The Respiratory Therapist position will consider CRT, RRT, and all levels of career ladder. The final title and pay will be determined by education, experience, and certification.
Job Summary
The Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRT) provides all modes of respiratory care and diagnostics, on physician order, within the Critical Care, General Care Medical/Surgical units, and specialty departments as required. Acts on a broad knowledge base and experience in working with physicians and other health-care providers. This is accomplished without direct supervision in most cases. The Registered Therapist may act as a resource person for other members of the department.
Essential Job Functions
- Performance of Technical Practice
- Provides highly technical Respiratory Care procedures in any environment following unit specific orientation.
- Initiates and maintains ventilator management for patient on life support except at Westmoreland Manor.
- Performs arterial puncture and blood gas analysis.
- Provides cardiopulmonary resuscitation for all age groups served.
- Maintains and monitors the function of all Respiratory Care equipment in use.
- Acts as a resource to other health care providers, regarding clinical issues.
- Assesses patients for required respiratory care services. Reassesses daily or as often as necessary.
- Administers inhaled medications, monitors patient reaction to medication, reports response and/or adverse reaction to nurse and physician.
- Provides patient and family or caregiver with education related to disease process or dysfunction, therapy ordered, medication, dosage, methods and equipment use and functions.
- Participates in interdisciplinary care-planning process as required by various nursing or patient care units, and in discharge planning process as needed.
- Assimilates large quantities of data while caring for critically ill patients.
- Modifies and directs respiratory care procedures and diagnostics, based on acquired data and patient clinical findings.
- Assists with the coordination of patient care relating to cardiopulmonary dysfunction, in cooperation with the physician, nurse, and other health care providers.
Policy and Procedure
- Understands department policy and procedure to assure compliance with same.
- Avoids deviation from policy and/or procedure preventing the potential for adverse effect either on an employee, patient or visitor.
- Reviews departmental policy and procedure on an annual basis and makes recommendations for appropriate changes.
Communication
- Provides clear, concise, organized written and oral communication to management and staff.
- Interacts effectively with physicians, patients, management and co-workers.
- Documents in a neat, timely and legible fashion as appropriate.
- Documents in EMR per department guidelines.
- Serves as a liaison and positive role model to other departments.
- Communicates directly with physician regarding patient respiratory status, recommendations for therapy, and diagnostic testing.
Takes and transcribes verbal and telephone orders from physicians.Maintain supply and inventory in assigned areas.Notifies appropriate personnel of stock depletion as it occurs.Keeps department and other areas of responsibility clean and orderly.Other duties as assigned.Required Qualifications
- Completion of an accredited Respiratory Therapy Program.
- Graduate of JRCRTE approved respiratory care program with a minimum of three (3) to six (6) months of clinical rotations.
- Strong leadership ability, good organizational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, sound judgment.
- Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.
- Medical Terminology.
- Basic Math and Keyboard Proficiency.
- Functional Skills on PC and Related Software (Microsoft Office).
- Knowledge of basic Office Equipment such as copier, fax machine, etc.
- Strong time management; ability to work independently and in a team setting; creativity in treatment in various settings including inpatient, skilled nursing and outpatient clinics; ability to transition smoothly between various treatment settings; flexibility in scheduling.
- Ability to communicate with all members of the health care team.
- Ability to multi-task and prioritize assignments.
Preferred Qualifications
- Critical Care Experience.
- ACLS.
- Experience in Pulmonary Function testing, bronchoscopies, blood gas analysis, and neonatal mechanical ventilation.
- PALS.
- For a long-term care facility, one (1) -two (2) years prior experience in a long-term care facility.
License, Certification & Clearances
- Current licensure to practice in the State of Pennsylvania.
- Current Basic Life Support (BLS) approved curriculum of the American Heart Association (CPR and AED) program.
- Act 33 with renewal.
- Act 34 with renewal.
- Act 73 FBI Clearance.
Supervisory Responsibilities
- This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities, but does serve as a coach and mentor for other positions in the department.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
- Incumbent will be scheduled based on operational need (rotate shifts, standby, on-call, etc.).
- Travel may be expected locally between Independence Health System locations.
AAP/EEO
- Independence Health System is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of Independence Health System to prohibit discrimination of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, non-job related disability, veteran status, or genetic information, or any other protected class. Independence Health System will conform to the spirit as well as the letter of all applicable laws and regulations.
About the company
Excela Health is a not-for-profit health organization that includes three licensed, acute care hospitals, two free-standing outpatient surgery centers, home care and hospice, physician practices, a durable medical equipment company and other facilities...