Respiratory Therapist

Job Description

SUMMARY:Assists the patient in achieving the goals of their Respiratory Treatment Plan and supports life by performing the patient’s prescribed respiratory interventions and therapies, monitoring physiological responses to these interventions and therapies, and sharing these findings with the multidisciplinary team.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Patient Care – 75%

a. Assists the patient in achieving the goals of their Respiratory Treatment Plan and supports life by performing the patient’s prescribed respiratory interventions and therapies including administering inhalants (via small volume nebulizers, metered dose inhalers, dry powder inhalers, etc.), operation of mechanical ventilators (invasive and/or noninvasive), managing therapeutic gas administration apparatuses (heated humidified trach collar, nasal cannula, high flow nasal cannula, etc.), administering airway clearance therapies (vibrative and percussive therapies, cough assist devices), safe and effective tracheal suction, managing natural and artificial airways, noninvasive monitoring, peak flow monitoring, asthma education, and other modalities, as needed

b. Assists the patient in achieving the goals of their Respiratory Treatment Plan by monitoring physiological responses to respiratory interventions and therapy, by monitoring vital signs and capnometry, and by interpreting blood gases and blood chemistry results

c. Evaluates the effects of the Respiratory Treatment Plan by observing, noting, and trending the patient’s progress, and makes recommendations for adjustments and modifications of the Respiratory Treatment Plan to the multidisciplinary team

d. Participates in discharge planning by consulting with the multidisciplinary team and makes the necessary contributions to Family Centered Rounds and conferences

e. Assists in assuring the continuation of the patient’s Respiratory Treatment Plan, in the outpatient setting, by performing bedside instruction with the patient’s family and/or caregivers in the patient’s prescribed respiratory interventions and therapies including administering inhalants (via small volume nebulizer, metered dose inhaler, dry powder inhaler, etc.), home operation of mechanical ventilators (invasive and/or noninvasive), managing therapeutic gas administration apparatuses (heated humidified trach collar, nasal cannula, high flow nasal cannula, etc.), administering airway clearance therapies (vibrative and percussive therapies, cough assist devices), safe and effective tracheal suction, managing natural and artificial airways, peak flow monitoring, asthma education, and other modalities, as needed; recommends additional training, as needed

f. Documents all training sessions electronically in the patient’s Electronic Medical Record

g. Protects patients and employees by adhering to policies, procedures, and protocols

h. Protects patients and employees by adhering to infection-control policies, procedures, and protocols

Special Procedures – 10%

a. Performs ventilator weaning

b. Assists Speech and Language Pathologists (SLP) with cuff deflation trials, and Passey-Muir Valve (PMV) trials

c. Assists with tracheostomy tube exchange and tracheostomy tube tie exchange

d. Performs blood analysis using the epoc® system

e. Performs Vent Mobility and accompanies the patient, requiring mechanical ventilation, with mobilization within the hospital

f. Performs Vent Mobility and accompanies the patient, requiring mechanical ventilation, or other forms of respiratory support, on interhospital ground transport

g. Staffs the outpatient Technology Dependent Clinic

h. Staffs the outpatient Spirometry Clinic

i. Responds to all emergency alerts

Patient/Family Education – 5%

a. Performs formal instruction with the patient’s family and/or caregivers in the patient’s prescribed respiratory interventions and therapies including administering inhalants (via small volume nebulizers, metered dose inhalers, dry powder inhalers, etc.), home operation of mechanical ventilators (invasive and/or noninvasive), managing therapeutic gas administration apparatuses (heated humidified trach collar, nasal cannula, high flow nasal cannula, etc.), administering airway clearance therapies (vibrative and percussive therapies, cough assist devices), safe and effective tracheal suction, managing natural and artificial airways, peak flow monitoring, asthma education, and other modalities, as needed; recommends additional training, as needed

b. Documents all training sessions electronically in the patient’s Electronic Medical Record

c. Uses non-technical terminology for the purpose of more clear communication with the patient, and patient’s family and/or caregivers

d. Performs immediate service recovery, when indicated

Staff/Student Education and Training – 5%

a. Participates in competencies, in-services and trainings of department orientees, respiratory students and colleagues

b. Acts as preceptor for department orientees and respiratory students; takes responsibility for ensuring return demonstration required for competency check-off

c. Assists in training of new Residents, Nursing staff, and Clinical Support Staff, as indicated

Continuing education – 3%

a. Attends all mandatory continuing education activities, competencies, in-services, and Skill’s Days

b. Remains current in required certifications (e.g. American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) ), and Continuing Education Units (CEUs) required for IL State Licensure

c. Participates in elective membership in the national and/or state societies for Respiratory Care Practitioners; updates the Respiratory Care Department with education obtained at the AARC (American Association for Respiratory Care) and/or ISRC (Illinois Society for Respiratory Care) conferences

d. Participates in elective continuing education activities and pursues advanced certifications (e.g. Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP), Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT), Neonatal Pediatric Specialist (NPS) ) as a means to support one’s own professional growth and development

Quality Improvement/Staff Meetings – 2%

a. Participates in Quality Improvement initiatives as designated by the Manager

b. Participates and adheres to Hospital wide Quality Improvement initiatives

c. Files Safety Learning Notifications (SLNs), as indicated

d. Ensures the safe operation of equipment by completing preventative maintenance requirements, following manufacturer’s instructions,

troubleshooting malfunctions, and submitting a Plant Operations

Workorder for equipment repair, when necessary

e. Identifies areas of improvement, both within the respiratory department and throughout the Hospital; escalates concerns to leadership

f. Attends all departmental meetings, in-person or virtually

Qualifications

Education: Graduate of an American Medical Association (AMA) approved Respiratory Care Program

Related Work Experience: Familiarity with the concepts and performance of invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation management, inhaled medication administration, airway clearance administration, blood gas analysis, noninvasive monitoring, tracheostomy tube and tie exchange, etc.

in a pediatric setting. 1 year pediatric experience preferred.

Licensure/Certification: Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) required; Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) preferred; Registered Respiratory Therapist Neonatal Pediatric Specialist (RRT-NPS) preferred; only credentialing issued by the National Board for Respiratory Care will be accepted

Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required; Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification preferred; PALS must be obtained within 6 months of hire; Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) preferred; only certifications issued by the American Heart Association will be accepted

Illinois Department of Professional and Financial Regulation (IDPFR) Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license required

Specialized Knowledge and Skills: Experience in the management of the pediatric patient requiring tracheostomy tube and mechanical ventilator preferred

Excellent verbal communication skills required

Additional Information

La Rabida Children’s Hospital is very proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

La Rabida is a place unlike any other. We understand the needs of families with children dealing with the most serious or complicated of conditions. With teams of the best healthcare providers in Chicago, we give continuous, comprehensive care, education, and support, helping families face their unique obstacles head-on.   

La Rabida Children’s Hospital is very proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.  

Compensation: 35 to 48 (USD) (HOURLY)