Respiratory Clinical Specialist

Description

The Respiratory Clinical Specialist reflects the mission, vision, and values of Northwestern Memorial, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

The Respiratory Clinical Specialist performs selected special procedures to patients that require complex respiratory intervention and monitoring. Utilizes appropriate patient assessment and triaging practices and applies advanced clinical and technical skills. Provides all modes of respiratory care and is certified to perform procedures over multiple service divisions.

• Performs all functions of a Respiratory Therapist – RRT; see job class #9417
• Implements special clinical procedures within one of the following specialty areas: ECMO;
  Asthma/COPD;
  Tracheostomies:
  Medical ICU;
  Coronary Care Unit and Cath Lab;
  Surgical ICU and PACU;
  Cardio-Thoracic ICU;
  Neuro-Spine ICU;
  Pulmonary Unit;
  Neonatal ICU;
  Trauma & Emergency Response; involving highly technical equipment management requiring understanding and functional knowledge of complex physiologic processes and interpretation of data.
• Consults with physicians, nurses and other health care professionals and participates in daily patient rounds for assigned specialty area to promote consistent quality and delivery of patient care.
• Administers respiratory therapy primarily within a defined specialty area, but is also proficient in multiple clinical specialty areas.
• Provides orientation, technical/clinical direction and guidance to staff upon hire and on an ongoing basis to ensure standards of high quality are achieved and maintained in the delivery of patient care and compliance with policies, procedures and clinical protocols.
• In the absence of the Clinical Coordinator or the Education Coordinator, effectively assumes his/her responsibilities to carry through the operations of the department.

• Provides direct patient care for a minimum of 50% of hours worked; for direct patient care responsibilities, see job class # 9417
• Performs ongoing assessments of the patient service needs in the assigned specialty area.
• Presents minimum of 2 in-service programs per year for departmental staff.
• Assists Education Coordinator with annual departmental clinical competencies.
• Performs equipment evaluations and active research projects and provides follow-up to manager and Clinical Coordinator.
• Reviews and revises existing policy and procedure manuals.
• Develops policy and procedures for new equipment and procedures.
• Assists with the development of clinical research protocols and participates in their implementation.
• Oversees and coordinates ongoing clinical research projects and participates on selected patient care committees.

• Oversees other therapists within the specialty areas in the performance of specific duties.
• Teaches specific clinical skills to staff/students and serves as a professional role model
• Provides orientation to staff/students and other health professionals to department, patient care floors and policies.
• Provides input to Performance Management for other staff
• Attends committee meetings within assigned specialty area and provides manager with updates of pertinent issues.

• Reports daily operational issues of the specialty area to the Respiratory Clinical Coordinator, ECMO Coordinator, or Education Coordinator, depending on specialty.
• Promotes and maintains open lines of communication with all departmental staff.
• Attends/contributes to monthly departmental and discipline specific meetings in addition to meetings for specialty.
• Serves as a liaison between the Department of Respiratory Care and the medical staff within specialty area to promote consistency.

• Adheres to the Hospital and departmental policies and procedures.
• Adheres to the Code of Ethics, Customer Service Standards and the Patient’s First mission as demonstrated through positive patient/guest relations, positive and effective interactions with staff, formulating and meeting developmental…