Registered Respiratory Therapist - Nights

POSITION SUMMARY:

Provides Respiratory Care services in accordance with department policies. Administers, monitors, controls and evaluates complex life support systems that ventilate acute or chronically ill patients. Participates in hospital initiatives and projects.

Position: Registered Respiratory Therapist

Department: IP Respiratory Therapy

Schedule: Full Time, Nights, 36 hours

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

Conducts Respiratory Care services according to department policy and procedure, as assigned, to ensure the quality of care provided to patients.

Reviews the patient chart and accurately interprets the physician's orders.

Sets up appropriate equipment and medication needed for each test and therapy treatment correctly, as observed by observation and documentation.

Administers all tests, treatments and therapy as ordered, as evidenced by hospital documentation, self audit, and supervisory review. Such therapy will include oxygen administration, humidity therapy, airway management, resuscitation mechanical ventilation, and EKG testing.

Documents every patient treatment administered in patient charts, noting response to therapy as evidenced by review of patient documentation.

Delivers, sets up, and safely operates mechanical ventilators and monitors patients receiving mechanical ventilation. Performs endotracheal suctioning and tracheal suctioning as needed. These standards will be reviewed by supervisory observation and hospital documentation.

Makes patient rounds according to assigned department schedules. Observes patient condition, checks operation of equipment, and makes adjustments as necessary. Resolves problems and discontinues therapy as ordered.

Removes equipment from patient rooms and disassembles equipment following department policies.

Recognizes medical problems (i.e., adverse reactions to therapy), discontinues treatment if indicated, and notifies physician immediately. Applies emergency protocols as needed, and alerts Respiratory Care supervisor.

Proceeds to location and assists physicians with establishment and maintenance of patient airway in the event of a cardiac arrest.

Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age groups of neo-natal, pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients regularly served.

Notifies supervisor when patients in age groups not regularly served are present, and seeks assistance from individuals with the knowledge of the specialized needs of such patient age groups.

Performs advanced Respiratory Therapy assignments.

Attends and participates, as directed, in activities of collaborative clinical committees.

Assists in development and implementation of protocols, clinical pathways, policies and procedures.

Provides in-service education to members of Respiratory Therapy Department at least annually.

Assists in development of quality improvement indicators, collecting data, analyzing results, and suggests corrective action.

Performs advanced clinical and technical assignments with critical care patients.

Attends, as directed, and completes Advanced Cardiac Life Support.

Assists with bronchoscopy following department policy and procedure.

Performs pulmonary function testing as directed.

Performs tracheotomy tube changes.

Performs Arterial Blood Gases punctures and/or arterial line samples.

Analyzes blood gas samples according to policy.

Reports results and problem with results and/or equipment to the appropriate personnel.

Performs endotracheal intubation following department policy and procedure.

Maintains clinical competency in areas of Respiratory Care to ensure ability to utilize up to date methods in care giving (the following standards will be reviewed based on self audit, hospital documentation, and supervisory review).

Maintains current Massachusetts License as a Respiratory Therapist and registration by the National Board of Respiratory Care as a Respiratory Therapist.

Attends all mandatory continuous education classes as assigned during the year.

Assumes Charge Therapist responsibilities when and as directed by supervisor.

Participates in non-assigned service related continuing education classes to ensure professional development and license requirements.

Attends all scheduled staff meetings or, if unable, accepts responsibility for reading staff meeting minutes.

Accepts membership in all assigned department or hospital committees or task forces.

Demonstrates knowledge of patient's clinical needs and contacts appropriate personnel to meet identified needs as documented by problem reporting and QI system.

Manages work time in a generally productive and reliable manner.

Ensures maintaining work area clean and organized daily.

Operates assigned equipment and performs all procedures in a safe manner as instructed.

Demonstrates proper body mechanics in all functions as required.

Performs electrocardiograph tests on patients in the various units to discover variations in the heart muscle's electrical activity associated with diseased state in accordance with departmental practices and procedures and manufacturer's procedures.

Conforms to hospital standards of conduct so that the best possible customer service and patient care may be provided.

Conducts interpersonal relationships with patients, visitors, physicians and fellow employees in a courteous, professional and friendly manner. Supports department operations by working harmoniously with coworkers and management when other occasional management intervention is required.

Maintains confidentiality of all personal/health sensitive information..

Utilizes hospital's cultural beliefs as the basis for decision making and to support the hospital's mission and goals.

Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures.

OTHER DUTIES:

Performs other duties as needed.

(The above statements in this job description are intended to depict the general nature and level of work assigned to the employee(s) in this job. The above is not intended to represent an exhaustive list of accountable duties and responsibilities required).

JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

Must have completed a two year AMA approved program in Respiratory Care.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED:

Must have a current license for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a Respiratory Therapist by the hire date.

Must be registered by the National Board of Respiratory Care.

Must have current AHA BLS certification.

EXPERIENCE:

Requires a minimum of two years as a Respiratory Therapist.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

Knowledge of basic medical terminology required.

Demonstrated knowledge of Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, Pulmonary Physics, pulmonary Pathophysiology, Advanced Respiratory Care, Mathematics, Blood Gas Chemistry, and Pharmacology at a level generally acquired through completion of a two year AMA approved program in Respiratory Therapy.

Demonstrated ability to read and communicate in English language.

Must have the ability to prioritize tasks and effectively work in a team environment, as well as excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Requires a caring and sympathetic attitude and ability to explain therapy and goals to patients and family members and to communicate effectively with other health care professionals.

Basic computer proficiency inclusive of ability to enter and access data/information.

Must be able to maintain strict confidentiality of all personal/health sensitive information.

Must have the physical ability to meet core job requirements in accordance with practice setting and demands for the patient populations regularly served.

Compensation Range:

$41.52- $55.88 This range offers an estimate based on the minimum job qualifications. However, our approach to determining base pay is comprehensive, and a broad range o