Registered Respiratory Therapist
Carondelet Saint Joseph's Hospital
Tucson, AZ

Position Summary 

A licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner is responsible for the performance of diagnostic testing and the administration of prescribed respiratory therapy procedures and medications and related life support measures to patients with deficiencies, abnormalities, and diseases of the cardiopulmonary system. The Respiratory Care Practitioner assesses patient condition, reviews medical history, and documents patient progress and response to treatment according to hospital department and accrediting organizations standards. The Respiratory Care Practitioner is aware of and applies research-based current clinical practices for patient care. Contacts physician regarding patient status, to clarify orders, makes recommendations for therapy, and recognizes when contraindications are present. The Respiratory Care Practitioner, in collaboration with other licensed caregivers, helps to maintain the interdisciplinary plan of care based on patient and family response.

• Level 1 – Minimal Competencies  
  • Perform diagnostic testing and the administration of prescribed respiratory therapy. 
  • Perform SVN Therapy and MDI Therapy on intubated and non-intubated patients. 
  • Performs Incentive Spirometry and documentation per facilities guidelines. 
  • Perform chest physiotherapy -by manual or mechanical means. 
  • Performs sputum induction and appropriate documentation. 
  • Perform arterial puncture and arterial line draws 
  • Perform arterial blood gas and co-oximetry analysis per facility including critical value result notification. 
  • Perform bedside Pulmonary Function screening pre and post bronchodilator with review of study data, and document appropriately. 
  • Administer routinely prescribed inhaled medications and substitutions.  
  • Clarify pharmacy orders.  
  • Complete Med. Admin.  
  • Record- MAR sign off as appropriate per facility. 
  • Initiate and maintain Non-invasive Ventilation per physician order with appropriate documentation. 
  • Initiate and maintain mechanical ventilation per physician orders with appropriate documentation. 
  • Initiate and maintain transport ventilators, with appropriate documentation 
  • Perform daily maintenance and quality assurance measures as appropriate per facility specifications 
  • Maintenance, stocking and cleaning of all appropriate respiratory care supplies and equipment and storage areas. 
  • Performs nasal / oral tracheal suction and uses, operates, and maintains closed suction systems. 
  • Understands medical gas systems and zone valve locations within the facility. 
  • Follows all infection control standards for patient care and equipment processing. 
  • Adheres to established bundle protocols VAP, Pressure ulcers, universal protocols, and other protocols as identified. 
  • Performs appropriate weaning parameters and VC, NIF, Vt f/Vt with appropriate documentation 
  • Familiar with code cart locations, code cart supplies and defibrillator use / operation. 
  • Understands Oxygen therapy and provides appropriate oxygen and continuous aerosol therapy per facility 
  • Responds to all emergency situations, Code arrests, Rapid Response calls and documents appropriately. 
  • Provides rescue breathing via bag/mask/valve or pocket mask. 
  • Understands appropriate medication labeling and storage of medication (locations). 
  • Assist with other assigned or daily department responsibilities. 
  • Understands the Incident command system (HEICS). 
  • Cleans, sets up and safety checks ventilators and BiPAP/CPAP units and other equipment as indicated. 
  • Performs all necessary department paperwork such as badger exception log, daily assignment log, work schedules, and therapist worksheets. 
• Level 2 – Advanced level competencies/Duties.  
  • Coordinates the departmental paperwork such as badger exception log.  
  • Performs Kronos reports, daily assignment log, work schedule, and therapist worksheets. 
  • May participate in performance assessment and improvement process. 
  • Maintain Blood Gas & Co-ox log boo and oversee completion of Blood Gas report, Co-oximetry and PFT Screening reports. 
  • Understands medical gas systems, zone valve locations, and performs back-feeding procedures for the facility when indicated. 
  • Trains and acts as a resource for respiratory department staff. 
  • Recognize problems and suggest strategies to correct situations that may compromise clinical services. 
  • Assists with bronchoscopies per facility guidelines with appropriate cleaning and documentation. 
  • May serve as Charge Therapist. 
  • Contribute to the enhancement of programs and services. 
  • Performs other airway management skills per competency validation process. 
  • Performs arterial line placement, evaluation and monitoring per competency validation process. 
  • Performs venous line or other peripherally inserted lines per competency validation process. 
  • Performs other airway management procedures as approved by the facility per competency validation process. 
  • Performs other procedures and or duties assigned within scope of practice and licensure requirements.  

• Minimum Requirements: 
  • Education:  
    • Associate of Science in Respiratory Therapy 
    • RCP associates hired prior to 03/01/11 not meeting this requirement have been grandfathered and the Associates Degree is not required. 
  • Experience: Clinical experience that includes adult, pediatric and infant general med-surg and critical care therapeutics and diagnostics. 
  • Skills: 
    • Basic Computer Skills 
    • Verbal and written communication skills.  
    • Be proficient in all phases of care delivery for basic and advanced respiratory care practices, both invasive and non-invasive. 
    • Respiratory Care Practice Act;  
    • Familiar with the scientific process as it relates to Respiratory Care Practice.  
    • Proficient in use of technology related to therapeutics and diagnostics for general med-surg and critical care. This includes ventilators, monitors, gas analyzers, co-oximeters, pulmonary function screeners.  
    • Must be able to work flexible schedules to accommodate the needs of the department / facility which includes holidays and weekends. 
  • Licensure/Certifications:  
    • Respiratory Care Practitioner for Arizona Certificates 
    • Registered Respiratory Therapist or Registry eligible; BLS 
    • CHVI Specific: PALS, ACLS within 6 months of hire and every two years 
• Preferred Requirements:  

  • Education: Bachelor of Science in related field  

     

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