Respiratory Therapist

At Bon Secours Mercy Health, we are dedicated to continually improving health care quality, safety and cost effectiveness. Our hospitals, care sites and clinicians are recognized for clinical and operational excellence.

Summary of Primary Function/General Purpose of Position

The Respiratory Care Practitioner III is responsible for providing respiratory care through patient assessment, planning, intervention, education, and evaluation. Performs all respiratory care procedures within scope of license. Monitors the patient's response to therapies and makes recommendations to change or modify based on the assessment. Provides clinical leadership to staff and assists with identifying quality improvement initiatives.

Essential Job Functions

• Provides support to clinical learning through mentorship, clinical rounds and practice evaluation provides clinical leadership for the advancement of professional respiratory practice to staff in the intensive care, general care, and outpatient services. Provides feedback for coaching and performance evaluations of team members. May provide clinical instruction and/or in-service training to department staff, other healthcare team members, and students.

• Assists with identifying quality improvement initiatives and design programs that provide measurable outcomes. Leads clinical research initiatives ensuring education, training, and implementation of the study design. May be responsible for data collection and accurate record keeping as well as product evaluation and assessment.

• Actively participates in facility councils and committees.

• May serve as the shift “Charge Therapist” with responsibility of ensuring adequate number of respiratory care staff to cover patient care areas and needs. This may include assigning respiratory care staff to work areas and/or work assignments, modifying work assignments, assisting with meal coverage, fielding call offs and providing adequate staffing levels for the next shift. Serve as a preceptor to new team members and/or students.

• In collaboration with the interdisciplinary care team, conducts initial and ongoing patient assessment, analyzes assessment data, creates a plan of care, implements treatment and evaluates treatment effectiveness.

• Performs treatments and therapies according to physician orders. Explains therapy and therapeutic goals to patient; modifies treatment procedures based on patient response. Sets up and maintains different modes of therapy. Determines appropriateness of prescribed therapy and recommends methods to physician to achieve therapeutic goals.

• Maintains proper documentation, patient medical charting and recordkeeping. Maintains established policies and procedures, objectives, quality assurance program, safety, environmental, and infection control standards.

• Provides patient education on cardiopulmonary diseases/disorders and associated treatment options. Instructs patient and patient’s caregiver(s) in incentive spirometer, metered dose inhaler (MDI) administration, oxygen therapy, home aerosol therapy, or ventilator care, if applicable.

• Sets up and maintains 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. Employees may be required to perform other job-related duties as required by their supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodation.

Licensing/Certification

Current Respiratory Care License in the state they are working (required)

National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) credentialed (required)

Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) (preferred)

BLS Basic Life Support - American Heart Association (required)

ACLS Advanced Cardiac Life Support - American Heart Association or Red Cross (required)

PALS Pediatric Advanced Life Support - American Heart Association (required)

NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program) - AAP/AWHONN (preferred)

Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT) (preferred)

Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT) (preferred)

ACCS (Adult Critical Care Specialist) - NBRC (preferred)

Valid driver’s license (required for Home Care/DME)

Education

Graduate of an AMA approved school for Respiratory Care (required)

Bachelor's Degree in a related field (preferred)

Master's Degree in a related field (preferred)

Work Experience

Two years of experience as a Respiratory Care Professional (required)

Competency in at least two of the following environments: Nursery/NICU, PICU, ICU/CCU, ED, and general care areas. (required)

Training

EPIC Electronic Health Record (EHR) training (preferred)

Language

None

Patient Population – Competency is based on the patient population of the site/facility

Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development of the life span and possesses the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interprets the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his or her age, specific needs and to provide the care needed as described in departmental policies and procedures.

Neonates (0-4 weeks)

Infant (1-12 months)

Pediatrics (1-12 years)

Adolescents (13-17 years)

Adults (18-64 years)

Geriatrics (65 years and older)

Working Conditions

Periods of high stress and fluctuating workloads may occur

May be exposed to physical altercations and verbal abuse

May be exposed to high noise levels and bright lights

May be exposed to limited hazardous substances or body fluids*

May be exposed to human blood and other potentially infectious materials*

May have periods of constant interruptions

* Individuals in this position are required to exercise universal precautions, use personal protective equipment and devices, and learn the policies concerning infection control.

Hazards

Depth perception

Use of Latex products

Exposure to moving mechanical parts

Exposure to dust/fumes

Exposure to potential electrical shock

Exposure to x ray/electromagnetic energy

Exposure to high pitched noises

Gaseous risk exposure

Skills

Strong interpersonal skills and able to effectively interact with patients, their families, physicians, and other staff members

Good communication skills

Able to effectively work with diverse people

Good customer service skills

Good organizational skills and time management skills

Good oral and written communication

Able to receive feedback

Able to gather and interpret data

Accountability

Knowledge of non-invasive respiratory therapy equipment such as oximeters or end-tidal CO2 analyzers

Therapeutic Procedures to include CPAP/BiPap, jet aerosol, oxygen therapy, incentive spirometry, chest physiotherapy, pulse oximetry, high flow oxygen, continuous aerosols, ventilator management, diagnostic testing.

Understanding of EKGs, electronic monitoring, lead placement, and basic arrhythmias.

Arterial blood gas punctures and testing

Airway maneuvers

Bedside pulmonary function

Patient assessment

Patient education

Knowledge of chest suction equipment

Knowledge of chest X-ray interpretation

Many of our opportunities reward* your hard work with:

Comprehensive, affordable medical, dental and vision plans

Prescription drug coverage

Flexible spending accounts

Life insurance w/AD&D

Employer contributions to retirement savings plan when eligible

Paid time off

Educational Assistance

And much more

*Benefits offerings vary according to employment status

All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, or protected veteran status, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. If you'd like to view a copy of the affirmative action plan or policy statement for Mercy Health – Youngstown, Ohio or Bon Secours – Franklin, Virginia; Petersburg, Virginia; and Emporia, Virginia, which are Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employers, please email recruitment@mercy.com . If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation as part of the employment selection process, please contact The Talent Acquisition Team at recruitment@mercy.com