Respiratory Therapist

Kaweah Health is a publicly owned, community healthcare organization that provides comprehensive health services to the greater Visalia area in central California. With more than 5,000 employees, Kaweah Health provides state-of-the-art medicine and high-quality preventive services in our acute care hospital, specialized health centers and clinics. Our eight-campus healthcare district has 613 beds and offers comprehensive health services across a broad continuum of care.   

It takes a special person to work for Kaweah Health. We serve a region where the needs are great, which makes the rewards even greater. Every day, we care for people facing unique challenges and in need of healing. Throughout it all, our focus is to make a difference, and we do — in the health of our patients, our loved ones, and our community.

Benefits Eligible

Full-Time Benefit Eligible

Work Shift

Night - 12 Hour Shift (United States of America)

Department

7720 Respiratory TherapyUnder general supervision the RCP will perform all respiratory care related duties. Sets up and administers all routine and complex respiratory therapy procedures to patients of all ages in all areas of the hospital as prescribed by a physician. Responsible for the application and operation of acute care ventilators used for continuous short and long-term mechanical ventilation. Maintain all department and hospital records and enters accurate information into the hospital computer for the therapy as given.

QUALIFICATIONS

License /Certification
Required:

Current CA Respiratory Care Practitioner license

Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) from The National Board for Respiratory Care

BLS


Department Specific Requirements
If assigned education duties, requires three years experience in an acute care facility, preferably with supervisory or educational/training responsibilities.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Essential

Performs ventilator checks, assuring proper function of machine to ensure adequate ventilator support to patients. Performs more advanced therapy practices in the Intensive Care areas.

Administers IPPB and Aerosol treatments as prescribed by attending physician.

Performs and instructs patients on the use of postural drainage and percussion as prescribed by physician, assuring maximum secretion elimination.

Responds to Code Blue situation, performing life saving procedures under direction of physician.

Suctions patients using appropriate methods as described in the Respiratory Therapy procedure manual.

Relays pertinent information regarding patients and incidents to therapist on next shift. Receives information prior to beginning shift to better facilitate patient care.

Administers oxygen therapy, checking for proper functioning of oxygen equipment and therapeutic efficiency.

Performs bedside spirometry as pre- and post-bronchodilator test to chart patient progress.

Sterilizes and disinfects equipment according to manufacturers and department procedures. Assures all equipment is operating properly after processing.

Assists with training of respiratory and nursing students. Assists with in-service education to hospital personnel and the community.

Updates work schedule, adding and deleting patients as necessary. Assists with patient assignments with other members of the shift.

Charts all equipment rounds, oxygen rounds and administers treatments on all patients. Records all pertinent information on patient.

Assists with patient transport to other hospitals.

Assists in the development of Quality Assurance through therapeutic evaluation and monitoring.

Addendum (essential for specific dept)

PULMONARY FUNCTION:

Calibrates pulmonary function equipment prior to first use Monday-Friday including bedside spirometer. Maintains monthly calibration logs. Performs monthly bio-study to validate quality assurance. Performs spirometry tests including: FVC, SVC, MVV, and MIP. Performs diffusion capacity tests entering hemoglobin correction when appropriate. Performs body plethysmography to obtain airway resistance and thoracic gas volume. If patient is unable to get in body box, performs nitrogen washout to obtain lung volumes. Performs spirometry before and after bronchodilator to document change. Performs bronchial provocation using Methacholine challenge testing when asthma is a serious possibility, and traditional methods of testing have not established or eliminated a diagnosis. Infection Control- wipes down all equipment between patients with hospital-approved disinfectant.

ENDOSCOPY:

Assists in the management of patient undergoing endoscopic examination and/or treatment. Participates in preprocedural patient preparation. Gathers data pertinent to preprocedural assessment. Provides preprocedural explanation and education. Under direction of the physician, administers preprocedural and topical medications within the scope of practice. Assists physician during endoscopic procedure. Sets up appropriate equipment and instrumentation. Provides suctioning as appropriate. Assists in the monitoring of patient's vital signs. Handles all patient specimens safely. Assists in obtaining specimens. Accurately labels specimen with patient and tissue information. Delivers specimen to clinical laboratory. Manages equipment, instrumentation, and supplies to optimize patient safety and physician support. Makes sure appropriate supplies will be available to support patient care and physician need. Orders and restocks endoscopy supplies daily. Ensures appropriate tracking of inventory for turnover and charging. Assists in the maintenance of accurate documentation of all endoscopic activity.

NICU:

Initiates, monitors and assesses continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) utilizing various application devices resulting in optimal ventilation/oxygenation. Safely administers oxygen therapy by various applications (simple cannula, comfort flow, etc) while maintaining adequate oxygenation. Performs ventilator assessments assuring proper mechanical function, therapeutic application, and efficacy while assuring optimal outcomes. Assists with transcutaneous monitor set-up, maintenance and ongoing monitoring. Administers therapeutic aerosols and surfactant replacement therapy as prescribed by attending physician. Attends cesarean sections and high-risk deliveries providing advanced airway management. Provides oropharyngeal/tracheal suctioning utilizing appropriate skills/aseptic techniques assuring proper secretion management without patient compromise. Initiates, monitors, and downloads neonatal/pediatric pneumograms.

PEDIATRICS:

Safely administers oxygen therapy by various applications (simple cannula, comfort flow, etc) while maintaining adequate oxygenation. Administers aerosol and meter dose medications as prescribed by attending physician. Performs and instructs patient and care giver on the use of postural drainage and percussion as prescribed by physician, assuring maximum secretion elimination. Provides oropharyngeal/tracheal suctioning utilizing appropriate skills/aseptic techniques assuring proper secretion management without patient compromise. Initiates, monitors, and downloads neonatal/pediatric pneumograms. Works in concert with the pediatric department staffs (Medical and Nursing) in supporting age specific interventions optimizing patient acceptance/participation and outcomes. Actively participates in patient/family education providing comprehensive information specific to respiratory disease/medications/interventions.

TEAM LEAD:

Is a primary clinical resource for staff. Is a role model and mentor for staff. Acts as the Respiratory Manager Representative in his/her absence. Provides leadership and support for staff through effective problem solving and decision making. Is a resource for staff: Manages Staff and Patient Care: Coordinates care in high-risk/emergent situations and keeps Manger/Director aware of critical patients and any unit issues. Ensures collaboration between staff, physicians, other providers, and departments involved in the care of patients on their unit. Keeps lines of communication open. Ensures patient care issues are documented and reported. Assures the appropriate Respiratory Care Practitioner completes a Statement of Concern. Understands and utilizes Medical Staff and Kaweah Health’s chain of command. Provides employee guidance and informs Manager/Director of counselling needs. Makes fiscally responsible decisions regarding staffing and use of patient supplies.

Additional

Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care and services appropriate to the population served on the assigned unit or work area. Knowledgeable of growth and development for all patient/family cultural, linguistic, spiritual, gender, and age specific needs. Able to effectively communicate and care for patient and family as reflected in the Plan for Provision of Care.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Pay Range

$37.42 -$56.14

If you want to use your talents alongside people who face each day with courage and purpose, in an environment that empowers you to do your absolute best, this is where you belong.