Respiratory Care Practitioner

BRIEF SUMMARY: Administers all general Respiratory Therapy procedures, including humidity and aerosol therapy, pulmonary secretion clearance, CPAP, BIPAP, and High-Flow Therapy. Must demonstrate basic mechanical ventilator management skills, including set-up, monitoring, and troubleshooting. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1.                  Treatments are done on a timely basis, as ordered by the physician. 

2.                  All EKGs, ABGs, new starts, sputum inductions, and other procedures are done on the shift in which they are ordered. Equipment is cleaned, and O2 rounds are done.

3.                  Proficient in all assigned procedures, including performance of the procedure, possible side effects, rationale, and physiology.

4.                  Electronic Medical Records (EMR) entries, which include relevant and appropriate patient assessment and procedure information, are documented in accordance with the policy and procedural manual.

5.                  Manages invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilators, including set-up, troubleshooting, suggested set-up parameters, suggestions to correct blood gas imbalances, and suggested weaning methods.

6.                  Complies with hospital policy for receiving doctor’s orders, including verbal and phone

7.                  Complies with hospital policies and procedures 

8.                  Incorporates infection control principles in practice

9.                  Demonstrates skills related to the management of emergency situations

10.              Demonstrates competency for ABG drawing and sampling

11.              All equipment on patients is maintained properly; ventilator humidifiers are filled, tubing drained, etc.

12.              Keeps informed of advances in respiratory care through reading current literature and continuing education.

13.              Responds to all Code Blue calls and assists with any cardiopulmonary therapy or procedure per Advanced Cardiac Life Support guideline (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support guidelines (PALS), and Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP).

14.              May be required to perform Electroencephalogram (EEG).

15.              May be required to test a patient's breathing capacity and other pulmonary function studies.

16.              Perform other job-related duties as assigned or requested.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES: 

1.                  Ensure Med/Surg, ER, ICU, and Peds supply areas are kept stocked. Crash carts in all areas are kept supplied with AMBU bags.

2.                  Performs other related duties as needed to facilitate workflow and promote health care.

EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES,  EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:

1.                  Graduate of an AMA-approved school of Respiratory Therapy required (unless licensed under the grandfather clause of the California Respiratory Care Act of 1982).

2.                  NBRC Certified Respiratory Therapy (CRT) credential required.

3.                  NBRC Registered Respiratory Therapy (RRT) credential preferred.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS:

1.                  Current California Respiratory Care Practitioner license required.

2.                  Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support certification required.

3.                  Current American Health Association Advanced Cardiac Life support certification required

4.                  Current Current American Health Association Pediatric Advanced Life Support certification required

5.                  NRP certification required.

AGE OF POPULATION SERVED:

Newborn X Infant/Pediatric X Adolescent X Adult X Geriatric X All X   No Patient Care