Respiratory Therapist; RT - Lourdes Hospital

Respiratory Therapist (RT) - Lourdes Hospital

At Bon Secours Mercy Health, we are dedicated to continually improving health care quality, safety, and cost effectiveness. Our hospitals, care sites, and clinicians are recognized for clinical and operational excellence. As a faith-based and patient-focused organization, Mercy Health exists to enhance the health and well‑being of all people through exceptional patient care. Success in this goal requires a culture of compassion, collaboration, excellence, and respect.

Job Summary:

The Respiratory Care Practitioner II is responsible for providing respiratory care through patient assessment, planning, intervention, education, and evaluation. Performs all respiratory care procedures including oxygen and aerosolized medication delivery, ventilator care, bronchial hygiene therapy, diagnostic services, and patient and staff education. Monitors the patient’s response to therapies and makes recommendations to change or modify based on the assessment.

Essential Functions:

• May serve as the shift “Charge Therapist” with responsibility for ensuring adequate respiratory care staff to cover patient care areas and needs.
• May assist physician performing procedures such as bronchoscopy, transtracheal catheter insertion, tracheotomy intubation, tracheostomy endotracheal tube changes, and invasive monitoring.
• Performs CPR including closed chest compressions and airway management techniques in accordance with the AHA ACLS protocol.
• Conducts prescribed therapeutic procedures to maintain a patient airway, including use of appropriate airways, humidification, aspiration, extubation, and ETT cuff pressure management.
• Selects, assembles, monitors, and evaluates mechanical ventilators for proper function and operation.
• May perform pulmonary function tests (PFT).
• Serves as a preceptor to new team members and/or students.
• Assesses patient’s physical status using inspection, palpation, auscultation, percussion, and behavioral observation.
• Performs treatments according to physician orders and modifies procedures based on patient response.
• Determines appropriateness of prescribed therapy and recommends methods to achieve therapeutic goals.
• Sets up and maintains different modes of oxygen therapy to maintain adequate PaO2 with accurate inspired levels.
• Administers intermittent positive pressure breathing (IPPB) or aerosol therapy, documenting vital signs and patient response.
• Provides postural drainage, vibration, percussion for bronchial secretions, confirming clearance with auscultation.
• Instructs patients and families in incentive spirometry, inhaler use, postural drainage, oxygen therapy, ventilator care, and home aerosol therapy.
• Collects sputum for culture and sensitivity or airway clearance through patient coaching and suctioning.
• Evaluates normal and pathologic blood and urine laboratory value ranges.
• Performs arterial punctures and analysis, including ABG interpretation and arterial line procedures.
• May perform EKGs, understanding electronic monitoring, lead placement, and basic arrhythmias.
• Maintains all respiratory therapy equipment and supplies.
• Responds to cardio‑pulmonary resuscitations and actively participates as indicated by clinical circumstances.

This document is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, or working conditions associated with the job. Employees may be required to perform other job‑related duties as required by their supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodation.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree, related to Respiratory Therapy, Health Care, Healthcare Administration, or Business Administration (preferred).

Required Licensing &

Certifications:

• Current Respiratory Care License in the state they are working (required).
• National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) credentialed (required).
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) (preferred).
• BLS Basic Life Support – American Heart Association (required).
• ACLS Advanced Cardiac Life Support – American Heart Association or Red Cross (required).
• PALS Pediatric Advanced Life Support – American Heart Association (required).
• NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program) – AAP/AWHONN (preferred).
• Certified Pulmonary…