Respiratory Therapist - WI Division Resource Team

Aurora Health Care; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Aurora Health Care in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is looking for a Respiratory Care Practitioner. The role includes using various skills to assess and support patients, operating ventilators, and providing medication treatments. Candidates must hold a relevant license and have excellent problem-solving and communication abilities.

The position requires an associate degree from an accredited respiratory care program, and no prior experience is necessary. Responsibilities also involve educating patients and ensuring safety in care delivery.

Qualifications

• Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license required.
• Active Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential preferred.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification necessary.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and perform patient transfers.

Responsibilities

• Support patient assessment using various respiratory therapy skills.
• Operate specialized ventilators and assist physicians.
• Provide medication treatments and conduct patient education.
• Facilitate clinical problem-solving and ensure equipment functionality.

Skills

Effective organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Problem-solving skills

Proficient computer skills

Excellent communication skills

Time management skills

Education

Associate degree from an accredited respiratory care program

Job description

Responsibilities

• Uses respiratory therapy processes to support assessment of patients utilizing a variety of skills such as pulmonary diagnostics, chest radiograph, hemodynamic values, laboratory values, and correlates blood gases and electrolytes. Can identify and address the special needs of patient populations specific to department services.
• Operates specialized ventilators in critical and non‑critical care venues. Assists physicians with bedside or other procedures as applicable to facility.
• Provides medication treatments and therapies per physician order and/or patient‑driven respiratory protocols as prescribed.
• Cleans, maintains, and ensures proper functionality of equipment. Troubleshoots equipment as necessary and identifies the need for service and/or repair.
• Educates and instructs patients in the purpose, technique, self‑care, goal of therapy, and disease management.
• Facilitates clinical problem solving and collaborates with other departments to provide education on managing patients.
• Under physician direction, adapts and complies to policies and procedures for a variety of service areas, performs tasks and/or special duties as required by assignment and maintains performance standards and organizational behaviors.
• Demonstrates effective communication, feedback, and conflict resolution skills. Provides clear, concise, timely, and accurate patient handoff.
• Promotes a culture of safety by recognizing and applying proper safety measures to prevent patient harm. Reports patient safety events and near misses in a timely manner. Seeks to identify potential safety issues and assists in the implementation of corrective actions.
• Teaches, educates, and precepts new teammates, orientates, and students.
• Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to their age‑specific needs.

Licensure, Registration, And/or Certification Required

• Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license issued by the state in which the team member practices.
• Active Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential issued by the National Board for Respiratory Care (CBRC) within 12 months OR active Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential issued by the NBRC if credential received prior to January 1, 2023.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA).
• See Education/Certification Addendum for any additional site‑specific requirements.

Education Required

Graduate from an accredited respiratory care program, with a minimum of an associate degree.

Experience Required

No experience required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required

• Effective organizational, interpersonal and problem‑solving skills.
• Problem solving and decision making for patient care and equipment use.
• Proficient computer skills, use of e‑mail and electronic medical record systems.
• Excellent communication (written and verbal), listening and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrates human relation skills with the ability to develop rapport and maintain positive, professional relationships with a variety of patients, team members, and physicians. Ability to take initiative and work collaboratively with others.
• Demonstrates time management skills with an ability to multi‑task and prioritize in an environment with frequent interruptions.

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions

• Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.
• Must be able to lift 50 lb object from knee to waist.
• Must be able to lift 50 lb from floor to waist height occasionally.
• Must be able to lift 40 lb at waist height and carry it across various distances.
• Must be able to lift 20 lb from waist to overhead.
• Must be able to push/pull while utilizing 30 lb of force occasionally for long distances.
• Must demonstrate stand‑pivot transfer from bed to chair.
• Must perform sliding transfer of 150 lb person on a sheet across 2 feet with a second person.
• Must utilize safe body mechanics at all times.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.