Respiratory Therapist - RRT at SSM Health

It's more than a career, it's a calling

MO-SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital

Regular

Job Highlights:

Job Summary:

The respiratory therapist is a healthcare professional employed to perform all respiratory care diagnostic and therapeutic procedures provided by the Department of Respiratory Care. They should be energetic and motivated to support the success of a growing service. The respiratory therapist should refer to supervisory personnel in any doubtful situation.

Job Responsibilities and Requirements:

POSITION ACCOUNTABILITIES AND PERFORMANCE CRITERIA (% of time)

The following are essential job accountabilities:

1. Demonstrate ability to relate to coworkers in a professional and respectful manner, in order to assure and promote a culture of safety.

2. Performs all respiratory related therapeutic and diagnostic maneuvers are carried out in accordance with established policies and procedures of the department. This shall

include:  (50%)

Criteria:

A. Implements and assess the function of oxygen and therapeutic gas.

B. Ensure proper set-up and implementation of therapeutic and diagnostic procedure.

C. Provide aerosolized medication.

D. Provide CPT and IPV.

E. Setup and monitor ventilators in accordance with the department and hospital policies.

F. Communicates with peers and staff to develop and improve inter- and intradepartmental services. Meet with appropriate personnel to address and resolve problem issues.

G. Performs CPR

H. Perform diagnostic procedures including but not limited to:

1. ABG analysis

2. Pulse Oximetry

3. Nitric Oxide pulmonary hypertension studies

3. The licensed respiratory therapist will ensure that each patient’s status is assessed to determine the patient’s care needs and to ensure patient’s needs are reassessed in response to treatment and care provided.

Criteria:

Assess and reassess patients for therapy which includes but is not limited to:

A. Vital signs before and after therapy.

B. Breath sounds before and after therapy.

C. Checking for physician orders for therapy.

D. Pre and post assessment for therapy tolerance and response.

E. Oxygen requirements.

F. Sputum color, viscosity and quantity.

G. Other patient specific observations as needed.                               

4. Special duties: Ability to interact with physicians and nurses. May work in an intensive care unit area. This may include:  (25%)

Criteria:                                                                                                         

A. Responsible to respond to critical areas (e.g. ER, OR, Code).

B. Perform routine checks on Life Support Unit.

C. Assist with bronchoscopy procedure.

D. Assist with minor cardiopulmonary invasive or surgical procedures.

E. Perform tracheotomy care.

F. Perform bedside studies including: f/vt, shunt studies, ventilator mechanics dead space, compliance, O2 content, and metabolic cart studies.

G. Perform bedside pulmonary function procedures.

H. Interpretation of complex lab data.

I. Provide input in decisions involving patient care on and off life support systems.

J. Provide input on patient care via physician consultations.

K. Display qualities of an independent thinker through the performance of everyday job

duties.

L. Assist with the prevention of ventilator associated pneumonia as indicated by the latest evidence based literature.

5. Perform all other aspects of Respiratory Care in accordance with hospital policies and procedures.  (5%)

Criteria:

A. Attends monthly department meetings, specialty meetings, in-services, and any other meetings as required.

B. Assure all time and attendance exceptions are properly recorded in the exceptions book.

C. Communicates with physicians in regard to therapies ordered and therapeutic goals.

The following job accountabilities may be reassigned:

6. Performs other duties as required.  (5%)

Criteria:

A. Cleaning, disinfecting and/or sterilization of all reusable of respiratory and bronchoscopy equipment.

B. Routine mechanical maintenance of respiratory equipment.

C. Maintain neat and clean work and storage areas.

D. Maintain neat and accurate records.

E. Answer phone in a professional and timely manner.

7. Safety/Infection Control: Practices according to safety and infection control policies. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) 5%

Criteria

A. Practices universal precautions and disposes of hazardous wastes per established guidelines.

B. Maintains a safe, clean, comfortable and therapeutic environment for patients/families/employees in accordance with hospital standards.

1. Maintains clutter free environment.

2. Keeps conversations and background noise to a minimum.

3. Adheres to dress code.

C. Reports risk management concerns.

D. Assumes responsibility for completing all annual mandatory requirements:

1. Safety/Fire

2. Blood Borne Pathogen

3. Hazardous Communication

4. TB

5. Department Specific

6. Age Appropriate Care (for clinical staff only)

7. BLS/ALS per recertification guidelines of AHA

E. Work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner.

8. Service: Provides service excellence to the customers of Saint Louis University Hospital by delivering timely, high quality care in a courteous, and respectful manner.

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5)  10%

Criteria:         

A. Explain therapy to the patient prior to initiation.

B. Being courteous to the patient, their family, visitors and co-workers.

C. Respects patients’ rights.

D. Practice commitment of patient confidentiality.

8. Quality Improvement (QI):  Incorporates Quality Assessment into one’s daily work. 5%

Criteria:         

A. Assisting with collection of data for reporting.

B. Completes paperwork in a timely fashion.

1. Complete charting/charging by the end of the assigned shift.

2. Review charting for errors before electronically signing.

3. Report any unresolved charting/charging discrepancies to the immediate supervisor for resolution.

C. Follow policies and procedures when administering care.

D. Report quality issues to management for review.

9. Age Appropriate Care:  Provides age-appropriate care to:

____Infant ___ Child __X__ Adolescent            ___X__ Adult            ___X__ Geriatric

Criteria:         

A. Demonstrates knowledge and skills of normal growth & development necessary to provide services to the age of the patient served by the department.

B. Demonstrates ability to assess and interpret age specific data to identify patient needs.

C. Utilizes communication skills necessary to interpret age specific responses to service and interaction.

D. Involves family or significant other in decision making related to services provided.

E. Demonstrates ability to provide service needed for the age groups routinely served by the department assigned.

F. Position specific: Able to titrate dosages and applications to fit the needs of the various growth and development stages. Recognizing that each stage requires different considerations and methods.

10. Specialized Care: Provides specialized care to patients at high risk for injury. (1, 2, 4, 5, 8)  (include if appropriate) <1%

Criteria

A. Restraint Care

1. Initiates/evaluates alternatives to restraint prior to application.

2. Applies restraints consistent with the approved procedure.

3. Monitors and assesses patient’s response throughout the restraint period at the appropriate intervals.

B. Pain Management (licensed personnel)

1. Assess patient for presence of pain on admission and during assessments/reassessments.

2. Incorporates patient’s cultural/spiritual beliefs regarding pain into pain management plan.

3.Implement pain management techniques. Focus on prevention rather than treatment.

4. Include patient and/or family members in developing a pain management plans.

5. Consider other methods of pain control when developing plan of care: massage, repositioning, immobilization, and music therapy.

C. Abuse Assessment

1. Is aware of abuse recognition criteria and incorporates it into assessments.

2. Reports signs of possible abuse/neglect to the physician & Risk Management, and recommends appropriate consultations (psychiatric, Social Work) for evaluation.

DISCLAIMER:  Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.

Rationale for Essential Functions

1. The performance of this function is the reason the job exists.

2. There are limited employees among whom the performance of this function can be distributed.

3. This function occupies a great deal of the employee’s time.

4. This function is highly specialized. Employees are hired for the skill/ability to perform this function.

5. Failure to perform this function may have serious consequences.

6. The function was performed by past employees, and is performed by current employees.

7. Exposure to blood borne pathogens that require the use of protective equipment.

8. Exposure to tuberculosis that requires the use of protective equipment.

Work requires the knowledge and skills necessary to provide direct patient care appropriate to patient population of specialty:

Job Specifications

MINIMUM EDUCATION: Graduate of an AMA approved school Respiratory Therapy preferred.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE: Leadership skills are desirable and should be demonstrated.

REQUIRED REGISTRY OR LICENSE: Registered with the N.B.R.C Licensed in the state of Missouri within 6 months of hire required.

INDEPENDENT ACTION: Must demonstrate the ability to provide high quality therapy skills with moderate supervision and to make independent decisions in critical and non-critical care areas. Individuals must be energetic and motivated to support the success of a growing service.

PRESSURE OF WORK: Capable of withstanding long hours of walking and standing. Capable of tolerating the sights and sounds and odors associated with the care of the sick and dying patients. Capable of responding quickly in emergencies. Capable of lifting moderate weights. Capable of handling hazards due to exposure to inflammable and explosive gases.

WORKING CONDITIONS: May be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases. Regularly exposed to the risk of blood borne diseases. Exposed to hazardous anesthetic agents, body fluids, and wastes. Subjected to electrical and radiant energy hazards. Exposure to unpleasant patient or unit elements. Contact with patients under a wide variety of circumstances. May be exposed to unpleasant elements (accidents, injuries and illness). Subject to varying and unpredictable situations. May be required to handle emergency or crisis situations. Subjected to irregular hours.

Exposed to chemicals such as isopropyl alcohol, Aerosol and cleaning solutions which are used in decontaminating equipment.

PROTECTIVE REQUIREMENTS:

• Eye protection
• Gowns
• Lab coat
• Mask
• Sterile and non-sterile gloves
• Lead aprons

CONTACT WITH OTHERS:

• Demonstrate a desire and willingness to provide comfort and aid to patients.
• Cooperative and friendly to all personnel.
• Present a professional demeanor at all times.
• Always consult supervisor/senior tech when confronted with unusual situations.
• Period of Adjustment
• As per hospital probationary period.

EQUIPMENT KNOWLEDGE: Must be familiar with equipment used for therapy and diagnostic procedures.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Heavy Physical effort (lift, carry up to 50 lbs.)
• Prolonged, extensive, or considerable standing/walking.
• Lifts, positions, pushes, and/or transfers patients.
• Pushes/pulls or moves/lifts heavy equipment/supplies.
• Manual dexterity, mobility, and fine motor skills.
• Intermittent exertion when performing therapies.
• Considerable reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, and crouching

VISION REQUIREMENTS: Ability to adjust vision for varying degrees of room light.

REQUIRED PROFESSIONAL LICENSE AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS 
 
State of Work Location: Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, Wisconsin

•     Basic Life Support HealthCare Provider (BLS HCP) - American Heart Association (AHA)
•     And
•     Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) - National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC)
•     And
•     Respiratory Care Practitioner - Missouri Division of Professional Registration
   

Employee___________________________________________Date____________

Supervisor__________________________________________Date_____________

Department Director __________________________________Date _____________

Administration________________________________________Date_____________

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not to be construed, as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required of personnel so classified. An individual working in their job classification must also perform specific tasks upon request by supervisor personnel. Furthermore, the duties and responsibilities for this job classification are subject to change at the discretion of the medical center.

Work Shift:

Night Shift (United States of America)

Employee

4302000037 Respiratory Therapy

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