Registered Respiratory Therapist

Everyone who works with Mercy Health is united under one purpose: to help our patients be well in mind, body and spirit. This drive, along with our history of faith, is a powerful combination. It gives us a shared calling to work toward every day. Join our exceptional team and help us continue to provide the highest quality of health care possible to our communities.

Summary Of Primary Function/General Purpose Of Position

The Respiratory Care Practitioner II is responsible for providing respiratory care through patient assessment, planning, intervention, education, and evaluation. Performs all respiratory care procedures within scope of license. Monitors the patient's response to therapies and makes recommendations to change or modify based on the assessment. Serves as a preceptor to new team members.

Essential Job Functions

• May serve as the shift “Charge Therapist” with responsibility of ensuring adequate number of respiratory care staff to cover patient care areas and needs. This may include assigning respiratory care staff to work areas and/or work assignments, modifying work assignments, assisting with meal coverage, fielding call offs and providing adequate staffing levels for the next shift. Serve as a preceptor to new team members and/or students.
• In collaboration with the interdisciplinary care team, conducts initial and ongoing patient assessment, analyzes assessment data, creates a plan of care, implements treatment, and evaluates treatment effectiveness.
• Performs treatments and therapies according to physician orders. Explains therapy and therapeutic goals to patient; modifies treatment procedures based on patient response. Sets up and maintains different modes of therapy. Determines appropriateness of prescribed therapy and recommends methods to physician to achieve therapeutic goals.
• Maintains proper documentation, patient medical charting and recordkeeping. Maintains established policies and procedures, objectives, quality assurance program, safety, environmental, and infection control standards.
• Provides patient education on cardiopulmonary diseases/disorders and associated treatment options. Instructs patient and patient’s caregiver(s) in incentive spirometer, metered dose inhaler (MDI) administration, oxygen therapy, home aerosol therapy, or ventilator care, if applicable.
• Sets up and maintains respiratory therapy equipment and supplies.
• Responds to cardio-pulmonary resuscitations and actively participates as indicated by clinical circumstances.

Licensing/Certification

Current Respiratory Care License in the state they are working (required)

National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) credentialed (required)

Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) (preferred)

BLS Basic Life Support or ACLS Advanced Cardiac Life Support and PALS Pediatric Advanced Life Support (preferred at hire, must obtain from approved source prior to direct patient care)

NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program) - AAP/AWHONN (preferred), required for Roper St Francis Healthcare

Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT) (preferred)

Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT) (preferred)

ACCS (Adult Critical Care Specialist) - NBRC (preferred)

Valid driver’s license (required for Home Care/DME)

Education

Bachelor's Degree in a related field (preferred)

Work Experience

Two years of experience as a Respiratory Care Professional (required)

Training

EPIC Electronic Health Record (EHR) training (preferred)

Language

None

Patient Population – Competency is based on the patient population of the site/facility

Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development of the life span and possesses the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interprets the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his or her age, specific needs and to provide the care needed as described in departmental policies and procedures.

Neonates (0-4 weeks)

Infant (1-12 months)

Pediatrics (1-12 years)

Adolescents (13-17 years)

Adults (18-64 years)

Geriatrics (65 years and older)

Working Conditions

Periods of high stress and fluctuating workloads may occur

May be exposed to physical altercations and…