Respiratory Therapist

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY STATEMENT:

Provides comprehensive respiratory and cardiopulmonary care across inpatient and outpatient settings, delivering safe, evidence-based, and patient-centered services to neonatal, pediatric, adult, and geriatric populations under the direction of a physician. The Respiratory Therapist is responsible for assessment, treatment, monitoring, and evaluation of patients with cardiopulmonary conditions, as well as participation in emergency response and interdisciplinary care planning. Perform independent professional respiratory care diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in an appropriate, safe, and cost-effective manner. Support medical staff and other hospital staff in providing quality patient care. All Respiratory Therapists provide inpatient care and are cross trained to provide outpatient services, including pulmonary function testing, pulmonary rehabilitation, and durable medical equipment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education, Experience or Equivalent Combination:

  • Graduate of an AMA approved respiratory care program

• Licensure/ Registration/ Certification:

  • Credentialed by the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC) as a: Certified Respiratory Therapy Technician (CRT), or a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)
  • Licensed as a Respiratory Therapist in the State of WI
  • BLS certified - current at time of hire/start date
  • ACLS certified within 3 months

  • NRP certified within 3 months

• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to patients of all age groups (neonatal through geriatric).
  • Must demonstrate knowledge of principles of growth and development through the life span.
  • Must possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status, and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's needs in relation to age and to provide the care needed as described in the department's policies and procedures.
  • Computer and communication skills.

  • Create and support a culture of patient safety.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education, Experience or Equivalent Combination:

  • One (1) or more years of ICU experience

  • NICU experience

• Licensure/ Registration/ Certification:

  • PALS

• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • EPIC experience

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

1. (45%) - Inpatient Services

   1. Routine respiratory care treatment/therapy: aerosol treatment, chest physiotherapy, delivery of inhalation medications (MDI with spacer, DPI, and neb treatments), sputum induction, peak flow monitoring, CPAP, BIPAP, ABG punctures, oximetry, circuit changes, NT suctioning.

   2. Critical care interventions i.e.: ventilator setup, ventilator monitoring, ventilator weaning, vent tube changes, critical care transports, ET suctioning, weaning parameters, extubation, and other related procedures. It is the expectation that the RT will also be competent in the operation and troubleshooting of all respiratory equipment.

   3. Respond to all Code Blue, Rapid Response, Trauma Team Activations, Code Stroke, Code STEMI calls

   4. Assess and provide patient care based on patients age and physiological needs; Works as a team, routinely discusses and collaborates with physician/RN's regarding patient's plan of care.

   5. Performs patient and family education prior to discharge: COPD, medication review, MDI technique, tobacco cessation

   6. Delivers bedside COPD education and connects patients with hospital and community resources to improve self-management and reduce preventable readmissions

   7. Assess and develop treatment recommendations based on respiratory therapy driven protocols. Performs respiratory care protocols on date due and within 24 hours of all new starts; protocol documentation is accurate and complete

   8. Access and document patient's respiratory health status; Uses critical thinking and assessment skills to identify and respond to patient in respiratory distress

   9. Evaluate home cpap/ventilator machines for patient use during hospital stay

2. (45%) - Outpatient Services

   1. Diagnostic procedures specific to respiratory: Bedside spirometry and/or Pulmonary Function Testing i.e.: spirometry, flow volume loops, lung volumes, delivery of bronchodilators for pre and post testing, methacholine challenges, and other related procedures

   2. Facilitate pulmonary rehabilitation services through patient assessment, monitoring, education, and collaboration with the interdisciplinary team to support optimal functional outcomes

   3. Participates in durable medical equipment (DME) services through patient assessment, equipment setup, education, and support to ensure safe and effective use of respiratory therapies at home

   4. Performs home oxygen evaluations and set-ups in both inpatient and outpatient setting. Arranges oxygen equipment for bedside discharge and provides patient education for safe transfer

   5. Participates in sleep-related HealthPartners DME services through patient assessment, PAP therapy setup and troubleshooting, and education to support effective management of sleep-disordered breathing

   6. Coordinates transitions of care from hospital discharge by collaborating with community DME vendors and ensuring all required orders, documentation, and qualification criteria are complete and received

3. (10%) - Other

   1. Orally communicates pertinent information during the shift report including patient's history, diagnosis, current orders, and response to therapy, ABG results and plan of care

   2. Accurately and timely complete patient care documentation in the patient medical record

   3. Accurately and timely complete patient charges

   4. Patient scheduling for outpatient services

   5. Attend 50% or more of monthly department staff meetings and complete 100% of mandatory educational activities.

*Job description rankings/percentages are intended to reflect normal averages over an extended period of time, and are subject to daily variances. Quality and efficiency standards should at no time be compromised to meet the average expectations expressed above. Job descriptions are subject to change to accommodate organization or department needs.

ORGANIZATIONAL EXPECTATIONS:

Values

All colleagues are expected to live our values:

Excellence: We strive for the best results and always look for ways to improve.

Compassion: We care and show empathy and respect for each person.

Partnership: We are strongest when we work together and with those we serve.

Integrity: We are open and honest, and we keep our commitments.

Additional Expectations:

• Complies with safety instructions, observe safe work practices, provides input on safety issues, and promotes a safe work environment.

• Maintains regular and timely attendance.

• Protects confidentiality.

• Demonstrates participation in and support of the organization's Corporate Integrity Program by participating in compliance-related education and training and complying with the organization's policies and procedures.

• Timely completion of all mandatory education and organizational requirements (i.e., licensure/certification, Employee Health and Wellness requirements, annual training, etc.)

POPULATION SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES:

Departments will need to determine the appropriate competencies in their areas for their specific patient populations documented in the essential duties section.

Examples of items that can be included are:

• Identifies expected outcomes for a plan individualized to the patient or situation specific to the needs of the population served.

• Communicates effectively with patients, families, and team members.

• Integrates practices that supports patient safety, acknowledges variations in populations served.

• Anticipates the needs of the population served as well as the unique characteristics of the communities served.

• Anticipates the needs of the population in providing culturally responsive care and develops an individualized plan for patients and families.

LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITY:

No direct reports. This position reports to the Manager of Respiratory Therapy-Western Wisconsin.

Critical Job Demands

Section 1: Place an "X' next to ONE of the terms that best describes the frequency for each of the Critical Demands.

Section 2: Place an "X" next to ONE of the terms that best describes the Strength Rating for this job classification which is expressed by one of five terms: Sedentary, Light, Medium, Heavy, and Very Heavy.

Note: During any patient handling task, if any caregiver is required to lift more than 35 lbs. of a patient's weight, assistive transfer devices should be used for the transfer.