Respiratory Therapist

OVERVIEW
This job involves treating patients with breathing and lung problems by providing oxygen, medications, and breathing treatments.
SCHEDULE: PRN (as needed)

SHIFT: Variable

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES   

• Performs routine therapies that aid in the treatment, diagnosis, and evaluation of their cardiopulmonary status.  

• Will Initiate, monitor, evaluate, and wean invasive and non-invasive ventilation. Makes parameter recommendations based on clinical assessment, technical assessment, patient compliance, patient response, laboratory values, and patient status. 

• Initiates and provides on-going evaluation of treatment regime including medication delivery and oxygen administration through therapist driven protocols by performing patient assessments to determine the needs related to treatment therapies, frequencies, and duration of treatment regime ordered by physician. 

• Assesses patients clinically before and after the administration or application of any medication, procedure, or device; recommends appropriate therapy including initial therapy, changes in therapy, and discontinuation. 

• Monitors, assesses, educates, and documents the patient and/or family on therapies, medications, goals of therapies, and equipment during treatment. 

• Documents work timely, completely, and accurately including documentation in the patient electronic medical record and departmental records. 

• Demonstrates competence in the set-up, calibration, and troubleshooting of mechanical ventilators, noninvasive ventilation devices, therapeutic bronchoscopies and pulmonary function screens.  

• Cleans using high level disinfection, assembles, and maintains equipment and the stocking of departmental supplies. 

• Performs and documents emergency rounds, oxygen saturation checks, and titrates oxygen per protocol during oxygen and aerosol rounds. 

• Performs therapies in strict compliance to universal precautions and proper body mechanics, using sound judgment in evaluating situations, and taking appropriate action when necessary. 

• Responds to emergent care situations in the hospital and assists with resuscitation by providing chest compressions, airway management, airway stabilization, and ventilatory support in accordance with the American Heart association guidelines and as directed by the Code Team Leader. 

• Transports adult patients on mechanical ventilators, non-invasive ventilation devices, and critically ill to intrahospital procedures and testing. 

• Provides developmentally appropriate care to support the various patient populations during their hospitalization. Demonstrates competence in the care of pediatric and adult patients (when/if assigned to these patients) relative to determining each patient’s age related and other physical, psycho-social, and cultural needs. 

• Maintains proficiency in the processing and interpreting of point of care (POC) blood gases, glucose, and electrolytes; and collaborates on quality control with the POC Coordinator (at applicable locations only). 

• May require on call coverage as needed. 

• Performs other duties as assigned.   

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE   

Graduate of an accredited Respiratory Care Program 

CERTIFICATION/LICENSURE            

RRT- CRT will be accepted for RTs that are not eligible for RRT.  All other CRTs must earn RRT within 1 year of hire. 

CPR - Recognized Courses:  Mercyhealth will only accept life support courses exclusively through the American Heart Association (AHA). Certain AHA courses such as Heartsaver or HeartCode courses do not meet Mercyhealth standards. 

NRP within 90 days of orientation, for those departments requiring delivery attendance 

IL and/ or WI Respiratory Care Practitioner license          

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES  

Good mathematical and interpersonal skills 

LEVEL OF SUPERVISION 

Work requires a moderate level of independent judgment along with good interpretative and interpersonal skills with justification and accountability to Lead, Supervisor, Manager, and Director. 

PAY RANGE:

$33.12 - $51.33

Mercyhealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

Mercyhealth offers competitive pay and benefits, including retirement, time off, on-demand pay, access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and more. Click here for more details.

At Mercyhealth, we don’t simply hire people, we empower employee-partners who are passionate about making lives better. As an integrated health system, we deliver exceptional, coordinated across seven hospitals, 85 primary and specialty clinics, and a team of over 7,500 professionals serving northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.

Mercyhealth has been nationally recognized for our commitment to our people and culture, including:

• #1 in the nation on AARP's Best Employers for Workers Over 50

• One of Working Mother magazine's 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers

• A Top 50 Company and Top 10 Nonprofit for Executive Women