Respiratory Therapist/ Per-Diem

ABOUT US:

With energy and purpose, Cooley Dickinson Health Care, a member of the Mass General Brigham system, is advancing health care in western Massachusetts, and has been since 1886. Our network employs more than 2,000 medical professionals and support staff, at our main Hospital campus in Northampton and additional locations in twelve towns throughout the Pioneer Valley. Cooley Dickinson's VNA & Hospice is also a vital part of our network, providing home-based services throughout Hampshire and Franklin counties.

OUR BENEFITS:

In addition to competitive pay, all Cooley Dickinson employees who work 20 hours or more per week have access to the following benefits with no waiting period:

* A range of health, dental, vision, prescription, and life insurance benefits.
* A generous and flexible Earned Time Off program starting at six weeks accrual per year.
* 403(b) retirement plan with various investment options.
* Opportunities and support for continued education including tuition reimbursement.

MAIN FUNCTION:

The Respiratory Therapist performs various technical duties to administer respiratory therapy treatments to assigned patients.

This position reports to the Clinical Manager, Respiratory Care and operates within established organizational and departmental policies and procedures.

This position is part of the 1199 SEIU Bargaining Unit at Cooley Dickinson Hospital.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

* Set up, apply, and administer therapy as directed, using complete range of respiratory equipment. Control such factors as respiratory ratio, pressure, volume, percentage of oxygen and other gases, administer aerosol medications, continuously monitor patient's condition.
* Perform pulmonary consultations and make recommendations for modes of therapy, frequency, medication, and duration as requested. Evaluate effectiveness of therapy by auscultation, laboratory tests, clinical observation, reporting significant changes to attending physicians and supervisors.
* Perform basic bedside pulmonary testing. Perform advanced pulmonary function testing in the pulmonary function laboratory using highly technical and complex equipment to measure volumes, flows, diffusion rates, and metabolic oxygen requirements.
* Perform techniques used in blood gas analysis. Oversee the training of all new personnel rotating through the Blood Gas Laboratory. Perform basic sleep studies.
* Maintain required records, charts, etc. Record treatments given and as needed, prepare charges for submission to accounting. Assist in setting up and maintaining quality control standards and programs within the department.
* Provide direction, assistance, and guidance to assigned personnel. Participate as an instructor in teaching basic respiratory therapy procedures and routines to other hospital staff who have occasion to handle respiratory equipment. Assist supervisory personnel in orientation and further training of new personnel.
* Provide education to patients on disease processes, breathing, medications, and use of home respiratory therapy equipment when requested by physician or nursing.
* Provide emergency assistance such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
* Assist in reconditioning and maintenance of routine therapy equipment. Maintain, calibrate, and repair highly specialized diagnostic and therapeutic equipment, such as blood gas analyzers, computerized pulmonary function and gas analyzers.
* Follow all organizational and departmental policies and procedures, objectives, confidentiality, quality improvement program, compliance, safety, infection control, environmental standards, and information management systems standards of use.
* Maintain professional growth and development through attendance at seminars, workshops, conferences or in-services, professional affiliations or journals to stay abreast of current trends in field of expertise and to fulfill all national and state CE requirements.
* Meet annual competency and retraining requirements.
* Attend meetings as required.
* Perform other functions/duties as requested.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

* Associates degree or equivalent required
* Respiratory Therapist license in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts required
* Basic Life Support (BLS) for the Healthcare Provider certification from the American Heart Association required
* NRP from the American Academy of Pediatrics required within 3 months of hire or transfer into position
* Six months to one year of experience required