Respiratory Care Practitioner

Brown University Health; Providence (RI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Brown University Health seeks a Respiratory Therapist to administer care, collect blood gases, and perform sleep studies in the Respiratory Care Department at The Miriam Hospital in Providence, RI. The role emphasizes patient-centered care for geriatric, adult, and adolescent populations and requires adherence to hospital policies and safety standards.

Responsibilities include performing procedures, calibrating equipment, and coordinating with physicians on test orders and results.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in AMA-approved respiratory therapy program.
• Licensed by the State of Rhode Island as a Respiratory Care Practitioner.
• Interpersonal skills to instruct and calm patients.
• Analytic skills to interpret blood gas reports and synthesize data.
• Leadership ability to establish priorities and supervise when assigned charge responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Administers respiratory care per physician orders or protocol.
• Enters verbal/telephone orders into patient charts.
• Sets up and operates respiratory therapy devices and pulmonary testing equipment.
• Monitors parameters and physiologic responses to therapy.
• Performs arterial blood gas sampling and analysis.
• Maintains patient charts and equipment; ensures safety and infection control.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Analytic skills

Leadership ability

Equipment operation

Education

Associates degree in respiratory therapy

Tools

Blood gas instrumentation

Pulmonary function testing equipment

Aerosol generators

Job description

Summary

Under the general supervision of the Manager or Lead Therapist of the Respiratory Care Department, administers respiratory care to patients, obtains and analyzes blood gas specimens, and performs sleep studies and pulmonary function tests as ordered by a physician.

Under the general supervision of the Manager or Lead Therapist of the Respiratory Care Department, administers respiratory care to patients, obtains and analyzes blood gas specimens, and performs sleep studies and pulmonary function tests as ordered by a physician. Performs all essential functions with consideration of the age-specific needs of the geriatric, adult, and adolescent patient. Fosters patient and family centered care and healthcare services, in accordance with the Brown University Health and The Miriam Hospital’s mission, vision, and values, with consideration of the life span, including all developmental stages as well as cultural patterns. Brown University Health employees are expected to successfully role model the organization\'s values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence as these values guide our everyday actions with patients, customers and one another.

Responsibilities

Administers respiratory care in accordance with physician orders or protocol. Accepts and enters verbal and telephonic orders from physicians into patient charts. Sets up and operates devices, aerosol generators and bedside pulmonary function testing equipment. Monitors equipment to ensure specific parameters are maintained. Performs chest physiotherapy and bronchopulmonary drainage procedures. Assists patients with breathing exercises, utilizing incentive spirometry. Instructs patients and families in therapeutic modalities and equipment use. Monitors the physiologic response of patients to therapy and suggests therapy changes. Maintains patient charts, entering therapy, ventilator and monitoring information. Inspects and tests respiratory therapy-related equipment to ensure proper operating condition. Notifies Manager or Lead Therapist of need for equipment repairs. Performs arterial punctures to obtain blood samples for gas analysis. Analyzes and reports results. Calibrates, and performs preventive maintenance and quality control procedures on blood gas instrumentation. As assigned, performs all tests and duties in the Pulmonary Function Laboratory that relate to pulmonary function tests and sleep studies. Records results and forwards to physician for interpretation. Maintains logs of required information on tests performed and related records and reports. Consults with physicians regarding appropriateness of tests ordered and test results. Cleans, makes minor repairs, and maintains pulmonary function and sleep study equipment. Prepares and revises written procedures for sleep study and pulmonary function testing. Orders laboratory supplies. Participates in Code Blue emergencies, by providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation, airway management and ventilatory support. Assists in the evaluation of replacement respiratory and pulmonary function equipment. Assists in care and maintenance of equipment and supplies. Attends and participates in staff meetings and in-service education sessions. Maintains various records and reports, as required. Maintains quality assurance, safety, environmental and infection control standards in accordance with established hospital and departmental policies, procedures and objectives.

Minimum Qualifications

Associates Degree in an AMA-approved respiratory therapy program. Must be licensed by the State of Rhode Island as a Respiratory Care Practitioner. Interpersonal skills – to instruct and calm patients. Analytic skills – to interpret blood gas reports, calculate results of pulmonary function tests and synthesize interrelated data from various medical disciplines. Leadership ability – to establish priorities, assign work to practitioners when assigned charge responsibilities, and instruct students. Ability to operate all respiratory therapy and diagnostic testing equipment. All essential functions performed in this position reflect the age-specific needs of the patients.

Experience

One year of experience as a respiratory therapist preferred.

Work Environment And Physical Requirements

Prolonged sitting, standing and walking. Exposed to all patient elements. May be required to lift/turn patients and equipment. Repeated bending, squatting, stooping. Sufficient visual acuity and manual dexterity to use computer keyboard and other common office equipment. Any hazards are minimized by adherence to established safety procedures and precautions.

Supervisory Responsibility

May provide functional or technical supervision as a “charge therapist” where scope of responsibility is limited to occasional direction, guidance and explanation (refer to Respiratory Therapy Department Policy – Charge Therapist Description – for complete list of responsibilities).

Pay Range

[Pay information preserved in original text]

EEO Statement: Brown University Health is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and maintaining a work environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment.

Location: The Miriam Hospital - 164 Summit Ave Providence, Rhode Island 02906

Work Type: 7PM - 7:30 AM

Work Shift: Night

Daily Hours: 12 hours

Driving Required: No