Paramedic Inpatient / Respiratory Therapy, FT, 7 pm - 7:30 am, every 4th weekend

• Initial Assessment: ◦ Collects and documents data related to patient’s individualized care. ◦ Demonstrates age-specific competency in assessment of patients by the ability to obtain and interpret information in terms of the patient needs, knowledge of growth and development, and understanding of the range of treatment needed by these patients. ◦ Assesses patient/family need for education and uses an individualized approach in delivery style. ◦ Assesses family expectations for, and involvement in the assessment and continuous care or treatment of the patient. ◦ Identifies collaborative problems, and/or protocols for each patient, based on assessment, at the time of admission.

• Reassessment: ◦ Performs reassessment based on unit standards, protocols and changes in patient condition. Communicates changes to appropriate persons (RN, Supervisor/Charge Nurse, MD, family) as indicated.

• Utilizes assessment data to individualize patient care and transport needs.

• Utilizes assessment data from the healthcare team to individualize actions for the patient, including collaboration with the family and the healthcare team.

• Utilizes individualized assessment data to develop the patient/family’s plan of care.

• Revises plan of care based on patient’s condition , interdisciplinary input, and family needs.

• Demonstrates ability to prioritize patient interventions based on assessments/reassessments.

• Implements and evaluates actions in accordance with the individualized patient/family plan of care and patient condition/needs. ◦ Incorporates critical thinking into the delivery of clinical skills and in analyzing patient response to orders, tests, labs, medications, and treatments. ◦ Uses appropriate resources (Supervisor/Charge Nurse, Manager, Educator, MD, NP, PA, etc) to ensure that clinical outcomes are achieved. ◦ Demonstrates clinical competence in administering interventions according to identified standards and age specific needs. ◦ Prioritizes and organizes care based on patient acuity, time limitations and consultation with RN or physician. Initiates action to prevent current or potential risk to a patient in an emergency situation.

• Respiratory Therapy only: ◦ Set up and operate devices such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, and aerosol generators, following specified parameters of treatment. ◦ Determine requirements for treatment, such as type, methods and duration of therapy, precautions to be taken, and medication and dosages, compatible with physician’s orders. ◦ Read physicians’ orders, measure arterial blood gases, and review patient information to assess patient’s condition. ◦ Explain treatment procedures to patients to gain cooperation and allay fears. ◦ Monitor patient’s physiological responses to therapy such as vital signs, arterial blood gases and blood chemistry changes and consult with physician if adverse reactions occur. ◦ Enforce safety rules and ensure careful adherence to physicians’ orders. ◦ Maintain charts that contain patient pertinent identification and therapy information. ◦ Inspect, clean, test, and maintain respiratory therapy equipment to ensure equipment is functioning safely and efficiently and notify manager/supervisor when repairs are necessary. ◦ Educate patients and/or their families about the patient’s condition and teach appropriate disease management techniques such as breathing exercises and the use of medications and respiratory equipment. ◦ Perform broncho-pulmonary drainage and assist or instruct patients in performance of breathing exercises. ◦ Provide emergency care, including artificial respiration, external cardiac massage and assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation. ◦ Complete all required respiratory therapy competency tests within specified timeline.

• Demonstrate competency in identified technical skills for the respiratory department at the specific work area.

• Entries into in the electronic medical record follow documentation policy.

• Documentation is accurate and completed within established timeframes. Pain assessments are evident with every vital sign, painful procedures and prn. Evidence is found for reassessment of pain within 30-60 minutes.