Respiratory Therapist; RRT - Pekin

Overview

Sign-on Bonus Available! Relocation bonus available for 1yr+ experience and >50mi.

As a health care professional, the incumbent is responsible for, but not limited to, managing the processes involved in performing respiratory therapy, ventilator management, ECG, oxygen administration and airway management.

Certifications:

• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) within 1 year
  - American Heart Association (AHA)
• Basic Life Support (BLS) within 30 days
  - American Heart Association (AHA)
• Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) - Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) - National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC)
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) within 1 year
  - American Heart Association (AHA)

Education:

Associate's Degree in Respiratory Therapy (Required).

Work Experience:

Respiratory therapy.

• Interprets and executes physician orders.
• Demonstrates the ability to individualize therapy to meet the patient's need.
• Demonstrates the ability to anticipate patient needs.
• Demonstrates the ability to calculate medication dosages.
• Performs patient education.
• Performs all duties in an efficient and timely manner.
• Notify leader of respiratory care, nursing supervisor, or unit leader of any inappropriate patient care issues.
• Documents all medication and patient care errors.
• Uses protective equipment appropriately.
• Performs intubations and changes tracheostomy tubes as assigned.
• Practices good body mechanics, getting assistance as needed to protect patient and own safety.
• Remains alert and responsive to all alarms/call lights.
• Follows proper hand washing and infection control between patients and procedures.
• Performs testing in a manner that ensures accurate results.
• Maintains a clean work area, checks and stocks supplies in their specific area.
• Performs oxygen rounds.
• Performs accurate DAU and BAT testing as assigned. (Methodist only)
• Responds to all pages and requests in a timely manner.
• Performs home care instructions and arranges for home oxygen, nebulizer, and/or suction equipment.
• Responds to emergency situations, RRT calls and codes immediately.
• Remains calm and effective in emergency and/or stressful situations.
• Ensures patient safety in the hospital environment by following policy/procedures and adhering to National Patient Safety Goals.
• Possesses knowledge and skills necessary to obtain adequate lab specimens for testing.
• Performs patient bedside lab testing (ABGs) and associated quality control in compliance with medical provider’s orders and hospital lab procedures/policies.

• Maintains knowledge of all modes of ventilation and weaning modalities.
• Responds promptly to urgent needs.
• Uses protective equipment appropriately.
• Participates in patient rounds with physicians if assigned.
• Performs ventilator checks every 2 hours and PRN.
• Sets appropriate ventilator alarms within recommended parameters.
• Educates students and other health professionals about ventilator functions.
• Documents ventilator settings and patient information accurately.
• Acts as patient advocate.
• Practices appropriate patient assessment skills to evaluate patient needs.
• Contacts physicians to improve patient care.
• Contacts physicians concerning ventilator settings.
• Collaborates with appropriate healthcare workers concerning patient care issues.
• Sets up, verifies proper function, operates, and monitors ventilators, BIPAP and CPAP.

• Completes documentation of all therapy, ventilator, and oxygen.
• Completes documentation on all internal forms.
• Documents complete and accurate charge entry daily.
• Completes accurate information on all ECGs.
• Performs editing of ECGs accurately when assigned.
• Documents on all diagnostic tests.

• Learns the functions of all new equipment.
• Learns new procedures.
• Knowledgeable of departmental policies and procedures.
• Completes all mandatory education within the stated timeframe.
• Attends educational offerings to validate skills.
• Maintains current knowledge of all equipment.
• Maintains current license.
• Maintains current credentials.
• Acts as a resource person…