Respiratory Care Practitioner - North Country Hospital

$10,000 Sign On Bonus Available

Statement of purpose

Under the supervision of the Respiratory Care Medical Director and the Director of Respiratory Care, the RRT-I is responsible for providing Respiratory Care in accordance with specific physician’s orders, department policies and procedures and the Vermont State Licensure Act.

Essential Functions, Duties and Responsibilities

• Reviews chart and verifies physician orders. Writes physician orders as appropriate. Identifies patient.
• Explains goals and procedure of treatments, tests, and equipment to the patient.
• Conducts physician ordered treatments/procedures such as: oxygen therapy, small volume nebulizer, metered dose inhalers, hyperinflation therapy (IS/PEP/IPPB), bronchial hygiene therapy (CPPD, IPV, Flutter valve, Acapella, etc.), Peak flow measurements and simple spirometry.
• Participates in discharge planning meetings and patient education related to disease management and tobacco cessation.
• Performs arterial punctures or draws from arterial line to obtain arterial blood samples for blood gas analysis, and understands the possible complications and contraindications associated with the procedure.
• Sets up, and manages mechanical ventilators. Performs the associated critical care duties required for mechanical ventilation and documents activities such as airway management, endotracheal suctioning, abg’s, and weaning parameters.
• Responsible for airway management during cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
• Participates on Rapid Response Team.
• Provides airway management and mechanical ventilation during ambulance transports to other medical facilities.
• RRT-I’s are eligible to cross train in outpatient services which include: Complete pulmonary function studies, cardiac and cardiopulmonary stress testing, metabolic studies, and pulmonary clinic activities.
• RRT-I’s are responsible for supervision of respiratory care students. RRT-I’s assume charge and supervisory responsibilities for respiratory care activities when working with CRT’s and respiratory care assistants and in the absence of the Director of Respiratory Care. RRT-I’s oversee the quality of all respiratory care procedures performed on his/her shift by CRT’s and respiratory care assistants.
• Attends staff meetings and participates in quality assurance review and documentation.
• Takes call on a rotating basis.
• Charts all pertinent patient information related to treatments and procedures in patients medical record. Such as: Heart Rates, Respiratory Rates, Breath Sounds, Sp02’s, oxygen delivery devices, consultations with physicians and adverse reactions.
• Age Appropriate Competency: Infant (Birth-1 yr): Allows caregiver/parent to remain with the infant. Attempts to integrate treatment/therapy into infant’s normal routine, responds to the source of the infant’s crying, decreases stress in the environment by minimizing noise and light, using soft voices and gentle touch. Provides comfort for the infant ( infant is fed, pacifier, holding infant close). Provides security for infant (bed rolls, side rails up, ensures bed is free of hazardous supplies). Minimizes touching infant during sleep.
• Age Appropriate Competency: toddler (1 < 3 yrs): Minimizes separation anxiety (allows parent/caregiver to stay with child). Allows patient to “help” with procedures (control his/her environment). Utilizes creative/imaginative play to alleviate toddler’s stress, allows mobility of toddler when possible. Speaks to patient in soft, reassuring tone of voice, ensures patient ‘s security by removing sharp objects or small objects from reach. Attempts to integrate therapy into daily activities routine.
• Age Appropriate Competency: Preschooler (3-5 yrs): Minimizes separation from parent/caregiver.
• Gives short simple explanations of procedures. Alleviates patient’s fears. Addresses patient’s fears of separation, abandonment, pain, darkness. Encourages the use of comforting objects (i.e. a favorite toy, blanket). Allows patient to “help” in the delivery of therapy. Sets short-term limits to therapy in a child’s term of understanding; (i.e. this will be over by the time you say your ABC’s)
• Age Appropriate Competency: School-age (6-12 yrs): Allows as much privacy as possible/protect modesty. Encourages interaction and involvement of patient in care delivery. Explains purpose, pain, and basic outcome of procedure. Candidly addresses patient’s fears, separation from parent/caregiver. Allows patient to ambulate freely when possible, allows patient to control immediate environment (TV control. lights. table, etc.), self-esteem through positive reinforcement of outcomes.
• Age Appropriate Competency: Adolescent/Youth (13-25 yrs): Communicates in lay-terms without talking down to the patient. Teaches/instructs patient away from peers, roommates, and parents when possible. Uses proper medical terms, encourages visiting from family. Respects modesty and privacy of patient. Caregiver portrays understanding and compassion to fears/concerns of patient. Explains care goals and allows patient input. Addresses candidly any of patient’s fears.
• Age Appropriate Competency: Mature Adult (26-65): Explains care plan completely in understandable terms, reviews safety procedures (if applicable). Suggests and reinforces preventative education for various disease processes. For the psychologically dependent adult, gives accepting and matter-of –fact care. Supports family members who are supporting the patient, respects the patient’s need for privacy. Ensures any prosthetics are available (i.e. glasses, dentures, hearing aids, etc. if applicable).
• Age Appropriate Competency: Geriatrics (66yrs and older): Maintains sensitivity to age-related problems such as: memory loss/confusion/disorientation, decrease in balance and use of fine motor skills, decrease in visual acuity and hearing loss, loss of perception to and response to pain.
• Remains willing to listen, explain, orient, reassure, and comfort patient, involves patient’s family in care plan, ensures safety mechanisms are in place to prevent falls (side rails, etc.). Assesses patient frequently for change in status. Assures the patient is in a comfortable breathing position. Allows slower pace of treatment or rest periods for the patient. Closely monitors patient for adverse drug reactions.
• Reports to relief personnel: Patient assessments (cough, sputum production, Breath Sounds, oxygen devices in use, comprehension in use of MDI and SVN) times of most recent treatments,
• Lab/ABG/oximetry, Peak flow/Spirometry results, CXR reports, ventilator settings, ETT placement (depth and location), location of NIV and invasive mechanical ventilators, processing of used equipment.
• Cleans respiratory therapy equipment and transports to central supply for processing.
• Performs preventative maintenance and repair of equipment as needed, or refers equipment for service. Re-supplies and calibrates mechanical ventilators and ensures readiness state by signing ventilator checklist.
• Makes in-house rounds, checking patients oxygen equipment, critical care equipment (ventilators/Bipap), end-tidal C02 monitors on crash carts and supply areas (restock as necessary) on a timely basis.
• Applies holter equipment, event monitoring equipment and ambulatory BP monitors, if applicable.
• Edits holter monitor reports if applicable (ex: trained in holter editing) and downloads patients cardiac event monitors via telephone.
• Maintains department in a clean, neat, and orderly condition.
• The above statements reflect the general duties considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job as identified, and shall not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the job.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Must be registered by the National Board for Respiratory Care as a RRT.
• Must hold and maintain a Vermont State License to practice respiratory care.
• BCLS certification
• ACLS certification or acquired within 18 months of employment.
• PALS certification or acquired within 18 months of employment
• NRP certification or acquired within 18 months of employment
• Prior experience a plus

PI239679240