Job Summary

Certified Respiratory Therapists (CRT) are skilled professionals who provide therapeutic and diagnostic procedures to patients on physician order. The incumbent must be academically prepared and skill level competent to assess patient respiratory status, recommend appropriate therapy and communicate effectively with nurses, and physicians independently throughout the scheduled shift.

Essential Job Functions

• Performance of Technical Practice
  • Provides highly technical Respiratory Care procedures in any environment following unit specific orientation
  • Initiates and maintains ventilator management for patient on life support except at Westmoreland Manor.
  • Performs arterial puncture and blood gas analysis.
  • Provides cardiopulmonary resuscitation for all age groups served.
  • Maintains and monitors the function of all Respiratory Care equipment in use.
  • Acts as a resource to other health care providers, regarding clinical issues.
• Patient Care
  • Assesses patients for require respiratory care services. Reassesses daily or as often as necessary.
  • Administers inhaled medications, monitors patient reaction to medication, reports response and/or adverse reaction to nurse and physician.
  • Provides patient and family or care giver with education related to disease process or dysfunction, therapy ordered, medication, dosage, methods and equipment use and functions.
  • Participates in interdisciplinary care-planning process as required by various nursing or patient care units, and in discharge planning process as needed.
• Clinical decision-Making:
  • Assimilates large quantities of data while caring for critically ill patients.
  • Modifies and directs respiratory care procedures and diagnostics, based on acquired data and patient clinical findings.
  • Assists with the coordination of patient care relating to cardiopulmonary dysfunction, in co-operation with the physician, nurse, and other health care providers.
• Policy and Procedure
  • Understands department policy and procedure to assure compliance with same.
  • Avoids deviation from policy and/or procedure preventing the potential for adverse effect either on an employee, patient or visitor.
  • Reviews departmental policy and procedure on an annual basis and make recommendations for appropriate changes.
• Communication
  • Provides clear, concise, organized written and oral communication to management and staff.
  • Interacts effectively with physicians, patients, management and co-workers.
  • Documents in a neat, timely and legible fashion as appropriate
  • Documents in EMR per department guidelines.
  • Serves as a liaison and positive role model to other departments.
  • Communicates directly with physician regarding patient respiratory status, recommendations for therapy, and diagnostic testing.
  • Takes and transcribes verbal and telephone orders from physicians.
• Maintain supply and inventory in assigned areas.
• Notifies appropriate personnel of stock depletion as it occurs.
• Keeps department and other areas of responsibility clean and orderly.
• Other duties as assigned.

Specialty Functions

• Information Processing
  • Transcribes and carries out orders correctly.
  • Utilizes all applicable information systems appropriately.
  • Charges equipment, supplies and services accurately.
• Quality Assessment and Improvement
  • Demonstrates ongoing awareness and participation in quality improvement program.
  • Responds with improved performance to results obtained from QA monitors.
  • Identifies problems and reports to manager when appropriate.
• Locates and uses reference manuals
  • Maintains a working knowledge of department and system policy and procedure.
  • Locates and uses department and system protocols, procedures, and policy manuals such as infection control, MSDS, OSHA, and on line policy manuals.
• Performs specialized procedures, tasks, and functions. These may vary between entities and not all RCPs will perform these functions. Specialized orientation/training will be provided to RCPs performing the following tasks.
  • Performs therapeutic and diagnostic bronchoscopy procedures.
  • Completes blood gas and electrolyte analysis.
  • Performs all required diagnostic pulmonary function testing.
  • Completes pulmonary stress and metabolic testing.
  • Functions as a member of the Rapid Response team.
  • Participates as an integral member of emergency resuscitation teams serving all age groups.
  • Performs EKG's
  • Performs Intravenous Catheter Insertion and Phlebotomy on Patients.

Required Qualifications

• Completion of an accredited respiratory care program.
• Graduate of JRCRTE approved respiratory care program with minimum of three (3) to six (6) months of clinical rotations.
• Strong leadership ability, good organizational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, sound judgment, and knowledge of legal aspects and liability of respiratory practice.
• Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.

• Medical Terminology.
• Basic Math and Keyboard Proficiency.
• Functional Skills on PC and Related Software (Microsoft Office).
• Knowledge of basic Office Equipment such as copier, fax machine, etc.
• Strong time management and organizational skills; ability to work independently and in a team setting; creativity in treatment in various settings including inpatient, skilled nursing and outpatient clinics; ability to transition smoothly between various treatment settings; flexibility in scheduling.
• Ability to communicate with all members of the health care team.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize assignments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Critical Care Experience
• ACLS
• Experience in Pulmonary Function testing, bronchoscopies, blood gas analysis, and neonatal mechanical ventilation. Also prefer Neonatal resuscitation course and PALS.

License, Certification & Clearances

• Current licensure to practice in the State of Pennsylvania

• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) approved curriculum of the American Heart Association (CPR and AED) program.

• Act 33 with renewal
• Act 34 with renewal
• Act 73 FBI Clearance

Supervisory Responsibilities

• This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities, but does serve as a coach and mentor for other positions in the department.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• Incumbent will be scheduled based on operational need (rotate shifts, standby, on-call, etc.).
• Travel may be expected locally between Independence Health System locations.

AAP/EEO

• Independence Health System is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of Independence Health System to prohibit discrimination of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, non-job related disability, veteran status, or genetic information, or any other protected class. Independence Health System will conform to the spirit as well as the letter of all applicable laws and regulations.
• Ability to perform the Essential Functions listed on the Physical Conditions and ability to perform the Essential Functions on the Working Condition chart below.

Work Environment

Effective March 2020 or during pandemic: goggles, face shield and mask are required according to CDC guidelines

Physical Demands

When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.