Description

• 30-40 hours per week
• No weekend rotation coverage unless covering vacation
• Holiday rotation required
  
  SUMMARY

The Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) provides care for all ages of patients. In addition to covering the general and pediatric nursing units and following competency assessment, this therapist may also accept patient care assignments in the Emergency Department, PACU and adult critical care. Some therapists provide services in other clinical areas as directed by their facility.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

New graduates are welcome to apply!

• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) through the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) required. Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) who is registry-eligible allowed entry into job classification – RRT must be obtained within 4 months to remain in RRT classification.
• Currently licensed as a Respiratory Therapist in the State of Michigan or eligible to apply.
• Clinical exposure to all aspects of pediatric and adult respiratory care required.

ORGANIZATION

• Accountable to the Respiratory Care Manager through the direct supervision of the Respiratory Care Clinical Coordinators.
• Provides direction to and supervision of Respiratory Technicians, Interns, Aides and Students.
• Works collaboratively and effectively with all members of the Patient Care Team.

AGE OF PATIENTS SERVED

X All ages (birth & above)

SPECIFIC DUTIES

Adult and Pediatric Care:

• Performs all routine respiratory care including oxygen and continuous aerosol therapy, aerosol treatments, MDI/DPI administration, chest physiotherapy/postural drainage, incentive spirometry, intermittent positive pressure breathing, PEP therapy, continuous positive airway pressure, tracheostomy care and continuous medicated aerosol therapy, as per department policy and procedure.
• Performs monitoring procedures including oximetry, capnometry, blood gas draws and analysis, weaning parameters, and peak flow measurements as per departmental policy and procedure.
• Performs emergency airway management and functions as a member of the Code Blue Adult and Pediatric Teams. Selected therapists, following in-service and demonstrated proficiency, may provide endotracheal intubation.
• Responds to all Medical Response Team (MRT) and Pediatric Medical Response Team (PRT) calls.
• Selected therapists, following orientation and demonstrated competency, performs ventilator care and management in the intensive care areas. Performs non-invasive ventilator care and management in various areas of the hospital.
• Performs respiratory care assessments for all patients cared for utilizing approved respiratory care protocols and established respiratory care plans.
• Maintains current BLS training. ACLS and/or PALS certification if required (specific to organization) within established timeframe. Participates in all mandatory education and proficiency testing for procedures performed in patient areas assigned.
• Performs continuous quality improvement measurements as directed by the department manager.
• Performs daily charges.
• Maintains infection control practices in performance of work duties. Assists with routine equipment processing and supply stocking.
• Accesses information via EMR. Routinely prints reports and verifies accuracy of active Respiratory Care orders, following up to correct incomplete or inaccurate orders. Assures discontinued orders are completed to remove them from the active orders listing.
• Utilizes Outlook to facilitate departmental communications.

GENERAL

• Supports the Mission, Vision and Values of Munson Healthcare.
• Embraces and supports the Performance Improvement philosophy of Munson Healthcare.
• Promotes personal and patient safety.
• Uses effective customer service/interpersonal skills at all times.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Selected therapists, following orientation and demonstrated competency:

• Assists in the orientation of new participants. Assists in the development of the plan of care with other staff members.
• Supervises exercise sessions, monitoring participants for inappropriate responses to exercise. Responsible for blood pressure checks on all participants pre and post exercise and watching for normal oximetry responses pre, post, and during exercise. Assess participants pre, during, and post exercise making appropriate referrals and/or recommendations to the participant, other staff, and the medical director.
• Immediately reports any significant participant conditions (i.e. unusual oxygen saturations, dysrhythmias, abnormal blood pressure responses, change in participant’s status, etc.. to the supervising physician. Initiated CPR measures and/or emergency care according to hospital policy.
• Documents initial assessment and daily participant information and progress.
• Instructs in breathing exercises (i.e. diaphragmatic and pursed lip breathing) to facilitate the exercise program.
• Leads participant education sessions in areas of respiratory expertise.
• Documents respiratory components of the pulmonary rehabilitation protocol.
• Recommends appropriate intervention and need for further treatment or referral in participant’s respiratory care.
• Helps arrange for home pulmonary equipment and services, as directed by the patient.
• Performs home oxygen qualification and conserving device evaluation as per physician order.
• Attends pulmonary rehabilitation team conferences to report participant progress and advise team of future plan.
• Attends all scheduled departmental and rehabilitation staff meetings.
• Keeps current in the field of pulmonary rehabilitation through journals, inservices, and conferences. May be required to attend MSRC pulmonary rehabilitation section meetings.

Pulmonary Function (at MMC, refer to job code 465)

Selected therapists, following orientation and demonstrated competency:

• Performs and maintains proficiency with inpatient and outpatient diagnostic studies for adult and older pediatric patients. Testing performed includes spirometry, lung volumes, diffusion, negative force measurements, MVV, airway resistance, bronchial challenge, exercise induced bronchospasm, pulmonary exercise studies and ambulatory oximetry.
• Maintains the accurate functioning of equipment through calibration, maintenance, troubleshooting, service and repair. Updates equipment and maintains documentation of these activities in a service and maintenance manual.
• Assists with pulmonary diagnostic equipment evaluations for future purchases.
• Schedules pulmonary diagnostic studies and coordinates these studies with other treatments and procedures as required.
• Communicates directly with the medical staff regarding special needs the patient may have in regard to pulmonary diagnostic studies.
• Charges for all diagnostic procedures performed, provides billing information for the interpreting physicians.

Cardiac Diagnostic Services

Selected therapists, following orientation and demonstrated competency:

• Performs routine and stat EKG’s for inpatients and outpatients.
• Performs cardiac stress tests.
• Administers routine Holter monitoring.

Charge/Lead Responsibilities

Selected therapists, following orientation and demonstrated competency:

• Evaluates and assigns patient care for the respiratory therapists. Monitors productivity and adjusts staffing as indicated.
• Receives notification of sick/personal days from staff. Seeks replacement staff as needed. Assists the manager in monitoring employee attendance and tardiness.
• Assists with orientation of new employees and staff competency assessment. Assigns and directs clinical supervision of respiratory students.
• In the event of a Code Triage serves as the on duty Respiratory Care team leader until arrival of manager. Assists Incident Command as requested.