Respiratory Therapist II - Per Diem - Cardiopulmonary Services

Position : Per Diem Respiratory Therapist II - Shift

Kern Medical strives to recruit the highest quality candidates, resulting in a high-performance workforce that consistently delivers quality patient care.

• Per Diem employees supplement department staffing needs, with no guarantee of minimum hours.
• Per Diem minimum scheduling expectation is four (4) shifts per four-week schedule.
• This position will work the PM shift, with hours from 6:00 PM to 6:30 AM.

Definition:

Under direction and general medical supervision, administers respiratory therapy to patients, prepares respiratory therapy treatment programs for patients, performs complex respiratory treatments, electrocardiography testing and cardiopulmonary services, performs medical diagnostic procedures and other medical technical instrumentation to patients at Kern Medical Center and at assigned health care locations that may include skilled nursing facilities, home care, clinics and physician offices.

Compensation:

The estimated pay for this position ranges from $30.6932 to $37.7488 per hour. Additional compensation may be available for this role through differentials, incentives, and bonuses.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

This is the journey level in the Respiratory Therapy flexible classification series. The Respiratory Therapist II is more fully trained and experienced, with work being distinguished by increased consultation with physicians, increased training responsibilities and the use of more complex treatment techniques. This level may be assigned off-site to perform duties that are consistent within this classification. This level works under supervision and carries out routine medical technical therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.

Promotion to the next level is considered on a merit basis, subject to the satisfactory completion of the competencies required of Respiratory Therapist II recommendation of the department manager and the Hospital Chief Executive Officer and approval of the Director of Personnel.

Essential Functions:

• Administers IPPB therapy.
• Performs humidity and aerosol therapy.
• Administers medical gas and pulmonary drainage procedures.
• Performs cardiorespiratory resuscitation, electrocardiography testing, and related procedures.
• Administers aerosolized drugs.
• Provides continuous mechanical ventilation; maintains artificial airways.
• Performs more complex pulmonary function testing.
• Cleans and prepares equipment; performs routine mechanical maintenance on respiratory therapy equipment.
• Makes periodic and emergency checks on respiratory therapy equipment installations.
• Operates analyzers to determine saturation of oxygen and other gases in the blood.
• Implements infection control and demonstrates knowledge of aseptic techniques.
• Responds to emergency calls throughout the hospital.
• Documents care given; maintains records of treatment given; generates necessary documents for charges or record keeping.
• Dependent upon area of practice or department assignments, demonstrates clinical knowledge and skill in the care of the newborn, infant, toddler, child, adolescent, adult and geriatric patient.

Other Functions :

• Assists with maintenance and processing of equipment and products used in providing cardiopulmonary services.
• Performs arterial blood gas sampling.
• Assists with bronchoscopies.
• Participates in training and supervision of new employees; assists in the instruction of nursing personnel in surveillance of patient and equipment after initial installation.
• Performs intubation of the patient.
• Under direction, may be responsible for the operation of the department.
• Performs EEG, EKG, Pulmonary Function and Echocardiogram tests, records results and related duties as required.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Employment Standards:

Appointees not possessing the American Heart Association Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) card at time of hire must successfully complete appropriate training and qualify for the RQI Provider certification within 60 days of employment. As a continued condition of employment, employee must maintain RQI Provider certification and competency.

Registration And Or Certification :

Eligible for registration with the National Board for Respiratory Care as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).

OR

Certified by the National Board for Respiratory Care as a Certified Respiratory Therapy Technician (CRTT).

Licensure:

Possession of a valid, current license as a Respiratory Care Practitioner issued by the State of California.

Possession of a Class C California Driver’s License may be required by assignment to off-site locations.

Depending on assignment incumbents may be required to possess and maintain specific certificates of competency as a condition of employment.

Knowledge of :

Operating principles of commonly used types of ventilators and respiratory care equipment, including intermittent positive pressure breathing apparatus, nebulizers, humidifiers and oxygen analyzers; cardiopulmonary physiology, electrocardiography testing and related equipment used in testing and diagnostic studies, the chemistry of gases in respiratory therapy and the symptoms common to patients suffering respiratory ailments.

Ability to :

Perform a variety of skilled respiratory therapy treatments, cardiopulmonary services, electrocardiography testing and related procedures; explain and teach others the fundamentals of respiratory therapy, the use of respiratory equipment and how to adjust the equipment to individual patient needs; learn to conduct diagnostic tests such as EEG, EKG, Pulmonary Function and Echocardiograms; understand hospital routine and organization; work with medical staff and patients.

Supplemental:

A background check may be conducted for this classification.

All Kern County employees are designated "Disaster Service Workers" through state and local laws (CA Government Code Sec.3100-3109 and Ordinance Code Title 2-Administration, Ch. 2.66 Emergency Services). As Disaster Service Workers, all County employees are expected to remain at work, or to report for work as soon as practicable, following a significant emergency or disaster.

If position responsibilities require driving a personal vehicle, then possession of a current valid California Driver’s License and adherence to the Kern County Hospital Authority Vehicle Use and Driving Standard Policy (ENG-EC-119) is required.

If position responsibilities require driving a vehicle owned, leased or rented by Kern Medical, then possession of a current valid California Driver’s license, a signed authorization for Release of Drivers Record Information and adherence to the Kern County Hospital Authority Vehicle Use and Driving Standard Policy (ENG-EC-119) is required.