Respiratory Care Practitioner II, Registered, Nights

University of Maryland Medical System; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 46,011 - 69,059; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Up to $10,000 sign-on bonus

Shift differentials when applicable

Job summary

A healthcare institution based in Baltimore seeks a Respiratory Therapist to perform complex respiratory therapy procedures. The ideal candidate must have an Associate degree along with necessary licensure, possess strong knowledge of respiratory care techniques, and demonstrate effective communication skills. This role offers a salary range starting at $33.40 per hour, with potential bonuses and shift differentials. The successful candidate will work closely with critical care patients and participate in evaluating treatment effectiveness.

Qualifications

• Two years’ experience as a Respiratory Therapist is preferred.
• Knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system is essential.
• Ability to observe and respond to patient discomfort or deteriorating status.

Responsibilities

• Administers complex respiratory therapy procedures to patients.
• Evaluates and interprets arterial blood gas results.
• Participates in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) procedures.

Skills

Knowledge of respiratory system

Effective communication skills

Ability to evaluate blood-gas results

Ability to perform care appropriate to different age groups

Education

Associate degree

Bachelor’s Degree in Respiratory Therapy

Registration by the National Board of Respiratory Care

Licensure as a Respiratory Care practitioner by the Maryland Board

CPR certification

ACLS certification

Tools

Ventilators

Nebulizers

Pulse oximeters

Job description

Overview

General Summary Under general supervision, administer complex respiratory therapy procedures in the evaluation and treatment of individuals with cardiopulmonary functions threatened or impaired by developmental defects, the aging process, physical injury, or disease by administering respiratory care techniques.

Responsibilities

• Performs a variety of respiratory care treatments to a specific patient population (adult, pediatric, or neonatal).
  
• Explains treatments to patient and/or family before performing.
• Observes and monitors physical signs and symptoms, general behavior, and general physical response to respiratory care procedures. Collaborates with physician regarding therapeutic treatment plans to determine whether initiation, modification, or discontinuation of the treatment regimen is warranted.
• Terminates patient treatment upon notice of patient discomfort, troubled medical status, or inability to accept treatment.
• Participates in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) procedures, including airway management, manual ventilation, and compression as needed.
• Administers therapeutic and diagnostic gases (exclusive of general anesthesia), analgesic agents by subcutaneous injection, bronchodilator treatments, chest physiotherapy, and aerosolized medication treatments in accordance with departmental procedures, as directed by a physician. Delivers oxygen and humidified air through a variety of devices to reverse and prevent tissue hypoxia, treat arterial hypoxemia, decrease the work of breathing and decrease myocardial work.
• Assists with non-surgical insertion, maintenance and removal of artificial airways.
• Sucks/cleans artificial and nasal/oral airways using sterile disposable catheters as part of airway care.
• Performs age-specific respiratory techniques when working with adult/pediatric/neonatal populations.
• In Critical Care areas, administers mechanical ventilation and CPAP to critical care patients, adjusts ventilation and CPAP under the direct supervision of a physician or an ICU qualified Respiratory Care practitioner (if not ICU rated).
• Evaluates the effectiveness of mechanical ventilation and other therapeutic interventions in the critically ill patient by interpreting chest x-rays and blood gas results. Monitors patient appearance, respiration rate and oxygen saturation, and notifies the doctor as required.
• Ensures the effective operation, calibration and maintenance of ventilators (life support systems), pulse oximeters, nebulizers, MDI, oxygen and humidity equipment as directed by the physician in accordance with departmental procedures and standard operating procedures.
• Ensures correct ventilator alarms and settings. Makes adjustments to ventilator parameters and settings as necessary based on patient response and condition.
• Applies cleaning/sterile techniques or ensures decontamination of equipment essential for optimal operation of respiratory therapy equipment. Follows protocols and guidelines regarding disinfecting equipment.
• Initiates and performs maintenance rounds on all types of oxygen and humidity equipment used through the hospital.
• Ensures that equipment in need of service is labeled appropriately and sent to biomedical engineering for repair, in accordance with departmental procedures.
• Documents and reports information on activities related to patient care in accordance with departmental procedures.
• Collects data, such as arterial blood gas (ABG) readings, ECG, hemodynamics, laboratory values and patient history to understand the reason for adjusting patient’s life support equipment.
• Evaluates and interprets arterial blood gas results, basic x-rays, and lab results, and relates them to attending physician. Documents quality improvement information such as inappropriate ventilator changes, incident sheets, and equipment failures. Notifies physician of problems requiring immediate attention, such as abnormal blood results.
• Provides clinical supervision, guidance, training and direction to respiratory care interns and students in accordance with departmental procedures.

Qualifications

Education And Experience

• Associate degree is required. Bachelor’s Degree in Respiratory Therapy is preferred. Registration by the National Board of Respiratory Care as a Respiratory Therapist is required. Licensure as a Respiratory Care practitioner by the Maryland Board of Physician Quality Assurance is required. CPR certification is required. ACLS certification is preferred.
• Two years’ experience as a Respiratory Therapist is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system, biology, microbiology, technical mathematics, and pharmacology. Proficient knowledge of medical terminology and operation and use of standard respiratory equipment and supplies, such as various types of ventilators, nebulizers, aerosol masks, nasal cannulas, mist tents, oxyhoods and other oxygen delivery devices.
• Knowledge of respiratory diseases and standard treatments to assist in training employees. Knowledge of respiratory procedures (auscultation, administration of bronchodilators), respiratory surgical procedures, x-ray and arterial blood gas interpretations, and lab result analysis.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills for communicating with patients, doctors, respiratory staff and nursing staff throughout the medical system, and for maintaining accurate and complete documentation of testing procedures.
• Ability to draw arterial blood from the artery and evaluate blood-gas results.
• Ability to determine quality of patient performance, judge degree of patient discomfort or deteriorating medical status, and the patient’s ability to perform during treatment process.
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills to provide care appropriate to the patient population served. Ability to understand growth and development over the life span and assess data reflective of the patient’s requirements relative to population-specific and age-specific needs.
• Participates in departmental committee structure and special projects.
• Maintains required continuing education credits and attends professional conferences as defined by department policy.
• Advancement within the department’s professional model (RCP levels) with years of experience as described.

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Compensation

• Pay Range: $33.40 - $50.13
• Other Compensation (if applicable): Up to $10,000 sign-on bonus, eligible for shift differentials when applicable

Review the 2024-2025 UMMS Benefits Guide