Respiratory Therapy Practitioner - ECU Health

ECU Health

About ECU Health Medical Center

ECU Health Medical Center, one of four academic medical centers in North Carolina, is the 974-bed flagship hospital for ECU Health and serves as the primary teaching hospital for The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. ECU Health Medical Center has achieved Magnet® designation twice and provides acute and intermediate care, rehabilitation and outpatient health services to a 29-county region that is home to more than 1.4 million people.

Position Summary

Under the Clinical Supervision of the Medical Director of Respiratory Care and the overall supervision of the Manager of Respiratory Care and Respiratory Care Supervisor the Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) provides safe, expedient, cost-effective Respiratory Care services. As a member of a team of health care professionals, an RCP evaluates, treats and manages patients of all ages with respiratory illnesses and other cardiopulmonary disorders in a wide variety of clinical settings. Respiratory Care Practitioners behave in a manner consistent with the standards and ethics of all health care professionals. In addition to performing respiratory care procedures, RCP's are involved in clinical decision-making (such as patient assessment, treatment selection and reassessment of treatment efficacy), goal directed respiratory care planning and patient education. RCP's are required to document in the patient medical record factual, accurate, complete, timely, legible and legal information about the care they provide to each patient. Each RCP is responsible for billing the patient correctly for the services provided.

Responsibilities

1. Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide service appropriate to the age of the patient. Assess the appropriateness of prescribed respiratory care by acquiring and evaluating clinical data and assessing the cardiopulmonary and overall status of the patient based on the age of the patient.
2. Initiates a respiratory care plan upon admission to Respiratory Services identifying primary respiratory problem, goals and interventions. Updates care plan at least once per shift relative to the progress toward the goal.
3. Initiates respiratory care, evaluating and monitoring patients' responses to such care, modifying the prescribed respiratory therapy and cardiopulmonary procedures and life support endeavors to achieve desired therapeutic objectives. Provides and records all patient and family education in patient medical record. Maintains confidentiality of all patient information.
4. Participates in life-support activities as required, responds to Trauma, High Risk Deliveries, and Code Blue emergencies throughout the hospital. Provides therapeutic interventions with oxygen therapy, aerosol therapy, airway care, lung expansion, bronchial hygiene, invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation. Provides and assesses information from respiratory parameter studies, peak flow measurements, pulse oximetry monitoring, ABG/VBG/CBG results, capnography, pulmonary mechanics and graphics monitors, hemodynamic monitoring, and cardiac output monitoring. Monitors, provides oxygen and airway support to patients receiving ICD changes.
5. Uses universal precautions appropriately and performs proper handwashing between each patient. Learns and uses Respiratory "Red Rules" and Patient Safety Behaviors to provide safe patient care.
6. Uses department "scripts" to effectively communicate with other departments, patients, families, coworkers and students in person or over the phone.
7. Demonstrates safe operation of all equipment in compliance with department policy, safety, disinfection, infection control and quality control standards. Demonstrates effective computer skills for electronic charting, billing and respiratory order processing.
8. As directed by the supervisor, may have additional responsibility as charge therapist and or preceptor for students and or new employees.
9. Participates in In-Service Education, Patient Rounds and Conferences and maintains 24 hours continuing education credits per year.

Minimum Requirements

American Heart Association BLS Certification

Associate Degree or higher in an approved CoARC program for Respiratory Care.

Active licensure with the North Carolina Respiratory Care Board upon hire and is maintained yearly.

Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) or Registry Eligible with RRT credential obtained within 1 year of graduation.

American Heart Association ACLS, if not current at time of hire, must complete within first 6 months of Employment and maintained.

If working in the Children's hospital you are required to have AHA PALS and NRP in place of the AHA ACLS and you must have completed the NBRC NPS exam by 12 months from your orientation end date.

For non-medical center Respiratory care departments AHA BLS and ACLS are required. AHA PALS and NRP are required at 6 months from hire date.

0 to 3 years post graduate experience is required.

General Statement

It is the goal of ECU Health and its entities to employ the most qualified individual who best matches the requirements for the vacant position.

Offers of employment are subject to successful completion of all pre-employment screenings, which may include an occupational health screening, criminal record check, education, reference, and licensure verification.

We value diversity and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Decisions of employment are made based on business needs, job requirements and applicant’s qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, genetic information and testing, family and medical leave, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other status protected by law. We prohibit retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint.