ECU Health

About ECU Health Medical Center

ECU Health Medical Center, one of four academic medical centers in North Carolina, is the 974-bed flagship hospital for ECU Health and serves as the primary teaching hospital for The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. ECU Health Medical Center has achieved Magnet® designation twice and provides acute and intermediate care, rehabilitation and outpatient health services to a 29-county region that is home to more than 1.4 million people.

Position Summary

Under the Clinical Supervision of the Medical Director of Respiratory Care and the overall supervision of the Manager, Assistant Manager and Respiratory Care Supervisor the Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP), II functions in a safe, expedient, and cost-effective manner in providing, responding to patient needs and documenting respiratory care and services provided. The Respiratory Care Practitioner II is involved in the Clinical Ladder program which is a voluntary promotion system that recognizes health care professionals who demonstrate advanced knowledge, critical thinking skills, and professional development.

Responsibilities

1. Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide service appropriate to the age of the patient. Assess the appropriateness of prescribed respiratory care by acquiring and evaluating clinical data and assessing the cardiopulmonary/overall status of the patient based on the age of the patient. Initiates a respiratory care plan upon admission to Respiratory Services identifying primary respiratory problem, goals and interventions. Updates care plan at least once per shift relative to the progress toward the goal. Initiates respiratory care, evaluating and monitoring patients' responses to such care, modifying the prescribed respiratory therapy and cardiopulmonary procedures and life support endeavors to achieve desired therapeutic objectives. Participates in life-support activities as required, responds to Trauma, High Risk Deliveries, ERT and Code Blue emergencies throughout the hospital. Provides therapeutic interventions with oxygen therapy, aerosol therapy, airway care, lung expansion, bronchial hygiene, invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation. Uses "Red Rules" and Patient Safety Behaviors to provide safe patient care.
2. Provides/records all patient and family education in patient medical record. Provides/assesses information from respiratory parameter studies, peak flow measurements, pulse oximetry monitoring, ABG/VBG/CBG results, capnography, pulmonary mechanics/graphics monitors, hemodynamic monitoring, cardiac output monitoring.
3. Incorporates department protocol driven care appropriately to direct clinical practice. Uses universal precautions appropriately and performs proper hand washing between each patient. Maintains confidentiality of patient information. Uses department "scripts" to effectively communicate with other departments, patients, families, coworkers and students in person or over the phone. Demonstrates safe operation of all equipment in compliance with department policy, safety, disinfection, infection control and quality control standards. Demonstrates effective computer skills for electronic charting, billing and respiratory order processing.
4. As directed by the supervisor may have additional responsibility as charge therapist and/or preceptor for students and/or new employees.
5. Participates in Inservice Education, Patient Rounds/Conferences and obtains 24 education contact hours/year. Actively participates on Respiratory Action Team of own choosing. Active Membership with NBRC and AARC/NCSRC recommended. Completion and maintenance of all Clinical ladder requirements-with participation in CQI activities.

Minimum Requirements

American Heart Association BLS Certification
Associate Degree or higher in an approved CoARC program for Respiratory Care.
Active licensure with the North Carolina Respiratory Care Board upon hire and is maintained yearly.
Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) is required.
American Heart Association ACLS is required.
If working in the Children's hospital you are required to have AHA PALS and NRP in place of the AHA ACLS and you must have completed the NBRC NPS exam by 12 months from your orientation end date.
For non-medical center Respiratory care departments AHA BLS and ACLS are required. AHA PALS and NRP are required at 6 months from hire date.
3 to 9 years of experience is required.

General Statement

It is the goal of ECU Health and its entities to employ the most qualified individual who best matches the requirements for the vacant position.

Offers of employment are subject to successful completion of all pre-employment screenings, which may include an occupational health screening, criminal record check, education, reference, and licensure verification.

We value diversity and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Decisions of employment are made based on business needs, job requirements and applicant's qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, genetic information and testing, family and medical leave, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other status protected by law. We prohibit retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint.

Contact Information

For additional information, please contact:

Tavis Richardson, Talent Acquisition Consultant

ECU Health Talent Acquisition

Email: Tavis.Richardson2@ecuhealth.org