RESPIRATORY THERAPIST - INPATIENT

Fort Defiance Indian Hospital Board, Inc.; Fort Defiance (AZ); On-site; USD 92,409,000 - 115,503,000; Full time

Job summary

Fort Defiance Indian Hospital Board, Inc. is seeking a qualified Respiratory Therapist to perform comprehensive patient assessments, administer therapies, operate equipment, and participate in critical care and ventilator management across units.

The role requires a two-year clinical experience, an associate degree in Respiratory Therapy, NBRC-CRT, active state license, and BLS/ACLS/PALS/NRP certifications. Preference given to Navajo Nation Enrolled Members per employment policy.

Qualifications

• Two (2) years clinical respiratory therapy experience.
• Associate’s Degree in Respiratory Therapy, CoARC accredited.
• Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential from NBRC; active state license.

Responsibilities

• Performs comprehensive patient assessments to determine respiratory care needs.
• Administers respiratory therapies (oxygen, aerosol, humidification, medications) per physician orders.
• Set up, operate, monitor, and troubleshoot respiratory care equipment.
• Initiate and manage invasive and noninvasive mechanical ventilation; assist with ventilator weaning and extubation readiness.
• Assist with airway management (intubation, extubation, suctioning, tracheostomy care).
• Participate in Code Blue, Rapid Response, and CPR as needed.
• Document patient encounters accurately in the EHR and coordinate with the healthcare team.

Education

Associate’s Degree in Respiratory Therapy

CRT NBRC Credential

Active Respiratory Care Practitioner State License

Job description

• APPLICANT MUST HAVE A VALID, UNRESTRICTED INSURABLE DRIVER’S LICENSE**
• RESUME AND REFERENCES ARE REQUIRED**

Job Details

CLOSING DATE: Open Until Filled (OUF)

Hourly Range: $32.25/Hour – $40.31/Hour

Essential Duties, Functions And Responsibilities

Patient Care Delivery:

• Performs comprehensive patient assessments to determine appropriate respiratory care interventions.
• Administers respiratory therapies such as oxygen therapy, aerosol therapy, humidification therapy, aerosolized medications, airway clearing techniques, and lung expansion procedures.
• Set up, operate, monitor, and troubleshoot respiratory care equipment.
• Initiate, manage, and monitor invasive and noninvasive mechanical ventilation.
• Participate in ventilator weaning, spontaneous breathing trials, and extubation readiness assessments.
• Assist with airway management, including intubation, extubation, suctioning, tracheostomy care, and emergency airway support.
• Participates in emergency responses for Code Blue, Rapid Response, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
• Monitor patient response to therapy, reports changes in patient condition to healthcare team and modifies treatment plans in accordance with physician orders, clinical protocols, and evidence-based guidelines.
• Perform respiratory care in multiple hospital units, including Multi-Service Unit, Intensive Care Unit, Emergency Department, Obstetrical Unit, Surgical Unit, and potentially outpatient clinics or units.

Diagnostic And Monitoring

• Performs arterial puncture, analyze blood gas specimens and interpret arterial blood gases.
• Obtains and/or induces sputum specimens for clinical laboratory analysis.
• Performs, administers, and evaluates electrocardiogram diagnostic studies, pulse oximetry diagnostic studies, and capnography.
• May perform other diagnostic and monitoring as needed.

Patient And Family Education

• Provides education and clinical support to patients and families about pulmonary illness, disease management, medication management, home equipment/supply use, and respiratory therapies.
• Assess patient understanding, learning readiness, and health literacy, and adapt education accordingly.

Safety And Compliance

• Performs maintenance, calibration, assembly, quality control of respiratory therapy equipment, cardiopulmonary diagnostic equipment, pulmonary function diagnostic and blood gas diagnostic equipment.
• Ensures proper cleaning, disinfection, maintenance and safe operation of respiratory equipment, completes repair requisition to Healthcare Technology Services for malfunctioning equipment.
• Comply with infection control, safety practices, licensing standards, accreditation and regulatory standards (CMS, CAP, State Licensing boards).
• Maintain patient confidentiality and comply with HIPAA regulations.
• Verifies current and appropriate medical provider orders, if necessary, contacts supervisor.
• Participates fully in quality assurance and performance improvement process and contributes to department goals.

Collaboration

• Participate in interdisciplinary care planning and patient rounds.
• Consultant to the providers and healthcare team regarding respiratory care practices.
• Collaborate with providers, nurses, and interdisciplinary healthcare team to optimize the delivery of patient care.

Clinical And Technical Competency

• Maintain and demonstrates competency in required respiratory care skills, respiratory equipment and blood gas laboratory operations.
• Participates and completes required department and hospital training.
• Assists with training and orientation of new employees.
• Provides continuing education to hospital clinical staff on current and new developments in respiratory care.

Administrative And Support

• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of all patient encounters, assessments, treatments and patient responses in the electronic health record.
• Receives consults and orders from medical providers related to respiratory care services.
• Utilizes computers, printer, scanner, software and other applications to perform front office procedures.
• Assists with inventory control, ensures uninterrupted supply of necessary supplies and accessories.
• Participates in the development and revision of department protocols, policies and procedures.
• Attends department and hospital meetings.
• May required to work in an outpatient setting as needed.
• May be required to rotate shifts, day night, weekend, holiday and call back.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Mandatory Minimum Qualifications

Experience:

Two (2) years clinical respiratory therapy experience.

Education

• Associate’s Degree in Respiratory Therapy, accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).
• Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
• Active and unrestricted Respiratory Care Practitioner State License, any U.S. State.

Certificate

• Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification, maintain valid certification.
• Current American Heart Association Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certification, maintain valid certification.
• Current American Heart Association Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Certification, maintain valid certification.
• Current American Academy of Pediatrics Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) Certification, maintain valid certification.

Navajo/Indian Preference

FDIHB and its facilities are located within the Navajo Nation and, in accordance with Navajo Nation law, has implemented a Navajo/Indian Preference in Employment Policy. Pursuant to this Policy, applicants who meet the minimum qualifications for this position and who are enrolled members of the Navajo Nation will be given primary preference in hiring and employment for this position and members of other federally-recognized Indian tribes will be given secondary preference. Other candidates will be considered only after all candidates entitled to primary or secondary preference have been fully considered.