Respiratory Care Practitioner - Respiratory Therapy - St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital

Respiratory Care Practitioner - Respiratory Therapy - St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital

Join to apply for the Respiratory Care Practitioner - Respiratory Therapy - St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital role at 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.
Mercy Health is a faith-based and patient-focused organization that enhances the well-being of all people through exceptional patient care. Success requires a culture of compassion, collaboration, excellence and respect. Mercy Health seeks people committed to compassion, human dignity, integrity, service and stewardship to create an environment where associates want to work and help communities thrive.

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 oxygen, aerosolized medication delivery, ventilator care, bronchial hygiene therapy, diagnostic services and patient and staff education. Monitors patient response to therapies and recommends changes or modifications based on assessment.

• May serve as a preceptor to new team members and/or students.
• Assess patient's physical status by inspection, palpation, auscultation, percussion, patient behavior and reviewing existing data in patient's record.
• Perform treatments according to physician orders, explain therapy and therapeutic goals to patient; modify treatment procedures based on patient response.
• Determine appropriateness of prescribed therapy and recommend methods to physician to achieve therapeutic goals including IPPB, aerosol therapy, postural drainage and percussion, ultrasonic nebulizer, incentive spirometry, metered dose inhalers and spacers.
• Set up and maintain different modes of oxygen therapy to maintain adequate PaO2 with accurate inspired levels of oxygen.
• Administer intermittent positive pressure breathing (IPPB) or aerosol therapy by preparing prescribed medication, adjusting machine or device to accomplish patient’s individual clinical needs; document and observe patient’s vital signs, productivity of cough, relief of dyspnea, improved breath sounds and any adverse reactions to therapy; use judgment and technical skill to determine possible adverse reactions and suggest appropriateness of therapy.
• Give postural drainage, vibration, percussion to ensure proper drainage of bronchial secretions by manual or mechanical percussion; check orders and X-rays for segments prior to initiating treatment; auscultate before and after procedure to note presence of clearance of secretions and response to therapy.
• Instruct 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; assist with tracheostomy endotracheal tube changes; ensure proper humidification.
• Procure sputum for culture and sensitivity or airway clearance by patient coaching, administration of mucolytics, aerosol therapy or endotracheal/nasopharyngeal suctioning.
• Evaluate normal and pathologic blood and urine laboratory value ranges.
• Perform arterial punctures and analysis; possess in-depth knowledge of analysis and arterial blood gas (ABG) interpretation. Perform arterial line procedures, take safety precautions, sterile procedure, flushing, and ABG aspirations.
• May perform EKGs; understand electronic monitoring, lead placement, and basic arrhythmias.
• Maintain all respiratory therapy equipment and supplies.
• Respond to cardiopulmonary resuscitations and actively participate as indicated by clinical circumstances.

• Graduate of an AMA approved school for Respiratory Care (required)
• Bachelor's Degree related to respiratory therapy/health care/healthcare administration/business administration (preferred)

• Current Respiratory Care License in the state…