respiratory therapist-full time - Meadville, PA , USA, United States - Meadville Medical Center

Description

SUMMARY

Coordinate Respiratory Care for patients using the American Association of Respiratory Care (AARC) Guidelines, participates in patient and family teaching, and provides leadership while working in cooperation with other health care providers to ensure continued quality care to patients of all ages.

JOB DUTIES
Reports pertinent observations, changes, and reactions regarding patients to the appropriate health care worker.

Records all patient care procedures performed with overview into possible suggestions and observations in regard to respiratory care of the patient.

Records these observations, changes, and reactions accurately and concisely.

Plans, implements, and explains health teaching including medications, and procedures to patients and/or family.

Communicates with and serves as a liaison between patients, their families, and physicians.

Maintains standards of care within the guidelines of the Respiratory Therapy Department.

Demonstrates the knowledge of and implements policies and procedures of MMC and the Respiratory Therapy Department.

Transcribes physician orders legibly and accurately.

Maintains skills in the assessment, treatment, and care appropriate for the age groups and disease process of the patient based on the condition and needs.

Develops and implements individual plan of care with revisions as the patient's condition and needs change.

Demonstrates knowledge and proper dosage of Respiratory drugs.

Performs arterial punctures according to department policy.

Maintains blood gas controls, performs routine preventive maintenance and completes documentation.

Demonstrates correct procedure for set up of mechanical ventilators, both invasive and non-invasive.

Performs suctioning according to department policy.

Perform and evaluate chest percussion, incentive spirometry, acapella department protocol.

Maintains knowledge of the various methods of oxygen delivery, including necessary equipment.

Maintains knowledge of pulse oximetry, including nocturnal studies as well as apnea monitors and end tidal CO2 monitors.

Maintains knowledge of hemodynamics including Swan Ganz catheters, A-line, and pacemakers.

Demonstrates procedure of performing bedside spirometry either on floors or in Occupational Medicine.

Demonstrates proper knowledge for set up and assisting with bronchoscopy.

Provides EKG coverage when necessary.

Demonstrates cost-conscious use of supplies; maintains equipment in a clean & safe manner. Knowledgeable on the operation and maintenance of medical equipment.

Removes from service, labels with defective sticker, and reports malfunctioning equipment in accordance with MMC and department policy and procedures.

Responds to critical lab values by reporting to the appropriate healthcare worker.

Participates in the orientation of new staff/students.

Assumes personal responsibility for professional development and continuing education.


AGE/DEPARTMENT SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES

Infant/Neonate:
Demonstrates the ability to make age appropriate assessments.

Demonstrates effective communication methods when managing the infant/neonate.

Demonstrates safety measures when caring for the infant/neonate.


Pediatric:
Demonstrates the ability to make age appropriate assessments.

Demonstrates effective communication methods when managing the pediatric patient

Demonstrates safety measures when caring for pediatric patient.


Adolescent:
Demonstrates the ability the make age appropriate assessments.

Demonstrates effective communication methods when managing the adolescent patient.

Demonstrates safety measures when caring for adolescent patient.


Adult:
Demonstrates the ability to make age appropriate assessments.

Demonstrates effective communication methods when managing the adult patient.

Demonstrates safety measures when caring for the adult patient.


Geriatric:
Demonstrates the ability to make age appropriate assessments

Demonstrates effective communication methods when managing the geriatric patient.

Demonstrates safety measures when caring for the geriatric patient


SPECIFIC JOB DEMANDS

Strength:
Medium Work - Lifting, Carrying, Pushing, Pulling Lbs. occasionally, Lbs. frequently or up to 10 Lbs. constantly.

Stooping:

Occasionally - Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist, requiring full use of the lower extremities and back muscles.

Reaching:
Frequently - Extending hand(s) or arm(s) in any direction.

Handling:
Frequently - Seizing, holding, grasping, turning, or otherwise working with hand or hands.

Fingers are involved only to the extent that they are an extension of the hand, such as to turn a switch or shift automobile gears.

Fingering:

Frequently - Picking, pinching, or otherwise working primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm as in handling.

Feeling:

Frequently - Noting attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature, or texture, by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips.

Talking:

Frequently - Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word to impart oral information to clients or to the public and to convey detailed spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.

Hearing:
Frequently - Perceiving the nature of sounds by ear.

Near Acuity:
Frequently - Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less.

Accommodation:
Occasionally - Adjustment of lens of eye to bring an object into sharp focus. This factor is required when doing near point work at varying distances from the eye.

Color Vision:
Frequently - Ability to identify and distinguish colors


MINIMUM EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

Professional knowledge of respiratory therapy and practice at a level normally acquired through completion of an accredited school of Respiratory Care.

Nationally certified, registered or registry eligible.

Current state Respiratory License or having made application for license.


Communication skills necessary to effectively:
Provide instruction to the patient and or family.

Provide explanations to the patient and or family.

Explain respiratory intervention.

Communicate with physicians regarding patients receiving respiratory care.

Communicate with other members of the health care team.

Ability to concentrate, prioritize, plan, and perform professional respiratory care; resolve patient care problems; interact with patients, families, and other team members often during stressful times.

BLS required.


WORKING CONDITIONS
Normal patient care environment with little exposure to excessive noise, dust, and temperature change.

Subject to certain distasteful patient care activities; exposure to communicable diseases.

May be exposed to potential hazards such as chemical waste, body waste, fluids, and other possible infectious material.

May be scheduled overtime, weekend and or holiday hours.


DISCLOSURE

MMC commits to review, under the intent of this standard, and in coordination with medical professional opinion's and physical demands job analysis performed by certified professionals, an individual's ability to be reasonably accommodated within the role they are responsible and qualified to perform.

MMC is committed to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and providing equal opportunity employment for qualified persons with disabilities.

All employment practices and activities are conducted on a nondiscriminatory basis.

Meadville Medical Center will follow any state or local law that provides individuals with disabilities greater protection that the ADA.

Every effort has been made to make your job description as complete as possible.

However, this in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform.

The omission of specific tasks does not exclude them from the position if the task is similar, related, or is a logical assignment to the position, or is imperative for patient care and to meet emergency situations.