SENIOR RESPIRATORY CARE PRACTITIONER

Los Angeles County; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dedicated team at a leading health system where your expertise in respiratory care will make a significant impact. This role involves providing comprehensive respiratory services to patients in critical care settings, including administering advanced therapies and monitoring patient conditions. You'll work alongside a diverse group of healthcare professionals committed to improving patient outcomes. If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of patients and thrive in a dynamic environment, this opportunity is for you. Embrace the chance to grow your career while contributing to the health of the community.

Qualifications

• Must have experience in critical care and respiratory therapy.
• ACLS certification and state license required.

Responsibilities

• Provide respiratory care to patients with severe pulmonary complications.
• Administer therapies and monitor patients' vital signs.

Skills

Cardiopulmonary assessment

Ventilatory care

Complex therapy administration

Patient monitoring

CPR

Patient education

Education

Associate's degree in respiratory therapy

Bachelor's degree in Respiratory Therapy

Tools

Mechanical ventilators

Medication delivery units

Humidifiers

Job description

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES
EXAM NUMBER: Y5589C
OPEN COMPETITIVE JOB OPPORTUNITY
ORIGINAL POSTING DATE: 10/13/2009
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS A BULLETIN TO UPDATE THE EXAMINATION CONTENT INFORMATION.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES: The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (DHS) is the second largest municipal health system in the nation. DHS operates as an integrated health system, operating 25 health centers and four acute care hospitals, in addition to providing health care to youth in the juvenile justice system and inmates in the LA County jails. Across the network of DHS' directly operated clinical sites and through partnerships with community-based clinics, DHS cares for about 600,000 unique patients each year, employs over 23,000 staff, and has an annual operating budget of 6.9 billion. Through academic affiliations with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), the University of Southern California (USC), and the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Sciences (CDU), DHS hospitals are training sites for physicians completing their Graduate Medical Education in nearly every medical specialty and subspecialty. In addition, to its direct clinical services, DHS also runs the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Agency and the County's 911 emergency response system, as well as Housing for Health and the Office of Diversion and Re-entry, each with a critical role in connecting vulnerable populations, including those released from correctional and institutional settings, to supportive housing.
MISSION: To advance the health of our patients and our communities by providing extraordinary care.
DEFINITION:
Provides a full range of respiratory care to patients with severe pulmonary complications in critical care areas.

1. Assesses patients' overall cardiopulmonary status by inspection, palpitation, percussion, auscultation, and patient or guardian/significant other interview; documents patients' vital signs.
2. Performs the full range of ventilatory care services as prescribed by a physician, including selecting, setting up, and operating a variety of devices such as medication delivery units, humidifiers, positive-pressure breathing machines, and continuous mechanical ventilators in critical care units.
3. Administers complex therapies, such as Inhaled Nitric Oxide (INO therapy), high frequency ventilation, and heliox therapy, and performs Non-Bronchoscopic mini-BAL procedures to provide a non-bronchoscopic method of attaining a sample of bronchoalveolar fluid in the mechanically ventilated patient for the diagnosis of ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP).
4. Performs arterial punctures, intubations and other procedures as ordered by a physician and designated according to the facility's policies and procedures.
5. Assists the physician with the insertion of tracheostomy tubes, and may perform reinsertion of tubes, as needed.
6. Administers chest physiotherapy to patients using postural drainage and/or chest wall percussion and vibration techniques by hand or by mechanical devices.
7. Performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation in life threatening situations, which includes establishment of an airway using an endotracheal tube, performance of chest compressions, and the application of ventilatory support.
8. Monitors patients undergoing respiratory care, reporting changes in condition such as significant variations in heart beat or breathing to medical or nursing personnel, making recommendations when a change in care is indicated and recording relevant information in the patient's chart, including effectiveness of procedures, techniques, and equipment.
9. Interprets results of blood gas analysis and notifies physician when blood gas deficiencies indicate a need for a change in treatment.
10. Instructs patients and their guardian/significant other in various breathing techniques.
11. Provides on-the-job instruction on care techniques to lower level Respiratory Care Practitioners and acts as a preceptor for respiratory care students, as directed.
12. Provides complete unit-based shift reports to staff at shift change.
13. Performs equipment troubleshooting.

Selection Requirements:
Option I: An Associate's degree in respiratory therapy from an accredited college -or- a certificate of completion of an approved two-year training program in respiratory therapy* -AND- one year of experience at the level of a Respiratory Care Practitioner** administering basic respiratory therapy care.
Option II: Two years of experience as a Respiratory Care Practitioner I*** in the service of the County of Los Angeles, one of which must have included assignments in critical care areas such as adult, pediatric, and/or neonatal ICU.

Other Requirements:
A certificate of completion of Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)**** training -AND- Depending on area of assignment, positions may require one of the following specialty certifications:

• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) Certificate****
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Certificate****

License:
A current California State Respiratory Care Practitioner's License issued by the Respiratory Care Board of California.****

A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.
Physical Class III - Moderate: Includes standing or walking most of the time, with bending, stooping, squatting, twisting, and reaching; includes working on irregular surfaces, occasionally lifting objects weighing over 25 pounds, and frequent lifting of 10-25 pounds.

Desirable Qualifications:

• A Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) certification from National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC).
• A Bachelor's degree in Respiratory Therapy from an accredited college or university.

Special Requirement Information:
In order to receive credit for any college course work, or any type of college degree, such as a Bachelor's or Master's degree, or for completion of a certificate program, you must include a legible copy of the official diploma, official transcripts, or official letter from the accredited institution which shows the area of specialization; or official certificates with your application within 15 calendar days of filing online.
Special Information:
Appointees may be required to work any shift, including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.
Available Shift: Any
Examination Content:
This examination will consist of an evaluation of education and experience based upon application information and Desirable Qualifications weighted at 100%.
Candidates must achieve a passing score of 70% or higher on the examination in order to be placed on the eligible register.
Notification Letters and other correspondences will be sent electronically to the email address provided on the application. It is important that applicants provide a valid email address.
Vacancy Information:
The resulting eligible register from this examination will be used to fill vacancies throughout the Department of Health Services as they occur.
Eligibility Information:
Applications will be processed on an "as-received" basis and those receiving a passing score will be promulgated to the eligible register accordingly.
Application and Filing Information:
APPLICATIONS MUST BE FILED ONLINE ONLY. APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED BY U.S. MAIL, FAX OR IN PERSON WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
DEPARTMENT CONTACT:
Jaquelyne Saldana, Exam Analyst
[e-mail] (Best way to contact due to telework)
[phone]
ADA Coordinator Phone: [phone]
California Relay Services Phone: [phone]