Respiratory Therapist - Respiratory Therapy

POSITION SUMMARY:

To be fully engaged in providing No Harm / Quality, Customer Experience, and Stewardship by: showing 

clinical proficiency in the adult and/or neonatal critical care areas. He/she should have a thorough 

understanding of all respiratory care modalities and be capable of making judgment decisions and 

recommendations to physicians pertaining to respiratory care modalities. He/she should also be able to 

evaluate these techniques and report their findings to the responsible physician. Display ICARE Values 

in accordance with the Health First Mission and Vision.

PRIMARY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Quality/No Harm: 

• Documents care according to policy by random check.
• Provides correct procedure to correct patient by checking two patient identifiers. 
• Maintains equipment in good working order and troubleshoots when necessary; 
• reports all malfunctioning equipment to appropriate area/associate with documentation of problem.
• Maintains a clean, neat, safe work environment at all times. 
• Thorough documentation, including patient care, interdisciplinary Plan of Care, patient education, and charges appropriately for care provided.
• Completes shift duties and other assigned tasks in a timely manner.
• Gives report to oncoming shift on all patients and procedures, and assures completion of workload before leaving.
• Medication safety- removes only one patient's medication at a time from Pyxis system.
• Patient identification- Uses Pyxis med slip to appropriately identify two patient identifiers. 
• Hand-off communication - reads back/verifies all verbal and telephone orders, reports patient information to the appropriate associate in a timely manner, follows established approach to reporting including an opportunity to ask and respond to questions.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Educated to report any safety opportunities to the Health First Safety Portal.
• Responds to Stat calls within appropriate time frame with proper equipment.
• Completes shift duties and other assigned tasks on time.
• Follows proper infection control procedures for care provided, and proper hand washing technique. 
• Initiate and manage invasive and non-invasive ventilation per physicians' orders, including
• troubleshooting and discontinuation. This includes BiPAP, CPAP, and all modes of mechanical ventilation.
• Ability to perform acute and intensive care functions for the adult/pediatric patient.
• Demonstrate ability to interpret CXR for ETT, Pulmonary Artery, and IABP catheter placement, as well as the ability to interpret basic cardiac/pulmonary complications.
• Demonstrates ability to initiate Heliox therapy. Understands indications, contraindications, and complications.
• Demonstrate knowledge and ability to perform emergent intubation, elective oral and nasal intubations.
• Demonstrates knowledge and ability to perform arterial line insertions.
• Ability to initiate, troubleshoot, and manage IABP modalities.
• Proficiency in SVO2 monitoring and calibrations.
• Ability to pull IABP catheters according to policy. (if applicable)
• Ability to perform bedside pulmonary function testing.
• Ability to observe and interpret hemodynamic monitoring and cardiac arrhythmias.
• Ability to auscultate and assess breath sounds.
• Additional skill checks and competency may include ECG 
• Participates in department education/committees/skills fairs as needed at managers/directors discretion. 
•  
• Customer Experience:
• Communicates effectively to educate patients, family and staff on Respiratory Care procedures.
• Maintains confidentiality in all dealings with patients and staff.
• Participates in patient experience initiatives.
• Attend staff meetings/in-services as required. Reads and signs off on all staff meeting 
• minutes as required.

Stewardship: 

• Charges appropriately for care provided. 
• Be a good steward of all hospital equipment and supplies

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

• Current license by State of Florida, Department of Health, as a Registered Respiratory Therapist.
• Must hold current AHA BLS Healthcare Provider Completion Card prior to start date and maintain.
• ACLS and PALS are required within 90 days of start date and maintained.
• Certification(s) as required by specific unit. 
• Must have good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Must have good organizational and prioritizing skills.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Must be able to withstand working up to 12 hour shifts consisting mostly of walking and standing.
• Must be able to participate in prolonged CPR procedures.
• Must have visual acuity and hand eye coordination necessary to perform clinical tasks.
• Ability to bend, stoop and assist lifting of patients as care requires.
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds and push/pull 100 pounds.
• Must be able to move quickly in crowded conditions and work with patients with many lines and machines attached.
• May be exposed to bio-hazardous waste, dust, aerosolized medication and unknown or communicable disease.
• Must be able to provide a professional appearance and wear designated uniforms.

MENTAL DEMANDS:

• Must be able to work effectively in stressful environments with patients, family members and colleagues.
• Must have good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Must be able to prioritize and have excellent organizational ability.
• Ability to make decisions concerning appropriate therapy and patient care.
• Ability to rapidly respond to life threatening situations.
• Keeps abreast of issues regarding departmental changes, and new modalities in the field of Respiratory Care.
• Ability to be self-motivated and self-disciplined and able to work independently.

ABOUT HEALTH FIRST

At Health First, diversity and inclusion are essential for our continued growth and evolution. Working together, we strive to build and nurture a culture that recognizes, encourages, and respects the diverse voices of our associates. We know through experience that different ideas, perspectives, and backgrounds create a stronger and more collaborative work environment that delivers better results. As an organization, it fuels our innovation and connects us closer to our associates, customers, and the communities we serve.