Senior Respiratory Therapist

Reports to the Clinical Manager of Pulmonary Services. Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRT), evaluate, treat and care for patients with breathing or other cardiopulmonary disorders. Practicing under the direction of a physician and using professional assessment of the patient's condition, provide basic and advanced respiratory services assuming primary responsibility for all respiratory care therapeutic treatments, diagnostic procedures and critical care. This includes administering various types of respiratory care to provide respiratory support and maintenance to inpatients and outpatients, medication administration, arterial puncture and analysis, breathing exercises, initiation and monitoring of oxygen and carbon dioxide, mechanical ventilation, endotracheal intubation, airway care, attendance at emergent events like codes, trauma, rapid assessment, or deliveries. Patient population includes neonatal, newborn, pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric. MISSION, VALUES and SERVICE GOALS

• MISSION: We deliver outstanding care, inspire health, and connect with heart.
• VALUES: Trust. Respect. Integrity. Compassion.
• SERVICE GOALS: Personally connect. Keep everyone informed. Be on their team.

Ensures proper administration of a variety of respiratory treatments by performing all functions of a Staff Respiratory Therapist:

• Adhering to the physician's orders and use of established Respiratory Care Protocols.
• Effectively completing and analyzing diagnostic tests and results.
• Determining the most suitable method of administering inhalants, precautions to be observed and modifications necessary to provide respiratory care to patients.
• Establishing priorities for patient care/job activities based on acuity of need.
• Explaining treatment and breathing procedures to patients to allay fears and anxieties and to elicit cooperation during therapy.
• Setting up, attaching to patient, operating and monitoring various types of respiratory equipment such as: long-term ventilators, CPAP/BiPAP, and oxygen devices.
• Documenting patient treatment activities and results.
• Maintaining Respiratory Therapy equipment; assembly, testing, cleaning and sterilizing.

Performs the functions of a Senior Respiratory therapist by:

• Demonstrating proficiency in Adult, Pediatric, and/or Neonatal critical care equipment and procedures.
• Maintains intubations and advanced airway management proficiency.
• Maintains transport competency.
• Maintains bedside bronchoscopy competency (ICU).
• Maintains delivery competency (NICU).
• Collaborate and communicate with physicians, and other associates to optimize patient care, including participation in daily rounds where applicable.
• Maintains advanced certifications for appropriate critical care area- NRP for NICU, PALS for PICU, and ACLS for ICU.

Meets Pulmonary Services Department education requirements by:

• Precepting orientees, students and other Pulmonary Services team members as requested.
• Willingly share educational information to other associates and students as needed to support their professional development.
• Completing all competencies, CBL's and skill validations as scheduled for each area.
• Attending department professional development lectures as applicable to work area.
• Meeting all hospital, regulatory and other requirements for hospital and department training, testing and validation within timeline established.

Performs other functions to maintain personal competence and contribute to the overall effectiveness of the department by:

• Consistently documenting in a complete and accurate manner all patient care procedures, protocols and education in the Electronic Medical Record.
• Ensuring that all procedures performed are charged appropriately prior to leaving at the end of the shift, including daily charges.
• Attending department meetings either live or by calling in 75% of time.
• Maintaining professional affiliations and keeping current with professional literature and journals.

Reading and being accountable for hospital communications such as minutes, memos, emails, and newsletters Education and Experience

The knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated below are normally acquired through the successful completion of an Associate's Degree in Respiratory Therapy or equivalent education. Requires valid Indiana License as a Respiratory Care Practitioner. Must be a Registered Respiratory Therapist through the National Board of Respiratory Care (NRBC). Preferred membership in the professional organization American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC). A minimum of three years of critical care experience is required to move to the Senior Respiratory Therapist position, all new hires will start as a Respiratory Therapist and will have their skill level assessed during the first ninety (90) days of employment. Based on skills validation, applicant may be promoted to Senior Respiratory Therapist and the appropriate pay adjustment will be made.

Knowledge & Skills

• Requires well-developed knowledge of application and effects of respiratory therapy techniques and procedures.
• Demonstrates interpersonal skills necessary for effective communication with patients, families, physicians, and associates.
• Requires ability to establish and maintain effect working relationships with all caregivers.
• Requires analytical skills necessary to determine appropriate methods of therapy based upon observation of patient and diagnostic reports to solve complex patient problems.
• Requires ability to handle a multitude of tasks in a fast paced environment.
• Requires ability to handle emergency situations in a calm, professional manner.
• Demonstrates self-motivation by using available work time wisely.
• Requires an in-depth knowledge of advanced respiratory critical care including patient assessment, emergency procedures, theory and function of all equipment used in the critical care setting, and monitorin