Registered Respiratory Care Practitioner, Per Diem/Variable

Job Summary

• Exempt: No
• Performs basic and critical respiratory care services. Has the ability to work well without supervision as well as maintain supervision over others, as delegated. Provides respiratory care services for the adult and geriatric patient. Provides respiratory care for patients with respiratory disease, as ordered by the physician and in accordance with current department policies concerning all phases of respiratory therapy. Completes paperwork, electronic medical records, flow sheets, and charges for each patient. This position is represented by RCHEA. 

Standards of Behavior

Line of Responsibility and Authority

• LINE OF AUTHORITY: Respiratory Therapist - Director of Cardiopulmonary Services

Licenses and Certifications

Professionalism and Self-Development

Education and Qualifications

• EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Bachelor's Degree or equivalent (some certifications will require Bachelor's) Preferred
• EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Master's Degree Preferred
• EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Three years' technical experience Preferred
• LICENSES OR CERTIFICATIONS: Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license Required
• LICENSES OR CERTIFICATIONS: Current CPR or BLS certification Required
• LICENSES OR CERTIFICATIONS: Current NRP certification Preferred
• LICENSES OR CERTIFICATIONS: Current ACLS certification Required
• LICENSES OR CERTIFICATIONS: Current PALS certification Preferred
• LICENSES OR CERTIFICATIONS: Current PEARS certification Preferred
• LICNESES OR CERTIFICATIONS: Current NBRC-RRT certification or Current NBRC-CRT credential Required

Physical Requirements/Work Environment/Use of Senses and Communications Skills

• ACCOMMODATIONS: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee typically encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the key responsibilities and essential functions
• CONFIDENTIALITY: Employee must conform with all HIPAA and other confidentiality regulations as required by the job, department, or hospital
• PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS (b): This job requires frequent bending, squatting, kneeling, climbing, reaching above shoulders, sitting, walking inclines and declines, standing, talking, hearing, and performing repetitive hand motions. Vision requirements include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. The employee will occasionally pull, lift, transfer, or push a patient side to side, to a sitting position, to a standing position, or laterally. The employee must demonstrate a pull lift of 50 pounds from the floor.
• POTENTIAL EXPOSURE TO BLOOD & BODY FLUIDS: Category 1 for potential exposure to blood/body fluids. (Requires the performance of procedures or other tasks in the work routine that involve an inherent potential for mucous membranes or skin contact with blood, body fluids or tissues, or a potential for spills or splashes of them. Protective measures should be used while engaged in Category 1 tasks with exposure potential.)

Job Roles

Registered Respiratory Care Practitioner (AHCL)

• Assesses and documents the appropriateness of prescribed therapy (including recommendations) for patients receiving respiratory care services. Administers aerosol and oxygen therapy, while maintaining charts. Draws arterial blood gases per policy and physician order. Provides care to ventilator patients. Assists in department record keeping and operation, as well as participation in training and supervision of new employees. Documents care given; maintains records of treatment given; generates necessary documents for charges or record keeping. Assists in the instruction of nursing personnel in surveillance of patient and equipment after initial installation. Performs pulmonary function tests, drainage procedures, and provides additional patient care regarding cardio respiratory disease. Provides suggestions regarding the patients’ treatment and pulmonary progress. Provides assistance in cardio respiratory rehabilitation. Provides instruction to patients and family in the nature of cardio respiratory disease and its ramifications. Makes rounds to check all respiratory therapy equipment in use or on standby in patient areas. Ensures completion of the initial ventilator bundle orders upon initiation of mechanical ventilation. Ensures compliance of VAP bundle for all patients receiving mechanical ventilation. Identifies measurable and reasonable outcomes while using appropriate therapy interventions to resolve patient needs. Updates and communicates the diagnosis throughout the patient's stay based on patient's changing condition and disease status. Assis