Respiratory Care Practitioner

At Houston Methodist, the Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) position is responsible for performing routine respiratory care procedures as assigned, varying in complexity which include, but are not limited to, preparation, administration and monitoring of medication and treatment modalities and gas therapy, ventilator support, spirometry and assistance with bronchoscopy.
This position may perform diagnostic testing of the cardiac respiratory system, as appropriate.
As a member of the direct patient care team, the RCP position provides direct assistance to physicians and other care health professionals, with respiratory care-related procedures within the scope of the professional licensure. This position delivers exceptional patient care and adheres to standards and guidelines established by respiratory and regulatory agencies and Houston Methodist to ensure optimal patient safety and customer service. PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONSPromotes a positive work environment and contributes to a dynamic, team focused work unit that actively helps one other to achieve optimal department results.
Collaborates with all members of the inter-professional team by using progressive skills in therapeutic communication and reporting pertinent patient care information and data in a comprehensive manner, which includes active listening and teachingCommunicates effectively with others to facilitate providing the highest quality service during every customer and patient encounterPractices in a manner that is congruent with cultural diversity and inclusion principles.
Serves as a patient advocate in preventing/resolving ethical issues. Facilitates interventions to relieve the patient's/family spiritual distressProvides contributions towards improvement of department scores for turnover/retention/employee engagement, i.e. peer-to-peer accountabilitySERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONSPerforms respiratory care to include but not limited to:
arterial blood gas and analysis, pulse oximetry, spirometry and flow volume loops, lung volume determination, airway resistance measurement, breath diffusion capacity, bronchoprovocation testing, maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures, bronchodilator administration, diagnostic radiology procedures.
Prepares, administers and monitors treatment modalities and medication delivery.
Implements, monitors and evaluates ventilator supportPerforms other procedures and tests as needed and if assigned, such as Electrocardiograms, Holter's, and Arterial Blood GasProvides care for the physical needs of patients by executing various respiratory care concepts to maximize performance, which includes positioning, physiology, procedure preparation, and technical factors. Modifies technical factors to achieve desired results and recognizes complications / limitations associated with certain procedures.
Proactively identifies how to address these for optimum outcomesUses peer-to-peer accountability to contribute towards improving department score for patient satisfactionQUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONSTroubleshoots, calibrates and performs preventive maintenance and quality control on all equipment and analyzers per department guidelines, documenting activities.
Assembles, prepares, cleans and operates bronchoscopy equipment, monitoring equipment and accessories in accordance with manufacturing recommendations and department guidelines.
Reports malfunctionsProvides direct assistance to physicians, performing tests as ordered, assessing and assuring quality, acceptability and reliability of results; takes corrective action and involves others as needed toward achievement of this endContributes to identification of corrective action and improvement activities and to meet department and hospital targets for quality and safety, focusing on the task at hand and reporting near misses, and inputing errors promptly into Patient Safety Net to improve processes and identify trendsFINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONSAccurately documents all patient care and respiratory-related activities and procedures in the appropriate documentation system. Enters charges at the time service is deliveredUses resources efficiently; does not waste supplies.
Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively, minimizing incidental overtime, and prioritize daily tasksGROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONSParticipates in practice projects focused on innovation, efficiency or improvement in patient care and activities. Embraces and enacts new care pathways or service line implementation to improve service to the communityIdentifies own learning needs, consults with healthcare team experts and seeks continuing education opportunities to meet those needs to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development as a Respiratory Care Practitioner. Completes and updates the individual development plan (IDP) on an on-going basisThis job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. EDUCATIONGraduate of education program approved by the credentialing body for the required credential(s) indicated below in the Certifications, Licenses and Registrations sectionWORK EXPERIENCEone year experience as a Respiratory Care Practitioner preferred. LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIREDRRT - Registered Respiratory Therapist (NBRC) ANDRCP
- Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner - State Licensure ANDBLS - Basic Life Support (AHA) ANDACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support (AHA) -- Current incumbents have one year to obtain from effective date of job description within 90 days LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - PREFERREDPALS - Pediatric Advanced Life Support (AHA) -- depending on area assigned ANDNRP - Neonatal Resuscitation -- depending on area assigned KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIESDemonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluationsSufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or securityAbility to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principlesPossesses basic computer knowledge; operates multiple computer systems to maintain patient and exam documentsExhibits strong interpersonal and team player skills with all levels of the healthcare team and assures delivery of excellent customer service to all patients, visitors, physicians and co-workersDemonstrates time management skillsAdapts to multiple ongoing priorities with minimal supervision including, organizing work flow and actively participating in problem-solvingSUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTSWORK ATTIREUniform NoScrubs YesBusiness professional NoOther (department approved) YesON-CALL**Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.On Call* YesTRAVEL****Travel specifications may vary by department**May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area YesMay require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area NoCompany Profile:Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital opened in June 2017 as the eighth hospital in the Houston Methodist system. This 267-bed, 725,000-square-foot, full-service, acute-care hospital offers many of the same services as our flagship hospital in the Texas Medical Center. Also, on the beautiful hospital campus, located at the intersection of Interstate 45 and Texas State Highway 242, are two medical office buildings, which include a Breast Care Center; Cancer Center; infusion center; heart and vascular services; neurology; orthopedics and sports medicine; rehabilitation services; wellness services; an outpatient laboratory; and several other multispecialty physician practices. In January 2022, Houston Methodist The Woodlands opened Healing Tower — a $250 million expansion project that added 106 beds, focused on medical-surgical and women’s services, and provided nine operating rooms. The project also included the expansion of the endoscopy center, emergency department and diagnostic imaging department with an enhanced neurodiagnostic and interventional center.Houston Methodist is an equal opportunity employer inclusive of women, minorities, disabled persons and veterans.Equal Employment OpportunityHouston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.Equal employment opportunity is a sound and just concept to which Houston Methodist is firmly bound. Houston Methodist will not engage in discrimination against or harassment of any person employed or seeking employment with Houston Methodist on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law. VEVRAA Federal Contractor – priority referral Protected Veterans requested.

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