Respiratory Therapist; RRT - Southside Medical Center - PRN

Respiratory Therapist (RRT) - Southside Medical Center - PRN

Respiratory Therapist (RRT) - Southside Medical Center - PRN
Bon Secours Mercy Health

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.

The Respiratory Care Practitioner I is responsible for providing respiratory care through patient assessment, planning, intervention, education, and evaluation. Performs all respiratory care procedures including but not limited to oxygen and aerosolized medication delivery, ventilator care, bronchial hygiene therapy, diagnostic services and patient and staff education. Monitors the patient's response to such therapies and makes recommendations to change or modify based on the assessment.

• May serve as preceptor to new team members and/or students.
• Assesses patient's physical status by inspection, palpation, auscultation, percussion, patient behavior and reviewing existing data in patient's record.
• Performs treatments according to physician orders, explains therapy and therapeutic goals to patient; modifies treatment procedures based on patient response.
• Determines appropriateness of prescribed therapy and recommends methods to physician to achieve therapeutic goals including IPPB, aerosol therapy, postural drainage and percussion, ultrasonic nebulizer, incentive spirometry, metered dose inhalers and spacers, etc.
• Sets up and maintains different modes of oxygen therapy, to maintain adequate PaO2’s with accurate inspired levels of oxygen.
• Administers intermittent positive pressure breathing (IPPB) or aerosol therapy by first preparing the prescribed medication ordered by the physician and adjusting the machine or device to accomplish patient's individual clinical needs; documents and observes patient's vital signs, productivity of cough, relief of dyspnea, improved breath sounds and any adverse reactions to therapy; and uses judgment and technical skill to determine possible adverse reactions and suggestions for appropriateness of therapy.
• Gives postural drainage, vibration, percussion to ensure proper drainage of bronchial secretions by use of manual or mechanical percussion; checks orders and X-rays for segments to be treated prior to initiating treatment; auscultates prior to and after procedure to note presence of clearance of secretions and response to therapy.
• Instructs patients and families in incentive spirometer, metered dose inhaler (MDI) administration, postural drainage and clapping, oxygen therapy, ventilator care and home aerosol therapy.
• May assist doctor with bronchoscopy and tracheostomy; assists with tracheostomy endotracheal tube changes; ensures proper humidification.
• Procures sputum for culture and sensitivity or airway clearance either by patient coaching, administration of mucolytics, aerosol therapy or endotracheal / nasopharyngeal suctioning.
• Evaluates normal and pathologic blood and urine laboratory value ranges.
• Performs arterial punctures and analysis; has an in-depth knowledge of analysis and arterial blood gas (ABG) interpretation. Performs arterial line procedures, takes safety precautions, sterile technique, flushing, and ABG aspirations.
• May perform EKGs; understands electronic monitoring, lead placement, and basic arrhythmias.
• Maintains all Respiratory Therapy equipment and supplies.
• Responds to cardiorespiratory 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.

• Bachelor's Degree, related to Respiratory Therapy/Health care/Healthcare Admin/Business Admin (preferred)

• Current Respiratory Care License in the state they are working (required)
• National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) credentialed (required)
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)…