consistent with patient assessment data, physicians’ treatment plans, and professional standards of care. Implements measures to prevent exposure to infectious pathogens and communicable conditions.
Identifies risks and hazards to patients through various risk assessments, with actions taken to mitigate patient harm.
Problem-solves respiratory therapy equipment for malfunction, proactively reports equipment in need of repair as indicated and follows up on status of repair. Other duties as assigned.
 

Growth:

Maintains competency and knowledge of current standards of practice, trends, and developments.
Enhances the patient experience by fostering a positive relationship with customers.
Contributes to improving patient satisfaction results.
Initiates and proactively participates in ongoing quality improvement activities.
Finance: Promotes stewardship of hospital resources while ensuring quality patient care.
 
 
MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Licensed as a Respiratory Care Practitioner accepted by Texas Medical Board
Technical, clerical, critical thinking and interpersonal skills relevant to patient care/area.
Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced
Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) is required.
Pediatric Cardiac Life Support (PALS) certification is to be obtained within 30 days of hire and maintained.
Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification must be held by all respiratory therapist who attend and assist with infants in Labor & Delivery.
Other certification requirements as defined by the certification policy.
Able to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
 
PREFERRED Bi or Multilingual.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER MINORITIES / WOMEN / VETERANS / DISABLED

Salary: $32.10-$43.14