Respiratory Therapist (Registered) - Craig Hospital

Position Summary:

Responsible for the implementation and coordination of respiratory care based on the policies and procedures of the Respiratory Care Department. This position will also perform support activities such as setting up and operating various types of respiratory care equipment to be utilized in the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory disease and/or illness. This position is responsible for providing efficient, quality-oriented patient care activities and interdisciplinary team activities to ensure individualized, patient-centered health care for all patient populations admitted.

Position Requirements:

• Licensure/Certification/Registrations: Maintains active Colorado Respiratory Care Licensure. Current BLS for the Healthcare Provider, and ACLS through the American Heart Association.
• Education: Successful completion of an accredited Respiratory Therapy Program. Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).
• Experience: Two years recent clinical experience preferred
• Skills & Abilities: Sets appropriate priorities for acute respiratory medical-surgery and rehab patient's care needs. Must be able to successfully and effectively communicate with a variety of personnel. Organizes work while responding to changing demands. Understands and follows written and verbal instructions. Organizes work while being flexible toward changing demands. Demonstrates/possesses excellent interpersonal skills. Communicates positively, calmly and clearly in a timely manner, seeks and accepts direction. Meets all the physical requirements of the job. Recognize changes in all patients' condition, environment, and social atmosphere that affect the patient. Is able to triage and communicate information to the team in a timely and thorough manner. Demonstrates respect and sensitivity toward individuals with disabilities. The ability to work collaboratively with other departments and physicians. Able to respond to crises and emergency situations appropriately.

Essential Functions:

• Treat patients/families with dignity and respect and incorporate them as members of their care team.
• Act to uphold the rights and responsibilities of patients/families.
• Privacy/confidentiality is maintained for patient and staff information.
• Observe patients when changes occur. Report changes to the physician, nurse, therapist/s, or Director as appropriate.
• Work in collaboration with other respiratory therapists, RN's, physicians, and other team members to collect data for the patient care plan.
• Relay all pertinent information to the physician, RN, respiratory team or other team members as it affects the patient's care plan.
• Recognize changes in the patient's condition that require immediate action.
• Monitor and documents patient response to therapy.
• Assess changes in ventilation status and respond appropriately to changing patient demands.
• Set appropriate priorities for acute respiratory medical-surgery and rehab patient's care needs.
• Administer respiratory care, medications, and life support, by prescription, to patients with deficiencies and abnormalities of the cardiopulmonary system under the supervision of a physician and Director of Respiratory Care.
• Ensure safety of mechanical ventilation (both invasive and non-invasive) with assessment of prescribed settings, patient information / condition, and alarm appropriateness.
• Measure arterial blood gases, review patient information to assess the patient's condition and determine requirements for treatment.
• Sets-up and operates devices, such as mechanical ventilators, gas administration, aerosol generators, inhalants and other respiratory therapy devices.
• Responsible for the implementation and coordination of respiratory care procedures based on the policies and procedures of the Respiratory Care Department.
• Provide non-invasive monitoring of ventilation to assess patient's condition and determine requirements for treatment.
• Is available to all patient requirements throughout the shift, unless patient assignment has been delegated to another respiratory therapist for cross coverage.
• Provide all modalities of airway clearance therapy (deep suctioning, nasal-tracheal suctioning, assisted cough, chest vibration, deep breathing and cough, huff cough, CPT etc.).
• Provide direct invasive and non-invasive respiratory care to adolescent, adult and geriatric patients with SCI and TBI.
• Administer medical gases by prescription to patients with abnormalities of the cardiopulmonary system.
• Monitor oxygen use, performs routine pulse oximetry checks.
• Completely and accurately assesses patients on admission, per protocol, or on the order of a physician.
• Perform EKG testing.
• Respond to CODE Blue and all emergency calls and administer CPR. Intubates if a physician is not available. Maintains active ACLS credential.
• Transport patients to and from diagnostic testing procedures at Swedish Medical Center and other testing centers as required.
• Assist with patient outings as assigned.
• Assist physicians with bronchoscopy procedures.
• Perform bedside spirometry testing.
• Work in collaboration with the RN and other team members to collect elements of the patient care plan and aid in the gathering and distribution of information.
• Actively educates patients and family members about the disease process, treatment modalities, medications, etc. on an ongoing basis and as assigned.
• Provide respiratory education / precepts, new staff hires, new respiratory care staff, nursing staff and respiratory / nursing students.

** This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties. Employee may perform other related duties as assigned.

Craig Hospital Benefits:

Per-Diem Positions:

Employees who are not benefit eligible due to working less than 24 hours/ week or being Per-Diem are able to participate in Craig Hospital’s 403B Retirement plan through Empower Retirement. Additionally, you would be able to take advantage of the programs offered through the Employee Assistance Programs.

RRT Salary Range: $30.38/Hour - $43.75/ Hour + 18% Per-Diem Differential and Shift Differentials

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