Respiratory Care Assistant

Job Description:

ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital offers a broad range of inpatient and outpatient services in southern Michigan and Ohio. A national leader in treatment of heart attack, congestive heart failure, pneumonia and surgical care, ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital is also a pacesetter in Michigan for obstetrics, emergency care, intensive care, controlling infections and organ donation.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Respiratory Care Assistant will be competent to care for patients of all ages to include infants, children, adolescents, adult and geriatric population, dependent on the area assigned. The Respiratory Care Assistant is able to perform the skills/procedures validated by an accredited respiratory care program and approved by the state issuing the limited practice license, required by the assignment with supervision, according to regulatory standards, clinical practice guidelines, policies and procedures approved by the Medical Directors and Administration. This individual performs the duties and responsibilities outlined below as assigned, under supervision from the Respiratory Care Department leadership team and the Medical Directors of Respiratory Care. Standards of performance and skills for the areas to which the individual may be assigned must be maintained according to department policy. The individual must be committed to providing patients and families with a positive experience through compassionate care and excellent service, safely and efficiently. This individual will display professionalism at all times and maintain patient confidentiality.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

1. Achieves and maintains a level of competency to perform prescribed therapeutic and diagnostic procedures within their scope of practice per business unit, in accordance to departmental competency standards, which include general care, critical care, emergency care, and diagnostic procedures, including, but not limited to, the following:
- General Care: patient identification and assessment, medical gas delivery, medication administration via nebulizers and MDI/DPI, bronchopulmonary hygiene, and hyperinflation therapy
- Critical Care: initiation, management and weaning of invasive and non-invasive ventilation; airway management and suction, including tracheostomy, endotracheal and pharyngeal; cuff and ETCO2 monitoring, intubation assist and extubation; set-up, calibration, and maintenance of arterial and central venous pressure lines
- Emergency Care: responds to rapid responses and emergency codes, as required; performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), airway management, and actively participates in patient stabilization and internal transports
- Diagnostic Care: blood sampling and analysis, specimen collection, continuous and/or noninvasive monitoring, bedside pulmonary function screens, spontaneous breathing parameters, electrocardiograms (EKG)
o Note: critical tests and values will be reported in a timely manner per Hospital Policy.

2. Safely assembles, operates and trouble shoots therapeutic and diagnostic equipment required for patient care, including, but not limited to, the following:
- Gas administration, monitoring and analyzing devices, including flow meters and regulators, blenders, cylinders and bulk systems, compressors, analyzers, and pulse oximeters
- Mechanical devices, including mechanical ventilators, manometers, gauges, spirometers and EKG machines.
- Age specific patient care equipment, including resuscitation equipment, oral and nasal airways, endotracheal and tracheal tubes
- Equipment disinfection and sterilization

3. Understands and applies Respiratory Care Clinical Practice Guidelines, to provide safe, highly efficient, and cost effective care, using evidence based best practice.

4. Provide educational needs of patients on disease specific process, tobacco cessation and
respiratory care services provided, including instruction for home care equipment and
medications.

5. Assist with clinical instruction of respiratory care, nursing, and medical students and residents,
as needed. Actively participates in the orientation of new staff and contributes to the growth of
others

6. Understands and acts in accordance with all Respiratory Care and Hospital Policy and
Procedures for those areas assigned and is able to with minimal supervision in those areas.

7. Completes accurate patient documentation, including billing and productivity standards.
Participates in creating a plan of care, evaluate achievement of identified goals, record results and
communicate pertinent information to appropriate members of the health care team

8. Performs other related duties as assigned or requested, within the scope of training and
educational documentation as per Limited Permit

Job Requirements:

Education: Must be actively enrolled and in good standing, or a recent graduate of an accredited respiratory therapy program
Skills: Must be able to input and retrieve computer information
License: If working in an Ohio facility, a current Limited Permit License to render respiratory care services by the Ohio Respiratory Care Board in the State of Ohio. Membership in the American Association of Respiratory Care and other professional organizations is desired.
Certification: Must hold current BLS certification

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE

Be able to communicate and interact effectively and collaboratively with a variety of professionals, including physicians, nurses, care navigators and administrators, to promote a seamless patient care continuum. Be able to understand and comprehend directions and be able to communicate and respond to inquiries.
Have excellent communication, interpersonal, organizational, problem solving and critical thinking skills. Take ownership of problems, handle stress in a professional and healthy manner, and make informed decisions. Adheres to the code of ethics set forth by state respiratory care boards.
Be dependable, reliable, and punctual in accordance with department attendance policy, including mandatory overtime and on-call rotation, as needed. Attends required and staff meetings, including in-services, in accordance with department policy. Must appear professional and abide by appropriate dress code policy.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Personal Protective Equipment: Tolerate exposure to infectious diseases and follow infection prevention and control strategies.
Physical Demands: Be able to move about hospital and between workstations, efficiently and effectively. Must be able to occasionally and with assistance move heavy weight materials equipment, or patients.

Addendum

Cleaning/disinfecting/sterilizing equipment as needed
Managing oxygen cylinders, supplying to patient care areas as needed.
Assist with stocking areas of supplies, works with central supply to scan/stock areas as needed.
Unpacking delivery items and inventory control.
Other duties as assigned.
The above addendum is applicable to Respiratory Care Assistants who are enrolled in a Respiratory Therapy Program but are not yet eligible to obtain a limited permit to practice Respiratory Care in Ohio.
Respiratory Care Assistants will submit an application for a limited permit within 4 weeks of being eligible.

The above list of accountabilities is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by the incumbent; it should not be considered exhaustive.

ProMedica is a mission-based, not-for-profit integrated healthcare organizational headquartered in Toledo, Ohio. For more information, please visit www.promedica.org/about-promedica

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex/gender (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, age, physical or mental disability, military or protected veteran status, citizenship, familial or marital status, genetics, or any other legally protected category. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendment Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a job with ProMedica, please contact employment@promedica.org

Equal Opportunity Employer/Drug-Free Workplace