Respiratory Therapist Senior

SUMMARY:

We are currently seeking a Senior Respiratory Therapist to join our Respiratory Care Team. This position is part-time with benefits, 72 hours per pay period, night shift and every 3rd weekend, 12-hour shifts.

Purpose of this position:

The purpose of this position is to assess and administer respiratory care under medical direction. This position provides work direction and instruction to respiratory care practitioners.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Respond to cardiopulmonary emergencies and assists in establishing/ maintaining a patent airway including care for the potential effects of an artificial airway
• Coordinate work assignments and serves as a resource to staff in the absence of the Supervisor
• Cover the specialized needs of the Pediatric and Newborn Intensive Care units
• Serve as a resource person for respiratory care practitioners, students and medical personnel regarding department procedures and policies
• Provides manual ventilation and airway management under the direction of a physician
• Provides mechanical ventilatory support and monitoring in the intensive care units and during patient transports
• Initiates, monitors and makes recommendations regarding respiratory care procedures
• Records actions and observations on patient care delivery in the EHR
• Operates and maintains all respiratory care equipment
• Performs diagnostic procedures such as apnea testing, spirometry, and sputum induction
• Assists with staff orientation and competency development
• Instructs, monitors, and provides feedback to students
• Incorporates safety, infection control and quality improvement guidelines into the environment of care
• Responsible for the safe and effective administration of medically prescribed medications, knowing their indications and contraindications
• Knows and follows the indications and contraindications for administering therapeutic modalities
• Monitors and troubleshoots oxygen administration as requested
• Assures the proper and safe use of medical gas cylinders (oxygen, heliox, nitric oxide)
• Performs bedside PFT testing. May perform testing in PFT lab following adequate training and/or orientation
• Performs arterial punctures using radial and brachial sites
• Be a member of the "code team" responding to arrest situations. As part of the team may be expected to perform CPR (compression)
• Must be certified in CPR procedures bi-annually
• Responds to Rapid Response Team calls
• Responsible for the set up, safety check, monitoring, adjustments to, and troubleshooting of mechanical ventilators
• Responsible for the set up and administration of CPAP and non-invasive ventilation
• Report patient progress, and anticipated changes in patient care to the next shift
• Proper documentation in department records. Participates in staff meetings, attends lectures, conferences and seminars
• Assists with bedside bronchoscopies in ventilated/non-ventilated patients

Qualifications:

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Qualifications:

• Completion of a two or four year Respiratory Care program approved by the Commission on the accreditation of Respiratory Care (CoARC)
• AND•Two years of experience as a respiratory care practitioner

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree preferred
• Neonatal and/or pediatric experience is preferred

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Demonstrated Leadership Qualities License/Certifications:

• Licensed with the State of Minnesota as a Registered Respiratory Therapist
• Certified as a Respiratory Therapist (CRT) by the National Board of Respiratory Care (NRBC)
• Registered as a Respiratory Therapist (RRT) by the National Board of Respiratory Care (NRBC)