Position Summary / Career Interest:

The Registered Respiratory Therapist performs respiratory care interventions in accordance with the standards established by the American Association of Respiratory Care Clinical Practice Guidelines and OMC Respiratory Care Policy. Under the supervision of the Director/Supervisor and upon a physician's order, the Registered Respiratory Therapist assesses the cardiopulmonary status of patients of all ages (neonate through geriatric) and provides various types of respiratory diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, based on individual patient needs. An integral function of this position is providing patient education to enhance wellness.


Responsibilities and Essential Job Functions

• Demonstrates proficiency in administration of physician-prescribed aerosol medication therapy, oxygen therapy and appropriate airway humidity therapy.  Verifies accuracy of order prior to beginning therapy.  Introduces self, greets client in a friendly, courteous manner and explains the purpose of ordered therapy in a professional manner.  Performs initial and follow-up assessments pertaining to respiratory care with skill.  Evaluates client's response to prescribed therapy in an on-going manner and communicates information, as needed, to medical staff.  Administers therapy and interacts with patient in a manner that meets the needs of clients of all ages—child to geriatric.  Demonstrates expertise in selecting and/or adapting equipment that is appropriate for patient's age. Documents pertinent information concisely and systematically after each therapeutic  intervention.  Utilizes MCMC Oxygen Therapy Protocol (when appropriate) to optimally assess oxygen needs.  Demonstrates knowledge and ability to appropriately utilize most current and sophisticated aerosol delivery devices.
• Demonstrates proficiency in care and management of patients receiving mechanical ventilation.
• Demonstrates proficiency in use of MCMC Ventilator, when applicable, to select most appropriate ventilator settings to optimize patient's care.  Demonstrates proficiency in establishing, maintaining and caring for a patent airway in patients with and without artificial airways.  Checks and maintains optimal cuff pressures in accordance with departmental policy.  Secures artificial airways with skill and optimal skin care techniques, in both pediatric and adult population.  Assesses for skin breakdown and relocates endotracheal tube on a regular basis.   Suctions endobronchial secretions on an as-needed basis with expertise and efforts to maximize patient safety and comfort.  Makes every effort to optimize communication between self and ventilator patient (and/or family and visitors).   Takes time to explain interventions in an empathetic, caring manner that is specific to patient's level of cognition.
• Demonstrates proficiency in performing electrocardiograms and assessment of basic rhythms and serious arrhythmias.
• Demonstrates proficiency in performing ECG's to obtain the most accurate results possible.
• Processes ECG results in accordance with Departmental policy.
• Demonstrates respect for patient's privacy when performing ECG procedure.  Interacts with patient and family members in courteous, professional manner.
• Maintains proficiency in recognition of normal cardiac rhythm and basic and/or serious arrhythmias.  Intervenes appropriately by communicating with medical staff of results requiring immediate attention.
• Demonstrates proficiency in instructing and performing therapies with the goal of mobilizing respiratory secretions and improving spontaneous ventilatory efforts.  Proficiency required in the following: nasotracheal suctioning, expiratory resistance/oscillation (i.e. EzPAP), endotracheal suctioning, chest physical therapy,incentive spirometry.
• Performs initial and follow-up assessments pertaining to respiratory care with skill.  Physician(s) agrees with assessment and recommended plan of care and/or recommended change(s) in plan of care.
• Evaluates client's response to prescribed therapy in an on-going manner and communicates information, as needed, to medical staff.  Demonstrates expertise in selecting and/or adapting equipment that is appropriate for patient's age - neonate to geriatric.
• Consistently incorporates patient education regarding common lung diseases, prescribed medications and plan of care into routine patient care and treatment.  Makes every effort to optimize communication between self and patient (and/or family and visitors).  Takes time to explain interventions in an empathetic, caring manner that is specific to patient's level of cognition.
• Demonstrates proficiency in care and management of patients receiving mechanical ventilation by consistently choosing appropriate settings, relevant to the patient's condition at any given time.  Serves as a key member of the critical care team in communicating respiratory assessment info (i.e. results of ventilator waveform analysis, respiratory physical assessment) to optimize patient's outcome and comfort.  Demonstrates expertise in managing the care of patients who require advanced modes of ventilatory support - i.e. APRV.  Actively promotes weaning of patients from mechanical ventilation by using respiratory assessment skills, critical thinking and excellent communication with other members of the health care team.
• Demonstrates proficiency in the use of non-invasive ventilation, tailoring therapy to best meet individual patient needs.  Independently titrates interventions with expertise to achieve optimal patient outcome.  Aggressively seeks to avoid intubations by recommending use of noninvasive ventilatory support to physician when appropriate.
• Demonstrates proficiency in establishing, maintaining and caring for patients with artificial airways.  Independently and pro actively secures artificial airways and adjusts cuff pressures to assure patient safety and avoid tissue breakdown.  Communicates and works cooperatively with the nursing staff to assure optimal tracheostomy care and patient education is provided.
• Works cooperatively with members of the Cardiology staff to assume responsibilities for ECGs when assigned.  Demonstrates respect for the patient's privacy and dignity when performing an ECG.  Makes every effort to consistently obtain high quality ECG tracings (may require reapplication of electrodes, calm and respectful coaching of the patient to remain still during testing).  Assumes responsibility for communicating serious ECG abnormalities to the patient's nurse and/or physician without delay.
• Assists the health care team with a confident, calm demeanor in the resuscitation of an infant.  Demonstrates proficiency in delivering surfactant in the rescue of a newborn.  Assumes responsibility for maintaining a patent airway and adequate ventilation and oxygen delivery to an infant in respiratory distress.
• Communicates in a professional manner with the physician when recommending modifications in the respiratory care plan, based on the patient's response.  Demonstrates critical thinking skills by selecting the most efficacious supplies and equipment, appropriate to each individual patient care situation.  Physicians routinely agree with patient assessment results and drug delivery choices selected and implemented from the ECC Bronchodilator Protocol.
• Demonstrates expertise in implementing, assessing results and acting appropriately on results of various pulmonary diagnostic tests and monitors.  Consistently follows departmental policy and procedure regarding all phases of the blood gas analysis process:  pre-analytical, puncture/specimen collection, analytical phase and post-analytical /results reporting phase.  Accurately evaluates the pulmonary status of patients assessed by capnography, spirometry, airways compliance and resistance, blood gas analysis, hemodynamic monitoring, pulse oximetry and/or ventilator waveform analysis.  Serves as a resource to other members of the health care team regarding use of these monitors and assessment of results.
• Demonstrates proficiency in assisting physician with therapeutic and basic diagnostic bronchoscopies.  Appropriately assesses patient's cardiopulmonary status throughout the procedure, intervening with  expertise to optimize patient's comfort, safety and optimal outcome.  Accurately processes bronchoscopy specimens.  Performs high-level disinfection of bronchoscope and related equipment as soon as possible following procedure, demonstrating attention to detail and strict adherence to policy."
• Must be able to perform the professional, clinical and or technical competencies of the assigned unit or department.
• These statements are intended to describe the essential functions of the job and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities. Skills and duties may vary dependent upon your department or unit. Other duties may be assigned as required.

Required Education and Experience

• Associates Degree in Respiratory Therapy

Preferred Education and Experience

• Bachelors Degree Respiratory Therapy, Math, or Science field
• 1 or more years of experience as an RRT in a hospital setting
• 3 or more years of experience as an RRT in adult critical care, neonatal care, and emergency department patient care

Required Licensure and Certification

• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) - American Heart Association (AHA) within 120 Days
• CPR/ AED/ BLS - Other BLS upon Hire
• Licensed Respiratory Therapist (RT) - State Board of Healing Arts upon Hire
• Registered Respiratory Therapist(RRT) - National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) upon Hire
• PALS - Pediatric Advanced Life Support - American Heart Association (AHA) within 120 Days
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) - American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) within 120 Days

We are an equal employment opportunity employer without regard to a person’s race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and sexual orientation), national origin, ancestry, age (40 or older), disability, veteran status or genetic information.