Entry-Level Respiratory Therapist – Critical Care & Emergency

USA Health; Mobile (AL); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

University of South Alabama Health System is seeking a Respiratory Therapist to support emergency cardio-respiratory care and therapy administration in Mobile, AL. The role involves evaluating patient progress, educating patients and families, and assisting with orders and documentation within the hospital information system.

Requirements include completion of an accredited Respiratory Therapy program, BCLS, NBRC registry eligibility, and Alabama licensure.

Qualifications

• High-quality patient care, empathy, attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Assists in emergency treatment of acute cardio-respiratory arrest
• Administers cardio-pulmonary therapy and medications, with explanations of purpose and precautions
• Assesses patients' progress and suggests therapy approaches to physicians and nurses
• Demonstrates CPR according to the American Heart Association
• Provides patient/family education as needed
• Maintains accurate records according to department standards
• Serves as a preceptor to new employees and respiratory students
• Adheres to Infection Control and Safety Standards

Job description

Overview

USA Health is Transforming Medicine along the Gulf Coast to care for the unique needs of our community. USA Health is changing how medical care, education, and research impact the health of people who live in Mobile and the surrounding area. Our team of doctors, advanced care providers, nurses, therapists, and researchers provides the region's most advanced medicine at multiple facilities, campuses, clinics, and classrooms. We offer patients convenient access to innovative treatments and advancements that improve the health and overall well-being of our community.

Responsibilities

• Assists in emergency treatment of acute cardio-respiratory arrest
• Administers continuous and intermittent cardio-pulmonary therapy and medications to the respiratory tract and is able to state the purpose, rationale, precautions and observations related to those procedures
• Assesses patients' progress according to care plan and suggests modes of therapy to physicians and nurses
• Requires minimal supervision to safely perform patient care
• Demonstrates the ability to provide competent patient care to the following patient populations:
  • Neonate, pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric
• Demonstrates CPR according to the American Heart Association
• Provides patient/family education as needed
• Utilizes proper mechanics when moving and transferring patients and equipment with or without assistance
• Receives and transcribes cardio-pulmonary orders according to medical staff by-laws
• Utilizes a PC to access the Hospital Information System
• Communicates and uses appropriate relation skills with physicians, patients, families, and healthcare team in person, via telephone, and other message systems
• Responds to overhead pages and electronic message system
• Maintains accurate and complete records according to department standards
• Completes all mandatory unit, educational and hospital requirements
• Serves as a preceptor to new employees and respiratory students
• Adheres to all Infection Control and Safety Standards
• Accesses and accurately maintains electronic and paper medical records
• Regular and prompt attendance
• Ability to work schedule as defined and overtime as required
• Completes all mandatory department, educational and hospital requirements
• Adheres to current Infection Control and Safety Standards
• Regular and prompt attendance
• Ability to work schedule as defined and overtime as required
• Related duties as assigned

Additional Information

Employees must be in a regular position, working 20 hours or more per week (.50 FTE or greater) to qualify for benefits.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma equivalent and completion of an accredited Respiratory Therapy program Required
• BCLS - Basic Life Support Required
• Registry eligible with the National Board for Respiratory Care. Required
• Current licensure with the Alabama Board of Respiratory Therapists Required
• Comparable combination of education and experience may substitute for the above requirements.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong customer service and empathy skills Strong customer service and empathy skills
• Ability to demonstrate attention to detail, accuracy and precision Ability to demonstrate attention to detail, accuracy and precision
• In-depth knowledge of respiratory conditions, treatments, and equipment In-depth knowledge of respiratory conditions, treatments, and equipment
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team
• Excellent problem-solving and critical thinking skills Excellent problem-solving and critical thinking skills
• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills Attention to detail and strong organizational skills
• Ability to walk extensively, lift moderately heavy objects, and climb stairs Ability to walk extensively, lift moderately heavy objects, and climb stairs
• Ability to work without close supervision and to exercise independent judgement. Ability to work without close supervision and to exercise independent judgement.
• Talking to others to convey information effectively. Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions. Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one. Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Ability to prioritize, plan, and organize projects and tasks Ability to prioritize, plan, and organize projects and tasks
• Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs) Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs)
• Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions. Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

The University of South Alabama is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status or any other applicable legally protected basis. EO Employer – minorities/females/veterans/disabilities/sexual orientation/gender identity.