Senior Respiratory Therapist- NICU

Senior Respiratory Therapist - NICU role at Saint Joseph Mercy Health System. Position purpose:
Clinical Specialists and/or PFT Therapists are credentialed respiratory therapists actively working in their area of specialty credentialing. Sr. Respiratory Therapists are required to attain additional credentialing as appropriate for their area of expertise: examples CPFT, RPFT, FCC course, neonatal/pediatric specialty, NRP, etc. Sr. Respiratory Therapists are responsible for performing various therapeutic and site/unit specific advanced practice procedures. They provide professional leadership representing the respiratory care department in daily activities and participate in unit specific meetings and related clinical work groups.

Sr. Respiratory Therapists participate in orientation of staff and student training programs.

Employment Type:

Full time. Shift: Night Shift.

• Provides professional leadership in the delivery of patient care.
• Uses AIDET principles when interfacing/treating every patient throughout the organization. Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Explanation, Thank You.
• Where appropriate, with each patient interaction, uses Managing Up as a form of communication that positions information, a person, or team in a positive manner.
• Provides a consistent experience to patients, families, visitors and internal customers by using Key Words at Key Times. Specifically, uses key words to help patients understand what is happening with their care, assist internal customers understand service better, and build relationships.
• Serves as a consultant, resource person, and role model representing respiratory care in health system committees or work groups as needed.
• Maintains the confidentiality of information according to HIPAA guidelines.
• Maintains safe respiratory therapy practices; alerts management of any safety issues or concerns.
• Performs all duties and responsibilities of a Respiratory Therapist per AARC guidelines and maintains competencies per RT II orientation. Examples include:
  Cardiopulmonary arrest situations;
  Other emergency situations;
  Participates in patient rounds.
• Ensures treatments, therapies and diagnostic testing are provided in accordance with physician orders and approved medical protocols.
• Ensures that equipment is in safe operating condition and contacts repair personnel or charge therapists as appropriate.
• Based on clinical assessment of patient situations, suggests changes in therapies to medical staff to benefit cardiopulmonary patient care.
• Demonstrates knowledge of procedures for oxygen and medical air shutdown.
• Stays updated on hospital and departmental policies and procedures.
• Prioritizes and addresses conflicting requests for respiratory care services.
• Provides high quality patient care considering age specific, developmental and cultural needs through competent practice and application of the respiratory care practice process.
• Has established competencies in unit/area/job specific areas as applicable, including: PFTs, Metabolic studies, Six minute pulse oximetry walks, NICU skill sets, NPS/NRP, IABP, FCC.
• Participates in new educational programs and equipment/procedure implementations as needed.
• Facilitates instruction of staff or students during clinical training; provides feedback during orientation when applicable.
• Completes Health Stream yearly on a timely basis per SJMHS standards.
• Responsible for own education for professional growth and maintains a log of activities.
• Successful completion of FCC course or NRP instructor course as appropriate and participates in FCC/NRP courses as needed.
• Maintains good rapport and cooperative relationships; addresses conflicts constructively and participates in their resolution.
• Maintains the confidentiality of information pertaining to patients, physicians, colleagues and visitors; discusses patient and hospital information only among appropriate personnel in appropriately private places.
• Behaves in accordance with the Code of Conduct, Service Excellence Standards, and the Mission, Vision and Values of SJMH.
• Assumes responsibility for the performance of job duties in the safest possible manner and reports…