Respiratory Therapist - Simpsonville Medical Center - PRN

Bon Secours is a faith-based and patient-focused organization committed to enhancing the health and well-being of all people in mind, body and spirit through exceptional patient care. Success in this goal requires a culture of compassion, collaboration, excellence and respect. Bon Secours seeks people who are committed to our values of compassion, human dignity, integrity, service and stewardship to create an environment where associates want to work and help communities thrive.

Respiratory Care Practitioner II – Simpsonville Medical Center (PRN) is responsible for providing respiratory care through patient assessment, planning, intervention, education, and evaluation. Performs all respiratory care procedures including but not limited to oxygen and aerosolized medication delivery, ventilator care, bronchial hygiene therapy, diagnostic services and patient and staff education. Monitors the patient’s response to therapies and makes recommendations to change or modify based on the assessment.

• May serve as the shift “Charge Therapist” with responsibility for 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.
• May assist physician performing procedures such as bronchoscopy, transtracheal catheter insertion, tracheotomy intubation (if intubation is performed by respiratory therapy in the facility), assists with tracheostomy endotracheal tube changes and invasive monitoring.
• Performs CPR including closed chest compressions and airway management techniques in accordance with the AHA ACLS protocol.
• Conducts prescribed therapeutic procedures to maintain a patient airway, including use of appropriate airways and airway humidification, aspiration of secretions, extubation, maintenance of correct ETT cuff pressures and documenting procedures in patient and department records.
• Selects, assembles, monitors and evaluates mechanical ventilators for proper function and operation, including correction of malfunctions and determining appropriateness for patient condition.
• May perform pulmonary function tests (PFT).
• Serves as a preceptor to new team members and/or students.
• Assesses patient’s physical status by inspection, palpation, auscultation, percussion, patient behavior and reviewing existing data in patient records.
• Performs treatments according to physician orders, explains therapy and therapeutic goals to patient; modifies treatment procedures based on patient response.
• Determines appropriateness of prescribed therapy and recommends methods to physician to achieve therapeutic goals including IPPB, aerosol therapy, postural drainage and percussion, ultrasonic nebulizer, incentive spirometry, metered dose inhalers and spacers, etc.
• Sets up and maintains different modes of oxygen therapy to maintain adequate PaO2 with accurate inspired oxygen levels.
• Administers IPPB or aerosol therapy, documents and monitors vital signs, cough productivity, relief of dyspnea, breath sounds and any adverse reactions to therapy; uses judgement and technical skill to determine possible adverse reactions and ensure appropriate therapy.
• Gives postural drainage, vibration, percussion to ensure proper drainage of bronchial secretions; checks orders and X-rays prior to initiating treatment; conducts auscultation before and after procedures to note changes in secretions and response to therapy.
• Instructs patients and families in incentive spirometer, MDI administration, postural drainage and clapping, oxygen therapy, ventilator care and home aerosol therapy.
• Procurement of sputum for culture and sensitivity or airway clearance through patient coaching, administration of mucolytics, aerosol therapy or endotracheal/nasopharyngeal suctioning.
• Evaluates normal and pathologic blood and urine laboratory value ranges.
• Performs arterial punctures and analysis; has knowledge of ABG interpretation. Performs arterial line procedures, maintains sterile technique and ABG…