Respiratory Therapist Per Diem Night Shift

POSITION SUMMARY

The Respiratory Care Practitioner is the professional responsible for the provision of respiratory care, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, advanced airway management and related diagnostics. He / she works as a resource person for the nursing staff within the guidelines of department and hospital policies and procedures. Reporting to the Department Manager, the Respiratory Care Practitioner has 12 hour accountability for organizing, planning, directing, coordinating, and providing high quality, individualized care for a defined group of patients care based on the Watson Model of Care, including the identification and demonstration of abilities to meet special needs and considerations of Age and Population Specific awareness. This position requires the full understanding and active participation in fulfilling the Mission of Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital. It is expected that the employee will demonstrate behavior consistent with the Core Values. The employee shall support Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital's strategic plan and the goals and direction of the quality and performance improvement process activities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Knows admitting diagnosis and pulmonary pathophysiology for assigned patients, performs patient assessments and provide appropriate therapy.
• Evaluates and documents data obtained from respiratory monitoring devices on assigned patients.
• Evaluates patient's response to all respiratory care provided and appropriately documents required information as outlined in department policies and procedures.
• Determines appropriateness and provides recommendations for respiratory care services, taking into consideration the needs of different age groups, cognitive abilities, and development status.
• Initiates new routine orders within time specified in department policies and procedures.
• Measures and adjusts airway cuff pressures.
• Recommends changes in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures to physicians, nursing, and / or co-workers.
• Taking into consideration patient age and development status, modifies those treatments / procedure techniques which do not require a change in physician's orders to optimize the delivery of care, and reports modifications to appropriate health care team members.
• Utilizes the appropriate chain-of-command when consulting on patients not responding to standard therapeutic procedures.
• Performs respiratory diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
• Provides ventilatory support during patient intra hospital transfers.
• Performs procedures for disinfecting respiratory equipment and adheres to infection control policies and procedures.
• Performs and evaluates blood gas analysis to include quality control procedures adhering to lab policies and procedures.
• Obtains arterial, capillary, and cord blood samples, ensures that samples are labeled appropriately, handles and disposes of blood samples per policy and procedure.
• Performs blood gas analysis; documents and reports critical blood gas values to nurse / physician.
• Performs analyzer maintenance and quality controls and ensures cleanliness of the blood gas laboratory.
• Performs cardiopulmonary and neonatal resuscitation (CPR / NR) and responds to emergencies in all areas.
• Auscultates lungs to assure proper endo-tracheal tube placement.
• Identifies contraindications in regards to chest physiotherapy and appropriately informs and provides recommendations to the physician.
• Performs oral, nasal, and tracheal suctioning to ensure airway patency.
• Collaborates with physicians and nurses in regards to the appropriate frequency of suctioning for assigned patients.
• Provides reasonable solutions upon the identification of problems.
• Participates in Patient / Family Teaching : Independently assesses patient learning needs and seeks assistance in identifying / meeting learning needs of patients and families specific to management of chronic pulmonary disorders. Patient family education is to include disease management, proper use of medication and administration devices, oxygen therapy and related equipment.
• Maintains a safe and clean environment that complies with regulatory standards including Patient Safety Goals.
• Participates in the implementation of the department specific Quality and Performance Improvement Plan, completes monitoring forms and reports findings to the Respiratory Manager.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

A. Education

B. Qualifications / Experience

C. Special Skills / Knowledge

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