Job Requirements
POSITION SUMMARY:
To be fully engaged in providing No Harm / Quality, Customer Experience, and Stewardship by: showing clinical proficiency in adult and/or neonatal critical care areas. Be responsible for performing respiratory care appropriate to the patient's age, for all skills applicable to the Respiratory Therapist role. Have a thorough understanding of respiratory care modalities and be capable of making judgment decisions and recommendations to physicians regarding these modalities. Evaluate techniques and report findings to the responsible physician. Serve as a resource for respiratory procedures and assist with staff orientation and competency assessments. Uphold ICARE Values in line with the Health First Mission and Vision.
PRIMARY ACCOUNTABILITIES:
Quality/No Harm:
- Document care according to policy via random checks.
- Administer correct procedures to the correct patient, verifying with two identifiers.
- Maintain and troubleshoot equipment; report malfunctions appropriately.
- Keep a clean, safe work environment and charge correctly for care provided.
- Provide shift reports, ensuring workload completion.
- Ensure medication safety by removing one patient's medication at a time from Pyxis system.
- Use Pyxis med slip for patient identification with two identifiers.
- Read back and verify verbal and telephone orders; timely patient information reporting.
- Maintain thorough documentation of patient care, interdisciplinary plans, and education.
- Report safety opportunities via the Health First Safety Portal.
- Respond promptly to Stat calls, Code Blues, and Rapid Response Calls, taking leadership as needed.
- Complete shift duties and tasks timely.
- Follow infection control procedures and proper hand hygiene.
- Initiate and manage invasive and non-invasive ventilation per physician orders, including troubleshooting and discontinuation.
- Perform acute and intensive care functions for adult/pediatric patients.
- Interpret CXRs for device placement and complications.
- Initiate Heliox therapy; understand its indications, contraindications, and complications.
- Perform procedures for NICU, Labor & Delivery, and nursery as applicable.
- Assemble NICU equipment and participate in skills fairs.
- Conduct bedside pulmonary function testing.
- Manage IABP modalities, including troubleshooting and catheter pull procedures.
- Contribute to annual skills fair development and teaching.
- Assist with performance measures and serve as a resource for staff and nursing regarding respiratory therapeutics.
- Mentor new therapists in advanced procedures.
Customer Experience:
- Effectively communicate and educate patients, families, and staff on respiratory procedures.
- Maintain confidentiality and participate in patient experience initiatives.
- Attend and review staff meeting minutes.
Stewardship:
- Charge appropriately for services.
- Communicate effectively, work as a team, and contribute to cost efficiency.
- Be a steward of hospital equipment and supplies.
Work Experience
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
- Graduate from an accredited Respiratory Care program.
- Current Florida DOH license as Registered Respiratory Therapist.
- Current AHA BLS card; ACLS and PALS within 90 days of start date.
- Relevant certifications as required by the unit.
- Meet all skill requirements for a Respiratory Therapist.
- Strong communication, interpersonal, organizational, and prioritization skills.
- Minimum of three years of progressive ICU experience, with at least one year at the current facility.
Physical and Mental Demands
Physical:
- Work up to 12-hour shifts involving walking and standing.
- Participate in prolonged CPR procedures.
- Visual acuity and hand-eye coordination for clinical tasks.
- Ability to lift 30 pounds and push/pull over 100 pounds.
- Move quickly in crowded conditions, work with patients with multiple lines/machines.
- Exposure to biohazards, dust, aerosolized medications, and communicable diseases.
- Maintain professional appearance and wear uniforms.
Mental:
- Work effectively under stress.
- Make quick decisions regarding patient care.
- Respond to life-threatening situations appropriately.
Benefits
At Health First, we value diversity and inclusion, fostering a culture that respects diverse voices, ideas, perspectives, and backgrounds. This approach enhances our innovation, strengthens our community connections, and improves our organizational results.