Respiratory Care Practitioner Registered

Overview

Respiratory Care Practitioner I Registered. Under physician supervision, in accordance with policies and procedures approved by the Medical Director, assumes primary clinical responsibility for all respiratory care modalities and exercises independent clinical judgment in respiratory care. Serves as a technical resource to physicians and hospital staff regarding current practices and safe methods for administering respiratory care. Works under the supervision of an administrative supervisor or technical lead to deliver respiratory care services in all hospital areas.

May adapt to the duty area and perform special duties as assigned. Special duties may include providing basic and advanced respiratory care to neonatal and pediatric patients in the ICU and during transport, and performing a variety of diagnostic tests of the cardiopulmonary system to determine disease and treatment effects.

• Selects, Reviews, Obtains and Interprets Data: Reads and evaluates physician orders, clarifies as needed; accurately transcribes orders to electronic charting system or patient master; reviews patient information and performs systematic assessment/data collection; assesses cardiopulmonary status by inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation, and interview; interprets data to formulate goal-directed plans of care and determine treatment requirements (type, duration, precautions, equipment, medications, and dosages);
  
  determines modifications to orders and makes recommendations to physicians.
• Recommends Procedures to Obtain Additional Data: Includes radiographs, bronchoscopy, Gram stain and culture, spirometry, blood gas analysis, lung mechanics, work of breathing, EKG, and noninvasive monitoring.
• Performs Procedures and Interprets Results: ABG sampling and analysis, co-oximetry, spirometry, and related tests; may perform EKGs and pulmonary function/sleep diagnostic tests; may perform exercise stress tests.
• Assembles and Checks Equipment for Proper Function, Operation and Cleanliness: Ensures respiratory life support equipment is ready, troubleshoots and performs minor repairs; may perform quality control for blood analysis devices and pulmonary function equipment; participates in cleaning, disinfecting, sterilizing and routine preventive maintenance; orders/stocks departmental supplies.
• Initiates, Conducts and Modifies Prescribed Therapeutic or Diagnostic Procedures: Operates medical equipment per guidelines; checks alarms; explains therapy goals to patients; conducts procedures to maintain airway patency and adequate ventilation/oxygenation; monitors patient responses and modifies procedures as needed; documents information in the medical record; may initiate or modify ventilation strategies, assist with extubation, patient education, and disease management; can provide CPR per guidelines;
  
  may assist with intubation, bronchoscopy, thoracentesis, tracheostomy, cardioversion, and intubation; may participate in critical care transport, high-risk deliveries, surfactant replacement in neonates, pulmonary rehabilitation, home care, discharge planning, and community outreach; may initiate therapist-driven protocols.
• Supervision and Administration: May assign, organize and coordinate work of assigned Respiratory Care Practitioners; may demonstrate and train staff; contributes to quality improvement; may schedule staff and manage staffing; assesses care delivery priorities and redistributes resources; protects data; maintains knowledge of information systems and audit trails; may develop clinical and administrative policies and serve as Timekeeper for TIME system.
• Other Assessment Criteria: Adheres to attendance and punctuality, documents time in TIME system, maintains professional appearance and ethics, participates in continuing education and professional organizations.

• Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, technical manuals, and short correspondence or memos.
• Ability to write simple correspondence
• Ability to speak and understand English
• Ability to present information effectively in one-on-one and small group settings
• Willingness to work…