Respiratory Therapist

Summary

Respiratory Therapist at Mary Free Bed are a key member of the multi-disciplinary team that collaborates together to provide patient-centered care. Respiratory therapist coordinate, direct, delegate, and provide care to multiple patients. Using a patient and family-centered care approach, each Respiratory Therapist develops relationships with patients, families, and colleagues that enhance the quality of care provided. Respiratory Therapy is performed with compassion and courtesy, and each Respiratory Therapist is responsible to follow departmental policies and service standards. Patient and family education is a primary focus and is a critical aspect of the interdisciplinary team's efforts to assist patients to gain independence, apply adaptation strategies, and return to home.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Provide patient care, treatment, and services within the scope of their license, certification or registration and as required by Federal and State laws and regulations.
• The Respiratory Therapist is responsible for all respiratory care provided to patients at Mary Free Bed. Through careful assessment of each patient, interdisciplinary collaboration, and critical thinking, each Respiratory Therapist develops and/or follows a patient-centered plan of care that aligns with the priorities and plans developed by the attending physician and other disciplines.
• Scope of services will include reviewing medical history and evaluation of patient for:
  
  • Respiratory Evaluation and Treat Protocol
    
    • Bronchodilator Care
    • Secretion mobilization and lung expansion therapy
    • Sleep Disorder screening
      
  • Ventilator Care
    • Adult Vent Weaning Protocol and management
    • Pediatric Vent Weaning Protocol and management
    • Non-Invasive Ventilator Management
      
  • Airway Care and Management
    • Tracheostomy changes
    • Decannulation roadmap
      
  • Bipap/Cpap therapy
  • Appropriate Oxygen and Aerosol Therapy
  • Discharge Education and discharge coordination for patients.
  • Diagnostic Procedures/Testing
    • Assist Pulmonologist with Bronchoscopies
    • EKG's
    • Blood Gas - collection and analysis
    • TCOM monitoring and downloads
    • Overnight pulse ox study and download
      
    
    
  
  
• Each Respiratory Therapist will participate in performance improvement through identification of ways to improve care, reporting unexpected events or medical errors, and reporting "near misses". As requested, the Respiratory Therapist will participate in data collection and documentation audits to assist with quality improvement measures.
• Each Respiratory Therapist is responsible to promote safety for all patients served by following all applicable department policies and procedures. Respiratory Therapist will understand and contribute to the initiatives that are in place to improve the safety of the patients served. Additionally, a culture of patient safety is very important at MFB and this requires all employees to be able to identify and report unexpected events and near misses without the fear of reprisal or retaliation. Retaliation or intimidation towards another employee for reporting unexpected events or near misses will not be tolerated. Finally, when threats to patient safety are identified, or opportunities for improvement are noted, these will be communicated with the Leadership Team.
• Each Respiratory Therapist must deal discreetly and sensitively with confidential information, and as needed, will perform customer service recovery with patients and family members.
• Interdisciplinary team integration and collaboration across disciplines to provide patient-centered care is a priority at Mary Free Bed. Maintaining effective working relationships with admitting and consulting physicians at Mary Free Bed is an important responsibility of each Respiratory Therapist. In addition, each Respiratory Therapist is responsible to develop and maintain professional working relationships with colleagues from other disciplines that are involved in the care of each patient and family.
• Each Respiratory Therapist employed at Mary Free Bed is responsible to perform within the policies, procedures, and standards of care set by the organization. This often requires demonstration of competency to meet regulatory and accreditation requirements and in alignment with recognized standards of care and best practice benchmarks. Each Respiratory Therapist is responsible to demonstrate competency in those areas required by the department, within the defined time frame.
• A culture of professionalism, respect, and accountability is critical to fulfilling the mission of Mary Free Bed Hospital. Each Respiratory Therapist is responsible for encouraging a culture of personal accountability, solution-seeking behavior, and mutual respect, open communication, acceptance of change, enthusiasm, and pride. As opportunities for celebration and opportunities for improvement are identified, each Respiratory Therapist will share this information with a member of the Leadership Team
• Responsible to follow all policies and procedures related to employee safety. When risks to employee safety are identified (self or others), will take appropriate steps to reduce those risks, communicate with the Director of Respiratory and to maintain a physical work environment that reflects the high quality nursing services delivered at Mary Free Bed.
• Respiratory Therapist will assist with employee selection and orientation process for new team members. Interview questions and feedback will be presented professionally and tactfully, and information discussed during the interviews will remain confidential, if needed. As a preceptor, each Respiratory Therapist will collaborate with the Leadership Team to provide a comprehensive orientation for the new team member.
• Each Respiratory Therapist will follow departmental policies and procedures related to payroll practices, patient chargeable items and other opportunities to provide high-value nursing care at a reasonable price to our customers. As opportunities for cost savings and efficiency are identified, these will be shared with the appropriate member of the Leadership Team. Will obtain skill set needed to participate in the growth of strategic programs within MFB.
• Embrace Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, by:
  

Treating everyone with dignity and respect

Opening more doors to opportunities for underrepresented cultures

Growing talent and people

Evaluating and eliminating disparities

Taking action against injustices, bias and racism

Honoring our differences and how to collaborate

Educating staff, patients and the communities we care for

Restoring Hope and Freedom, together

Customer Service Responsibilities

Demonstrate excellent customer service and standards of behaviors as well as encourages, coaches, and monitors the same in team members. This individual should consistently promote teamwork and direct communication with co-workers and deal discretely and sensitively with confidential information.

Responsibilities in Quality Improvement

Contribute by identifying problems and seeking solutions. Promote patient/family satisfaction where possible; participates in departmental efforts to monitor and report customer service.

Essential Job Qualifications

• Registered Respiratory Therapist in the state of Michigan. Newly graduated respiratory therapist have 90 days to successfully complete registry exam.
• Associates degree is required.
• Current ACLS and PALS certification. May obtain within nine months of assuming the position.
• Previous experience as a Respiratory Therapist, is preferred but not required.
• Strong critical thinking, decision-making, delegation, and leadership skills are required to work.
• Time management and organizational skills are very important, as well as effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Must be able to work effectively under time requirements and deadlines, problem-solve when facing unexpected issues, handle interruptions, and prioritize effectively.
  

Physical Requirements for Essential Job Qualification

Levels:

• None (No specific requirements)
• Occasionally (Less than 1/3)
• Frequently (1/3 to 2/3)
• Majority (More than 2/3)
  

• Remain in a stationary position: Occasionally
• Traverse or move around work location: Majority
• Use keyboard: Frequently
• Operate or use department specific equipment: Majority
• Ascend/Descend equipment or ladder: None
• Position self to accomplish the Essential Functions of the role: Majority
• Receive and communicate information and ideas for understanding: Majority
• Transport, position, and/or exert force:
• Up to 10 pounds: Majority
• Up to 25 pounds: Frequently
• Up to 50 pounds: none
• Up to 75 pounds: none
• More than 100 pounds: none
• Other weight: Up to_35__ pounds Occasionally
• Other: _____
  

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees in this classification. If you require a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential functions of this position, you must request accommodation in writing, within 182 days after you know or should know of the need for accommodation.

Mary Free Bed is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, genetic information, veteran status, disability or other legally protected characteristic.