Respiratory Therapist Specialist

Compensation: $10,000 SIGN ON BONUS and an estimated salary of $64,852 per year.

We are a small community hospital where your voice is heard. We believe in sharing ideas and working with staff to create innovative solutions to improve employee engagement and patient care.

We offer:

A generous vacation package that is front loaded based on budgeted hours. Ex. 40 hours/ week = 26 days a year

Sick Time on an accrual basis

401(k)/Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance/Employee Assistance Program

Voluntary Benefit Options

Tuition Reimbursement, Free Parking

Perk Spots (Discounts at local retailers, restaurants, travel, and childcare centers)

Career Growth within the organization

Job Summary:

As a Respiratory Therapist Specialist, you will perform safe respiratory therapy modalities as ordered by physician, developing a plan of care based on assessment data and standards of care, identifying needs for alternative action in the plan of treatment and involving the multi-disciplinary team in revisions to plan of care.

You will set up, maintain and monitor mechanical ventilation according to policy and procedure.

Administer medications demonstrating thorough knowledge of policy and procedure. Assemble, select, and operate equipment for proper operation and cleanliness.

This includes but is not limited to mechanical ventilators, BIPAP/CPAP systems, oxygen delivery devices and oxygen analyzers, manual resuscitators and suctioning equipment.

You will perform tracheal, endotracheal and nasopharyngeal suctioning including the instillation of pharmacologic agents according to policy and procedure.

Draw and analyze blood gases by arterial stick according to policy and procedure.

Interpret arterial blood gas and oximetry results.

Differentiate between patient and equipment problems and intervene appropriately.

Document and communicate all patient therapies including concerns during shift.

Education/Certification:

A graduate of an approved Respiratory Care program must provide a copy of diploma or transcript upon hire.

The candidate must hold the credential of Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) or Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) from the National Board of Respiratory Care and a current license from the State of Connecticut to practice as a Respiratory Care Practitioner.

A candidate with a CRT credential must be registry eligible and obtain the RRT credential from the NBRC within 18 months of employment.

The candidate will hold a current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

Current Neonatal Resuscitation Program Provider (NRP) or Neonatal Advanced Life Support (NALS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Advance Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable but not required.

Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT) certification is also desirable.

Experience:

A minimum of one year of skilled respiratory experience within the last two years is required.

You must be able to work well with others in a multi-task, fast-paced patient care environment.

Competencies:

You must possess a strong focus on customer service and exhibit patience and empathy while providing care to a culturally diverse group of patients.

You must be able to speak, read, and write using the English language.

Effective verbal communication is essential with patients, co-workers, and physicians.

Effective written communication is required for accurate medical charting of respiratory services provided and concurrently clear and precise medical billing.

You must have access to reliable transportation to travel between multiple work sites; and travel is required in order to perform essential duties.

Responsibilities:

The responsibilities and competencies listed below may change from time to time. Job-specific competency includes understanding the theory and operation of the blood gas analyzer as evidenced by the ability to assess the accuracy/precision of the instrument utilizing daily maintenance record, routine troubleshooting and QC material.

You will perform basic troubleshooting, change a cartridge and run CVP.

Perform and monitor daily QC.

Recognize problems and take appropriate corrective action as evidenced by documentation in the QC daily log sheet.

Complete documentation of pre-analytic indicators in the blood gas result form.

You will demonstrate safe and proper sampling, collection and transport of arterial, capillary and A-line blood gases as evidenced by successful completion of competencies including understanding age specific requirements for sampling and testing and direct observation.

Exemplary performance involves consistently labeling syringes and transporting specimen in biohazard bag with compliance > 90%.

You will be able to perform pulmonary function testing (PFT) as evidenced by test data review, direct observation and feedback from medical director.

Completes PFT in exemplary fashion by performing routine maintenance on PFT machine.

You will be able to perform Broncho Provocation and Pulmonary Exercise testing as evidenced by test data review, direct observation and feedback from medical director.

Exemplary performance involves quality tests > 90%.

You will demonstrate knowledge of operation and set up of bronchoscopy and monitoring equipment.

Show proper skill level setting up cart including labeling of medications/solutions when appropriate and performing Time Out during out-patient and in-patient procedures as evidenced by competencies and/or direct observation.

Consistently labels medications/solutions removed from original packaging with compliance >90%.

You will perform all respiratory care services according to physician's order demonstrating a good knowledge of departmental policy and procedure and the ability to make appropriate decisions based on these policies and procedures as evidenced by direct observation.

Exemplary performance involves less than 3 notifications to supervisor/site-manager for policy and procedure decisions.

You will demonstrate knowledge of principles, theory and operation of respiratory equipment and monitoring systems in the critical care environment (vents, BIPAP) to all age groups as evidenced by competencies and/or direct observation.

Trouble shoots equipment, labels and removes equipment from service and notifies Biomed.

You will perform patient assessment prior to initiation of all respiratory therapy and as part of the reorder evaluation according to departmental policy and procedure.

Consistently identifies and moves Problem/Goal and documents Education needs for respiratory interventions in Meditech.

Compliance > 90%.

You will demonstrate proper operation, set-up and monitoring or equipment used for the delivery of therapeutic gases (Heli-Ox, Bubble CPAP, Hi-Flow O2, heated humidifiers, nebulized and humidified O2) as evidenced by competencies and/or direct observation.

Minimum Qshift documentation in Meditech Process Interventions (PI) Compliance > 90%.

You will perform aerosol therapy (small volume nebs, large volume nebs, RespirGuard nebs, Vix1 nebs) in accordance to departmental policy and procedure as evidenced by competencies and/or direct observation.

Consistently performs therapy as ordered and documents administration and non-administration in Meditech e-MAR and Process Interventions (PI).

Compliance > 90%.

You will perform Chest Physio Therapy (postural drainage, percussions and vibrations) in accordance to departmental policy and procedure as evidenced by competencies and/or direct observation.

Consistently documents therapy given and therapy not given as ordered in Meditech Process Interventions (PI).

Compliance > 90%.

You will perform proper technique in suctioning (open and closed systems) in age specific populations in accordance with department policy and procedure as evidenced by competencies and/or direct observation.

Minimal Qshift documentation of suctioning in routine vent check.

Compliance > 90%.

You will deliver medications safely in accordance with 2-identifier policy and procedure as evidenced by competencies and/or direct observation.

Responds to adverse effects of medications by proper notification to physician and online IRIS report.

Consistently performs 2-identifier policy and procedure.

Compliance > 90%.

You will perform 12-lead EKGs to all age groups when necessary (RGH only).

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