Respiratory Care Practitioner

TMH The Miriam Hospital; United States; On-site; USD 47,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

The Miriam Hospital seeks a Respiratory Therapist to administer respiratory care as ordered, enter physician orders, and analyze blood gas specimens. You will set up equipment, perform sleep studies and pulmonary function tests, and monitor responses to therapy.

This role requires a Rhode Island license, an AMA-approved respiratory therapy program degree, and the ability to document results, maintain equipment, and participate in Code Blue emergencies as part of a collaborative care team.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in AMA-approved respiratory therapy program.
• Rhode Island license required as Respiratory Care Practitioner.
• Ability to interpret blood gas reports and pulmonary function results.

Responsibilities

• Administers respiratory care as ordered and enters physician orders.
• Operates respiratory therapy equipment and performs PFT and sleep studies.
• Monitors patient response and adjusts therapy as needed.
• Maintains charts and records of tests and therapy.
• Prepares procedures for sleep and pulmonary function testing.
• Participates in Code Blue emergencies and safety procedures.

Skills

Blood gas analysis

Pulmonary function testing

Sleep studies

Leadership

Communication

Education

Associate degree in Respiratory Therapy

Tools

Ventilators

Blood gas analyzers

Pulmonary function equipment

Medical devices

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. 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: $34.20-$56.42

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: 7:00AM - 7:30PM

Work Shift: Day

Daily Hours: 12 hours

Driving Required: No

As Rhode Island's largest health system and private employer, Brown University Health is the state's premier provider of health services and includes the only Level I Trauma Center for southeastern New England. Today, more than 20,000 people work at Brown University Health and bring their unique skills, experiences, and compassion to their jobs every day. Formed in 1994, Brown University Health is a not-for-profit health system based in Providence, RI comprising three teaching hospitals of The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University: Rhode Island Hospital and its Hasbro Children's; The Miriam Hospital; and Bradley Hospital, the nation's first psychiatric hospital for children; Newport Hospital, Saint Anne's Hospital and Morton Hospital, community hospitals offering a broad range of health services; Gateway Healthcare, the state's largest provider of community behavioral health care; and Brown Health Medical Group, the largest multi-specialty practice in Rhode Island. Brown University Health is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity of cultural background, race, gender, age, religion, identity, ability, and perspectives - we are actively committed to a diverse workforce that represents the patients and community that we serve. We are invested in creating a respectful, inclusive, and equitable environment that supports the holistic well-being of our employees and their families. Join us and help build a healthier future for our patients - and for yourself.

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