Respiratory Therapist II

Where You’ll Work

Founded in 1941, Dignity Health - Dominican Hospital is a 188-bed, acute care, nonprofit hospital located in Santa Cruz, California. Serving over 80,000 patients annually, the hospital offers a full complement of services including heart care, orthopedics, and a Family Birthing Center. Additionally, Dominican Hospital has been recognized as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality High Performer by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. It is a Joint Commission-certified Primary Stroke Center, and has been awarded the AMA/ASA’s Get the Guidelines - Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement, recognizing the hospital’s commitment to providing the best stroke care.

One Community. One Mission. One California 

Job Summary and Responsibilities

As our Respiratory Therapist, you will join an established team of RTs who share your passion for delivering highly specialized cardiopulmonary care to patients experiencing breathing issues. You'll be instrumental in providing a range of treatments from breathing techniques and nebulizer treatments to ventilator management, oxygen therapies, and external ventilation support.Every day you will apply your keen assessment skills and critical thinking to manage diverse patient needs, develop and execute effective care plans, and ensure calm, focused intervention in both routine and emergent situations.To be successful in this role, you will demonstrate a strong sense of urgency, unwavering calm under pressure, and the ability to anticipate outcomes. Your dedication to patient well-being and exceptional problem-solving abilities will drive success in this vital role.

• Initiates and monitors mechanical ventilation to assure the patient is being ventilated adequately and according to protocol or the physician's written or verbal orders.
• Draws blood from arterial lines following appropriate infection control technique.
• Extubates patients as per Cardiac and ICU protocol or the physician's written or verbal orders.
• Organizes and gives a comprehensive patient report to the incoming shift.
• Approaches the physician to clarify prescribed therapy and recommends modification when indicated.
• Assesses and monitors the use of oxygen by performing pulse oximetry to verify medical need for oxygen. Recommends changes in therapy.

Job Requirements

Required

• Associates Of Science (Successful completion of accredited school of respiratory therapy and associated clinical rotations and 1 year of experience as a respiratory therapist)
• Respiratory Care Practitioner: CA
• American Heart Association Basic Life Support - CPR
• American Heart Association Advanced Cardiac Life Support
• American Heart Association Pediatric Advanced Life Support
• American Heart Association Neonatal Resuscitation Program
• Registered Respiratory Therapist

Preferred

• 2 years of experience as a respiratory therapist