Respiratory Therapist - Steward Health Care

About Steward Health Care
Over a decade ago, Steward Health Care System emerged as a different kind of health care company designed to usher in a new era of wellness. One that provides our patients better, more proactive care at a sustainable cost, our providers unrivaled coordination of care, and our communities greater prosperity and stability.
As the country's largest physician-led, minority-owned, integrated health care system, our doctors can be certain that we share their interests and those of their patients. Together we are on a mission to revolutionize the way health care is delivered - creating healthier lives, thriving communities and a better world.

Based in Dallas, Steward currently operates more than 30 hospitals across Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas.

For more information, visit steward.org

The Respiratory Therapist must be able to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and equipment selection to provide care appropriate to patients ranging in age from infancy, throughout adolescence, adulthood and geriatrics. The Respiratory Therapist must possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's age, and interpret the appropriate information required to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs.

Graduate of approved program in respiratory therapy with Associates degree, licensed in MA and BLS certified.

Responsibilities & Standards

1. Documentation - provides thorough documentation in accordance with established policy and standard operating procedures with no more than (2) reminders per year.

Provides thorough medical record documentation (eg. Patient Assessment, Care Plan, therapeutic note, pertinent laboratory data, physical findings and ventilator flow charts etc.).

Provides complete and thorough departmental documentation (eg. Treatment Card, Kardex card, Quality Assessment, order entry, results reporting, Incident and industrial accident forms etc.).

1. Therapeutic Modalities - Performs therapeutic modalities commensurate with ones training and the patients age accordance with established protocols, procedures and safety practices with no more than one reminder per year.

Performs all therapeutic modalities in accordance with established protocols, procedures and safety practices.

Performs ventilatory care and weaning in accordance with established policies, procedures and safety guidelines.

Demonstrates competency in the assembly, disassembly and safety checking as per manufacturer guidelines and participates in scheduled equipment changes.

1. Other Responsibilities.

Responds to Code 7's, stat pages and other medical or administrative emergencies in an immediate and timely manner with no more than one reminder per year.

Administers to patients needs within professional and ethical boundaries at all times.

Participates in employee orientation, cross training, Quality Assurance and educational endeavors as requested.

Attends all mandatory classes and strictly adheres to guidelines on a daily basis. (eg. Universal Precautions, MSDS, Fire and Safety, TD and CEU's).

1. Organizational/Interpersonal Standards.

Demonstrates organizational skills and establishes priorities in a manner to maintain maximum productivity and the completion of assigned tasks.

Exhibits self directed behavior and independent problem resolution for non-complex issues.

Does not exhibit rudeness, abruptness, domineerance, abrasiveness or condescending behavior.

Presents a professional appearance and is attentive to patients rights, needs and comforts and is respectful and courteous to patients and staff at all times.

1. Charge Responsibilities - Performs charge responsibilities with no more than one reminder per year.

Consults with manager regarding complex issues and assists staff with non-complex problem resolution.

Distributes work assignments in a fair and equitable manner so as to maximize productivity and completion of assignments.

Arranges for shift coverage in times of illness and inclement weather, minimizing overtime usage whenever possible.

Completes Charge Reports in an accurate and timely manner.

Monitors all staff activity to include compliance with departmental and administrative policy and interprets policy as necessary or when requested.

1. Calibrate, perform preventative maintenance and quality control on Ph/blood gas analyzers and co-oximeter as per department policy on a shift basis and more frequently if necessary.

Performs preventative maintenance and run calibration buffers and gases following departmental procedures (checklist) once per shift with no more than (2) reminders per year.

Run tri-level quality controls, evaluate accuracy of results and determine acceptability of the data once per shift with no more than two reminders per year.

Enter result into IBM computer and comments into action log that show appropriate action taken or understanding of statistical variations once per shift with no more than (2) reminders per year.

Notify section head directly or via the Problem Assessment Communication Form when specifications are not achievable with no more than (1) reminder per year.

1. Troubleshoot and repair analyzers in the event of malfunction to conform with established manufacturers guidelines or departmental policy.

Troubleshoot and repair analyzers in the event of malfunction to conform with established manufacturers guidelines or departmental policy.

Performs repairs as necessary and within scope of responsibility prior to the end of shift with fewer than two complaints per year.

1. Analysis of arterial blood, venous ph's and body fluid samples as per policy and according to guidelines for acceptable specimens.

Check sample to ensure proper labeling and note any pre-analytical considerations that may alter test results (eg. micro-sample, air bubble, clot, etc.)

Aspirate sample into analyzer and check position and ascertain if analysis errors exist (eg. drift, no end point, etc.) for each sample.

Enter results in log and computer noting any pre-analytical considerations and actions taken (ie. phoned results) and report results to requesters immediately with no more than (2) complaints per year.

1. Age Requirement.

The Respiratory Therapist must be able to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and equipment selection to provide the appropriate care to infants through geriatrics in age.

The Respiratory Therapist must possess the ability to access data reflective of the patients age and interpret the appropriate information required to identify each patients requirement relative to age.