Respiratory Care Practitioner - North Country Hospital
Newport, VT 05855
About the Job
$10,000 Sign On Bonus Available
Statement of purpose
Under the supervision of the Respiratory Care Medical Director and the Director of RespiratoryCare, the RRT-I is responsible for providing Respiratory Care in accordance with specificphysician’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. Identifiespatient.
- Explains goals and procedure of treatments, tests, and equipment to the patient.
- Conducts physician ordered treatments/procedures such as: oxygen therapy, small volumenebulizer, 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 managementand tobacco cessation.
- Performs arterial punctures or draws from arterial line to obtain arterial blood samples for blood gasanalysis, and understands the possible complications and contraindications associated with theprocedure.
- Sets up, and manages mechanical ventilators. Performs the associated critical care duties requiredfor mechanical ventilation and documents activities such as airway management, endotrachealsuctioning, 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 othermedical facilities.
- RRT-I’s are eligible to cross train in outpatient services which include: Complete pulmonaryfunction studies, cardiac and cardiopulmonary stress testing, metabolic studies, and pulmonaryclinic 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 workingwith 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’sand 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 medicalrecord. 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 theinfant. Attempts to integrate treatment/therapy into infant’s normal routine, responds to the sourceof the infant’s crying, decreases stress in the environment by minimizing noise and light, using softvoices and gentle touch. Provides comfort for the infant ( infant is fed, pacifier, holding infantclose). Provides security for infant (bed rolls, side rails up, ensures bed is free of hazardoussupplies). Minimizes touching infant during sleep.
- Age Appropriate Competency: toddler (1 < 3 yrs): Minimizes separation anxiety (allowsparent/caregiver to stay with child). Allows patient to “help” with procedures (control his/herenvironment). Utilizes creative/imaginative play to alleviate toddler’s stress, allows mobility oftoddler when possible. Speaks to patient in soft, reassuring tone of voice, ensures patient ‘ssecurity by removing sharp objects or small objects from reach. Attempts to integrate therapy intodaily 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 fearsof separation, abandonment, pain, darkness. Encourages the use of comforting objects (i.e. afavorite toy, blanket). Allows patient to “help” in the delivery of therapy. Sets short-term limits totherapy 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/protectmodesty. Encourages interaction and involvement of patient in care delivery. Explains purpose,pain, and basic outcome of procedure. Candidly addresses patient’s fears, separation fromparent/caregiver. Allows patient to ambulate freely when possible, allows patient to controlimmediate environment (TV control. lights. table, etc.), self-esteem through positive reinforcementof outcomes.
- Age Appropriate Competency: Adolescent/Youth (13-25 yrs): Communicates in lay-terms withouttalking down to the patient. Teaches/instructs patient away from peers, roommates, and parentswhen possible. Uses proper medical terms, encourages visiting from family. Respects modestyand privacy of patient. Caregiver portrays understanding and compassion to fears/concerns ofpatient. 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 inunderstandable terms, reviews safety procedures (if applicable). Suggests and reinforcespreventative 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 incare 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 principalfunctions of the job as identified, and shall not be considered as a detailed description of all thework 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
Source : North Country Hospital