Respiratory Therapist

Kaiser Permanente; Wailuku (HI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Kaiser Permanente Hawaii is seeking a Respiratory Therapist to monitor and support respiratory therapy equipment and患者, ensuring safe and effective treatment. The role involves administering gases, monitoring physiological parameters, and collaborating with physicians and nurses to optimize patient care.

The ideal candidate has an associate degree in respiratory therapy, Hawaii license, and certification timelines including NRP and BLS upon hire.

Qualifications

• Associates degree in Respiratory Therapy or certificate from Respiratory Care Program
• Hawaii Respiratory Therapist License required at hire
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program within 1 month of hire
• Basic Life Support required at hire
• Registered Respiratory Therapist certificate within 3 months of hire

Responsibilities

• Initiates therapy under Physician order and recommends modalities.
• Monitors ventilated patients and assesses cardiopulmonary status; assists weaning.
• Administers humidified gases and aerosols as prescribed.
• Interprets blood gases and consults physicians on therapy.
• Maintains and inventories respiratory equipment; conducts QC tests.
• Documents care and participates in patient rounds and on-call duties.

Skills

Critical care experience

Communication

Teamwork

Patient assessment

Documentation

Education

Associate degree in Respiratory Therapy

Tools

Ventilators

Polysomnography equipment

Chest X-ray interpretation

Job description

Job Summary:

Monitors and ensures proper operation and functioning of respiratory therapy equipment. Monitors patients physiological parameters during therapy. Administers medical gases and aerosolized drugs.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Initiates therapy under a Physicians order, and makes appropriate recommendations for modalities of Therapy.
• Implements therapy for, and monitors patients while on continuous mechanical ventilators and all modes of positive pressure breathing devices. Utilizes clinical and other data to assess cardiopulmonary status of patients. Assists in intubation. Provides bedside spirometry. Evaluates ventilator dependent patients readiness to wean.
• Administers humidified medical gases as ordered by practitioners with authority to prescribe.
• Interprets blood gas results. Consults attending physician/practitioner regarding appropriate therapy. Performs arterial punctures. Withdraws blood samples from indwelling lines.
• Provides ventilatory support during special procedures. Coordinates transport of ventilatory equipment.
• Implements and monitors care of patients on heated aerosols and CPAP as per practitioner order.
• Develops good working relationships with laboratory, x-ray, infection control, nursing, physicians and other healthcare workers to maintain optimum total patient care.
• Cleans and maintains all respiratory therapy equipment. Assists in maintaining adequate inventory of respiratory supplies. Conducts quality control tests on all respiratory equipment. Maintains equipment in safe, workable order; Requests repair when necessary.
• Participates in continuous quality improvement teams as required.
• Monitors esophageal pressures, swan ganz catheter data, CVP, arterial blood pressures, electrolytes, fluid balance and intravascular volumes as they pertain to respiratory patients.
• Performs chest physiotherapy, manual ventilation and suctioning. Positions patients to facilitate respiration.
• Performs tracheostomy care and mouth care on intubated/trached patients. Changes tracheostomy tube as ordered.
• Performs electroencephalogram as ordered. This includes taking measurements of the head, placement of electrodes, acquisition of data, monitoring of vital signs.
• Performs polysomnography as ordered for sleep studies.
• Documents pertinent information in medical record. Documents care provided in medical record.
• Monitors disease processes, arterial and venous catheter placement and endotracheal tube placement via chest x-ray.
• Communicates pertinent patient information to physicians, practitioners and nurses as appropriate.
• Participates in patient rounds with Pulmonologist/Intensivist/Neonatologist. Responds to and participates in Code Blue as part of Code team/RRT Team.
• Able to instruct patient and family on disease processes and treatments provided by Respiratory Therapy in accordance with the hospital patient/family education policies and procedures. Assumes on-call status as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications:

Experience

• Completion of a clinical rotation in critical care/intensive care environment, to include care of respiratory needs of acutely ill patients.

Education

• Associates degree with major in Respiratory Therapy OR a certificate of completion from a Respiratory Care Program.

License, Certification, Registration

• Respiratory Therapist License (Hawaii) required at hire

• Neonatal Resuscitation Program within 1 months of hire from American Academy of Pediatrics

• Basic Life Support required at hire

• Registered Respiratory Therapist Certificate within 3 months of hire from National Board of Respiratory Care

Additional Requirements:

• Demonstrated knowledge of and skill in written communication, oral communication, interpersonal relations, customer service, decision making, problem solving, and teamwork.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with NICU (neonatal intensive care) and cardiac surgery patient.