Respiratory Therapist-Registered or Certified - UnityPoint Health

Sign-On Bonus: $10,000 for qualifying applicants!

Under the supervision of the medical director, the Respiratory Therapist-Registered is responsible to provide respiratory care services in accordance with physicians’ orders, department policies and procedures, as well as respiratory therapy-driven protocols. The Respiratory Therapist is responsible for providing basic and advanced care services to neonatal, pediatric, and adult patients.

Why UnityPoint Health?  

• Commitment to our Team – We’ve been named a Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare 2022 by Becker’s Healthcare for our commitment to our team members. 
• Culture – At UnityPoint Health, you Come for a fulfilling career and experience a culture guided by uncompromising values and unwavering belief in doing what's right for the people we serve. 
• Benefits – Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in. 
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commitment – We’re committed to ensuring you have a voice that is heard regardless of role, race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation. 
• Development – We believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is an essential part of delivering a remarkable employment experience. 
• Community Involvement – Be an essential part of our core purpose—to improve the health of the people and communities we serve. 

Visit us at UnityPoint.org/careers to hear more from our team members about why UnityPoint Health is a great place to work. https://dayinthelife.unitypoint.org/  

Clinical Excellence/Patient Care

• Assesses and evaluates the respiratory status of neonatal, pediatric, and adult patients.
• Determines requirements for treatment, such as type, method, and duration of therapy, precautions to be taken, and medication and dosages, compatible with physicians’ orders.
• Initiates, conducts, and modifies prescribed therapeutic and diagnostic procedures per established protocols.
• Monitors patient’s physiological responses to therapy, such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, and blood chemistry changes, and consults with physician if adverse reaction occurs.
• Applies and monitors medical gases and related respiratory therapy modalities.
• Develops the respiratory care plan based on the assessment of the patient.
• Responds to Code Blue/Pink, Trauma, Rapid Response Team or other urgent calls for patient care.
• Provides emergency care, including artificial respiration, external cardiac massage and assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
• Sets up and operates devices such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, and aerosol generators, following specified parameters of treatment. Manages ventilators and artificial airway devices.
• Reviews patient information to assess patient condition.

Leadership/Collaboration

• Works collaboratively with the team of physicians, nurses and other health care professionals to manage patient care.
• Enforces safety rules and ensures careful adherence to physicians’ orders.
• Deploys clinical quality initiatives in the respiratory therapy service line.
• Uses a variety of research techniques to assist the physician in cardiac and pulmonary best practices.
• Demonstrates respiratory care procedures to trainees and other health care personnel.
• Collaborates with community partners for the development and maintenance of community outreach programs.

Development/Education

• Performs pulmonary function testing and adjusts equipment to obtain optimum results in therapy.
• Educates patients and their families about their conditions and teaches appropriate disease management techniques, such as breathing exercises and the use of medications and respiratory equipment.
• Explains treatment procedures to patients to gain cooperation and allay fears.
• Maintains and updates department policies and procedures per evidence-based practice standards.
• Uses problem solving to identify and correct malfunctions of respiratory care equipment.

Basic UPH Performance Criteria         

• Demonstrates the UnityPoint Health Values and Standards of Behaviors as well as adheres to policies, procedure, and safety guidelines.
• Demonstrates ability to meet business needs of department with regular, reliable attendance.
• Employee maintains current licenses and/or certifications required for the position.
• Practices and reflects knowledge of HIPAA, TJC, DNV, OSHA and other federal/state regulatory agencies guiding healthcare.
• Completes all annual education and competency requirements within the calendar year.
• Is knowledgeable of hospital and department compliance requirements for federally funded healthcare programs (e.g. Medicare and Medicaid) regarding fraud, waste and abuse.  Brings any questions or concerns regarding compliance to the immediate attention of hospital administrative staff.  Takes appropriate action on concerns reported by department staff related to compliance.