Registered Respiratory Therapist II

Norwalk Hospital Association; Norwalk (CT); On-site; USD 46,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) Retirement Plan

Wellness Programs

Job summary

Norwalk Hospital Association is seeking a Respiratory Therapist to provide comprehensive respiratory care for patients on ventilators, perform pulmonary function testing, and ensure safe administration of therapies in a busy clinical setting.

The role requires an Associate’s degree in Respiratory Care, CT licensure, NBRC registry, and ongoing competency training, with opportunities to educate patients and families while collaborating with the medical team.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree from an accredited Respiratory Care Program.
• Connecticut licensure as Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP).
• NBRC registry credential and CT licensure required.

Responsibilities

• Provide respiratory support for ventilated patients across ages; monitor and adjust therapy.
• Implement Respiratory Care procedures and tailor therapies.
• Document therapy accurately in patient records.
• Perform pulmonary function testing and blood gas analyses.
• Ensure safe administration of medical gases and manage equipment.
• Maintain ventilator readiness and inventory.
• Complete department competencies and train staff/new hires.
• Educate patients and families about therapies.
• Fulfill compliance responsibilities and perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Respiratory care

Ventilator management

PFT testing

Patient education

Education

Associate's degree in Respiratory Care

CT license as Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP)

NBRC credential

Tools

Servo i

Draeger V500

V60

AVEA

MRI-compatible ventilators

Transport Ventilators

Job description

Northwell is the largest not-for-profit health system in the Northeast, serving residents of New York and Connecticut with 28 hospitals, more than 1,000 outpatient facilities, 22,000 nurses and over 20,000 physicians. Northwell cares for more than three million people annually in the New York metro area, including Long Island, the Hudson Valley, Connecticut and beyond, thanks to philanthropic support from our communities. Northwell is New York State’s largest private employer with over 104,000 employees — including members of Northwell Health Physician Partners — who are working to change health care for the better.

Summary:

Responsible for clinical evaluation of patients and delivery of respiratory care as required. Participate in activities that enhance the role and recognition of the registered respiratory therapist.

Responsibilities:

• 1. Provides respiratory support for patients on ventilators (adults, pedi, and neonatal) by monitoring, evaluating, and making clinical judgements. Performs therapeutic modalities with a full understanding of pathophysiology and indication for therapy. Takes appropriate action if such therapy is contraindicated or side effects develop. Uses special monitoring skills such as ECG, physiologic data, lab results, ventilator graphics, A-lines and End-tidal CO2 when available to asses patient care decisions.
• 2. Responsible for the implementation of Respiratory Care procedures. Evaluates and makes recommendations in the therapies rendered. Evaluates, prepares and instructs patients. Performs basic assessments i.e; auscultation of breath sounds, pulses, respiratory pattern and rate, color, cough, and sputum to assess appropriateness of therapy. Recommends therapy and changes as needed. Care delivered includes but is not limited to therapeutic and diagnostic administration of medical gases, humidification and aerosols, administration of drugs and medications to the cardiorespiratory systems, ventilator assistance, postural drainage, chest physiotherapy, vest therapy (HFCWO), breathing exercises, incentive spirometry, pulmonary rehabilitation, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and maintenance of natural and artificial airways as well as insertion of artificial airways. Responsible for the implementation of Respiratory Care procedures. Evaluates and makes recommendations in the therapies rendered. Contributes data for CQI when assigned or upon recognition of particular need. Responsible for the implementation of Respiratory Care procedures. Evaluates and makes recommendations in the therapies rendered according to approved policy, procedure and protocols. Delivers non standard modes of therapy after appropriate training (including Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy).
• 3. Documentation of therapy. Responsible for accurate, timely documentation of treatment in the patient's record. Information is to be charted in the appropriate record in complete detail. These records are the treatment card and the Cerner electronic health record.
• 4. Provides pulmonary function testing and evaluations when required including: arterial blood gases, obtaining blood samples from indwelling arterial catheters, blood gas analysis, bedside spirometry, pulse oximetry and titration, measurement of ventilator volumes, flows and pressures, and Q/C for the blood gas analyzers. (Advance level performs PFT's and troubleshoots / repairs lab equipment). Performs tests accurately using proper techniques.
• 5. Provides safe administration of mixed medical gases. Helps maintain inventory and ventilator readiness. Chooses and prepares proper equipment, implements therapy and monitoring devices safely. Complies with infection control policies, aseptic and sterile techniques, hand washing and equipment changes. Uses equipment safely. Cares for equipment, identifies problems and makes recommendations. Minimizes waste and damage. Provides safe administration of mixed medical gases. Helps maintain inventory and ventilator readiness. Assists with ordering/stocking of equipment and pre-use checks of ventilators. Provides a neat, clean working environment.
• 6. Annual competencies - Servo i, Draeger V500, V60, AVEA , MRI compatible ventilators, Transport Ventilators Ensures that competencies are completed in a timely manner assists with department competency training on specific modalities for both current staff members and orientation of new hires in the department.
• 7. Provides instruction for Respiratory and Nursing students, medical staff, patients and families. Interacts with patients and families to provide information and support for diagnosis/therapies. Reports all necessary facts and provides appropriate information based on scientific fact and/or clinical experience. Interacts with patients and families to provide information and support for diagnosis/therapies. Documents patient education in the electronic health record.
• 8. Performs other duties as assigned.
• 9. Fulfills all compliance responsibilities related to the position.

Education Skills Experience:

ASSOCIATE'S LVL DGRE

Other Information:

• Required: Associate'sdegree from an accredited Respiratory Care Program.
• Minimum Experience: one year.
• Licensure in State of Connecticut, Dept. of Public Health License as a Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP).
• Bachelor's Degree preferred.
• Maintain Registry Credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care.
• Maintain Connecticut State Licensure as Respiratory Care Practitioner.

Working Conditions:

• Manual: significant manual skills/motor coord & finger dexterity
• Occupational: Some occupational risk
• Physical Effort: Medium to Heavy effort. May exert up to 35 lbs. force
• Physical Environment: Some exposure to dirt, odors, noise, human waste, etc.
• Credentials:RESP,BLS,NBRC

Company: Norwalk Hospital Association

Org Unit: 366

Department: Pulmonary Medicine

Exempt: No

Salary Range: $33.21 - $61.68 Hourly

Available benefits include: 401(k) Retirement Plan and Wellness Programs. Available benefits for union positions may vary in accordance with applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements.