Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) - Home Office Bond Hill

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Scheduled Weekly Hours:

36

Work Shift:

Nights (United States of America)

Primary Function/General Purpose of Position                                                                       

The Flex Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) is expected to float to various assigned sites throughout the Bon Secours Mercy Health System, outside of their home location, to provide patient care promoting and restoring patients’ health through the respiratory care process.  The RCP is responsible for providing respiratory care through patient assessment, planning, intervention, education, and evaluation. Performs respiratory care procedures, diagnostic services, patient monitoring and patient and staff education through the relevant standards and scope of practice for the respiratory therapist. 

Essential Job Functions

• ​Data collection and accurate record keeping as well as product evaluation and assessment
• Assists physician performing procedures such as bronchoscopy, transtracheal catheter insertion, tracheotomy in intubation (if intubation is performed by respiratory therapy in the facility), and invasive monitoring
• Performs CPR including closed chest compressions and airway management techniques in accordance with the AHA ACLS protocol
• Conducts prescribed therapeutic procedures to achieve maintenance of a patient airway, including use of appropriate airways including endotracheal tubes, nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal airways, maintenance of airway humidification, aspiration of secretions, extubation, maintenance of correct endotracheal tube (ETT), cuff pressures, and documents procedures in patient and department records
• Selects, assembles, monitors, and evaluates mechanical ventilators for proper function and operation, including correction of malfunctions, cleanliness and determines appropriateness use for patient condition
• Performs pulmonary function tests (PFT)
• Assesses patient's physical status by inspection, palpation, auscultation, percussion, patient behavior and reviewing existing data in patient's record
• Performs treatments according to physician orders, explains therapy and therapeutic goals to patient; modifies treatment procedures based on patient response
• Determines appropriateness of prescribed therapy and recommends methods to physician to achieve therapeutic goals including intermittent positive pressure breathing (IPPB), aerosol therapy, postural drainage and percussion, ultrasonic nebulizer, incentive spirometry, metered dose inhalers and spacers, etc. 
• Sets up and maintains different modes of oxygen therapy to maintain adequate partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood (PaO2) with accurate inspired levels of oxygen
• Administers intermittent positive pressure breathing (IPPB) or aerosol therapy by first preparing the prescribed medication ordered by the physician and adjusting the machine or device to accomplish patient’s individual clinical needs; document and observe patient’s vital signs, productivity of cough, relief of dyspnea, improved breath sounds and any adverse reactions to therapy; and use judgement and technical skill to determine possible adverse reactions and suggestions for appropriateness of therapy
• Gives postural drainage, vibration, percussion to ensure proper drainage of bronchial secretions by use of manual or mechanical percussion; check orders and X-rays for segments to be treated prior to initiating treatment; auscultation prior to and after procedure to note presence of clearance of secretions and response to therapy
• Instructs patients and families in incentive spirometer, metered dose inhaler (MDI) administration, postural drainage and clapping, oxygen therapy, ventilator care and home aerosol therapy
• Procurement of sputum for culture and sensitivity or airway clearance either by patient coaching, administration of mucolytics, aerosol therapy or endotracheal / nasopharyngeal suctioning
• Evaluates normal and pathologic blood and urine laboratory value ranges
• Performs arterial punctures and analysis; has an in-depth knowledge of analysis and arterial blood gas (ABG) interpretation. Performs arterial line procedures, takes safety precautions, sterile procedure, flushing, and ABG aspirations
• Performs EKG’s and understands electronic monitoring, lead placement, and basic arrhythmias
• Maintains all respiratory therapy equipment and supplies
• Responds to cardio-pulmonary resuscitations and actively participates as indicated by clinical circumstances

This document is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, or working conditions associated with the job. Employ