Respiratory Therapist - Hackensack Meridian Mountainside Medical Center

Join our team as aday shift, full-time, Respiratory Therapist in Montclair, NJ.

$10,000 Sign On Bonus

Fulfilling your purpose begins here: 

People First, Always. Here’s how we take care of our people: 

• Medical, vision, dental health insurance, health savings account / flexible spending, competitive pay, paid time off, 401k retirement plan with company match, employee assistance program and more. 

Your team is bigger than your department: 

• Hackensack Meridian Mountainside Medical Center is an 820,000-square-foot facility that offers the latest medical programs, cutting-edge technology, and patient-focused care that includes 365 beds, 1,200+ employees and a 27-bed Emergency Room/Fast Track Unit.
• We believe healthcare is a team sport and every player has something to contribute. We show compassion, celebrate differences and treat one another with respect. 

• Demonstrates a thorough understanding of all policies and procedures concerning Respiratory Therapy responsibilities as outlined in the policy and procedure manual. Maintains effective communication with medical staff, administrative staff, nursing staff and other team members. 
• Reviews the patient's medical record for orders, pertinent history, and diagnosis.
• Verifies each physician's order in the patient's medical record and acts appropriately when an order should be questioned. 
• Properly verifies the identification before performing a prescribed treatment or procedure.
• Administers all physician prescribed therapies to include forms of gas, positive pressure breathing, humidity, and aerosol therapy. 
• Administers prescribed medications, humidity, and various oxygen concentrations.
• Performs chest physiotherapy on patients to mobilize secretions, paying particular attention to lobes specifically mentioned in x-ray reports when available. 
• Performs arterial blood gas sampling and analyses as requested by adhering to State Standards of wearing gloves and labeling sample. Reports all results according to approved hospital and departmental policy and procedures.
• Performs all aspects of mechanical ventilation and airway management. Maintains airway suctioning and ensures proper tube placement.
• Performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation by seeing that the patient is adequately ventilated. Responds appropriately to emergency situations. 
• Participates in physician consultations and recommendations regarding the administration of various respiratory therapeutic modalities. 
• Introduces equipment to the patient and explains each procedure (including duration) and course of treatment to diminish the patient's anxiety and ensure cooperation. Responds to questions appropriately. 
• Instructs patients and families, informally, as to the safety procedures necessary when Respiratory Therapy equipment is in use or when treatments are administered. 
• Provides a comprehensive and detailed report all patient information to the oncoming shift, shift coordinator, and/or charge person. 
• Documents goals and objectives, treatment plan, and treatment outcomes on appropriate chart forms in a neat, organized, and complete manner. Documents check-out procedures for ventilators. 
• Documents and reports any adverse reaction or change in a patient's status to the nurse and/or physician. 
• Completes appropriate billing process in computer according to departmental/hospital policy and procedures. 
• Consistently follows the discontinuation process for orders (i.e., contacts physicians as necessary, discontinues patients in Paragon from services).
• Maintains all departmental equipment in sanitary and proper working order. Reports malfunctions and operational problems to the supervisor or director. 
• Conducts quality control activities and performs maintenance on blood gas analyzers as necessary. 
• Accurately documents procedure for ventilators according to approved departmental policy and procedures. 
• Utilizes equipment and supplies according to approved manufacturer and departmental recommendations in a cost-conscious manner.
• Assists in the orientation of new employees and clinical training. 
• Readily offers assistance to co-workers on a regular basis to foster a true team approach to healthcare delivery. · Assists in in-service programs for the nursing staff, other Hospital employees, or the Respiratory Therapy Department. 
• Attends departmental meetings on a regular basis. 
• Adheres to departmental age-specific criteria as defined in departmental standards. 
• Accurately enters updates and audits one’s own time card system clocking transactions.
• Performs other duties as required and/or requested based on the needs of the patient, department and organization.
• Adheres to department policies and procedures ascertaining that Joint Commission, local, state and federal accrediting and licensing bodies’ requirements are met.
• Assists the organization in incorporating the guiding principles into its Respiratory Therapy Department.
• Assists in the Quality Assurance / Improvement Program of the Respiratory Therapy Department.
• Assists in inventory and restocking of supplies to the proper areas of the department, ensuring that patient care is uninterrupted. 
• Performs therapeutic and diagnostic procedures commensurate with the level of education and/or licensure. 
• Possesses a thorough working knowledge of the hospital computer systems and is able to perform all system functions necessary to achieve timely patient care. 
• Maintains current knowledge of respiratory therapy philosophies, models, procedures and innovations, trends in healthcare and standards of care. 
• Maintains positive working relationships with physicians and other members of the healthcare team.
• Performs “rounding” with nursing units during off-peak times to offer support and receive feedback. 
• Performs ECG tests throughout the entire hospital and manages data according to standards set by cardiology supervisor or manager (includes matching tests to orders & distributing).

Job Requirements

• Associate Degree from an approved NBRC Program
• Current CPR (BLS) OR ACLS required from an Accredited Institution by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross
• Licensed Respiratory Therapist in the State of New Jersey

• Effective oral and written communication skills to express ideas clearly

• Effective listening skills

• Ability to pay attention to details, often changing from one task to another without loss of efficiency or composure

• Ability to function competently in stressful situations and the changing work environment related to changing patient needs

• Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with patients, family members, and multidisciplinary team members (i.e., physicians, Rehab, DI, Lab, etc.)

• Ability to utilize effective time management to set priorities, perform job related responsibilities, and respond quickly to emergency situations

• Ability to use effective analytical and critical thinking skills to problem-solve

Preferred Job Requirements

• One to two years experience in all forms of Respiratory Therapy