Respiratory Care Practitioner I - PT Days

Torrance Memorial Medical Center; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 84,000; Full time

Job summary

Torrance Memorial Medical Center has an opening for Respiratory Therapist to operate and manage respiratory care equipment for a wide range of patients, from neonates to geriatrics. The role includes patient education, procedures, and collaboration with physicians to ensure optimal respiratory support.

Responsibilities include administering prescribed therapies, monitoring equipment, documenting care in the HIS, and participating in the CPR team when needed.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited Respiratory Care Program.
• Demonstrated ability to explain procedures and treatments to patients and families using AIDET.
• Experience in neonatal through geriatric respiratory care as prescribed by physicians.

Responsibilities

• Explains purpose and procedure of treatments to patient and family using AIDET.
• Administers prescribed respiratory care across age groups.
• Assists in arterial punctures, blood gas analysis and reports critical values.
• Performs maintenance and quality checks on respiratory equipment.
• Documents care provided in HIS with date, time, therapy, and outcomes.
• Educates patients and families on home respiratory care and pre-operative therapy.
• Communicates patient status to oncoming shift (SBAR).
• Participates in CPR team during emergencies.
• Supports bronchoscopy readiness and safety as trained.

Skills

AIDET communication

CPR team involvement

Ventilator setup

Safety and infection control

Education

Respiratory Care Program graduate

Tools

Blood gas analyzer

Job description

Under general supervision, sets up and operates various types of respiratory care equipment to be utilized in the treatment and diagnosis of respiratory diseases and/or illnesses.

Core Competencies

• Explains purpose and procedure of treatment, tests, and equipment to the patient, and family using AIDET.
• Administers respiratory care as prescribed by physicians for neonatal, pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients, as assigned, including, but not limited to, metered dose inhalers, hand held nebulizers, various oxygen therapy devices, chest physiotherapy, nasal, oral, and tracheal suctioning, mechanical ventilation set-up and maintenance, stabilizing and maintaining artifical airways, and instructing patients in effective cough and breathing techniques
• Participates as a member of the cardio-pulmonary resuscitation team.
• Performs arterial punctures, arterial line draws, and blood gas analysis utilizing the blood gas analyzer. Reports and documents critical values appropriately. Demonstrates competency for pre-analytical, analytical and post analytical phases of blood gas analysis, assessed at 6 months and annually thereafter.
• Performs preventative maintenance and quality control studies on blood gas analyzer when assigned.
• Documents all respiratory care services provided to a patient in HIS, including the type of therapy, date and time of administration, effects of therapy, and any adverse reactions.
• Assists physicians in therapeutic and diagnostic bronchoscopies after competencies have been established.
• Assesses all patients for appropriateness of therapy, documents care plans, and consults with physicians regarding the plan of care.
• Educates patient and/or family members regarding respiratory home care, pre-operative therapy, and disease states utilizing the Torrance Memorial Teaching Tools.
• Communicates care provided and patient’s status to oncoming shift, using SBAR.
• Ensures respiratory equipment is in proper working order, intervenes appropriately when unsafe conditions are identified, and observes all safety and infection control guidelines, performing decontamination, sterilization, and assembly of equipment when necessary.
• Ensures proper storage and inventory control of equipment in assigned area.

Education

DegreeProgramAdditional Information

Graduate of an accredited Respiratory Care Program.

Experience

Number of Years ExperienceType of ExperienceAdditional Information

License / Certification Requirements

• CA Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license
• ACLS Certification
• PALS and ACLS certifications within 3 months of hire from the American Heart Association
• CRT credential issued by NBRC if licensed prior to 1/1/15; ees hired prior to 1/1/03 grandfathered
• RRT credential issued by the NBRC if licensed after 1/1/15

Compensation Range: $36.31 - 60.90 / Hour