DescriptionnnJob SummarynnThe Respiratory Therapists (RRT or CRT) provides all modes of respiratory care and diagnostics, on physician order, within the Critical Care, General Care Medical/Surgical units, and specialty departments as required. Acts on a broad knowledge base and experience in working with physicians and other health-care providers. This is accomplished without direct supervision in most cases. The Registered Therapist may act as a resource person for other members of the department.nnShift: rotating, days/evenings/nights/weekends/holidays - 8 hrs per week or 16 hrs per pay period - Including 1 weekend or off-shift shift per month.nnEssential Job FunctionsnnPerformance of Technical PracticennProvides highly technical Respiratory Care procedures in any environment following unit specific orientationnnInitiates and maintains ventilator management for patient on life support except at Westmoreland Manor.nnPerforms arterial puncture and blood gas analysis.nnProvides cardiopulmonary resuscitation for all age groups served.nnMaintains and monitors the function of all Respiratory Care equipment in use.nnActs as a resource to other health care providers, regarding clinical issues.nnPatient CarennAssesses patients for require respiratory care services. Reassesses daily or as often as necessary.nnAdministers inhaled medications, monitors patient reaction to medication, reports response and/or adverse reaction to nurse and physician.nnProvides patient and family or care giver with education related to disease process or dysfunction, therapy ordered, medication, dosage, methods and equipment use and functions.nnParticipates in interdisciplinary care-planning process as required by various nursing or patient care units, and in discharge planning process as needed.nnClinical decision-Making:nnAssimilates large quantities of data while caring for critically ill patients.nnModifies and directs respiratory care procedures and diagnostics, based on acquired data and patient clinical findings.nnAssists with the coordination of patient care relating to cardiopulmonary dysfunction, in co-operation with the physician, nurse, and other health care providers.nnPolicy and ProcedurennUnderstands department policy and procedure to assure compliance with same.nnAvoids deviation from policy and/or procedure preventing the potential for adverse effect either on an employee, patient or visitor.nnReviews departmental policy and procedure on an annual basis and make recommendations for appropriate changes.nnCommunicationnnProvides clear, concise, organized written and oral communication to management and staff.nnInteracts effectively with physicians, patients, management and co-workers.nnDocuments in a neat, timely and legible fashion as appropriate.nnDocuments in EMR per department guidelines.nnServes as a liaison and positive role model to other departments.nnCommunicates directly with physician regarding patient respiratory status, recommendations for therapy, and diagnostic testing.nnTakes and transcribes verbal and telephone orders from physicians.nnMaintain supply and inventory in assigned areas.nnNotifies appropriate personnel of stock depletion as it occurs.nnKeeps department and other areas of responsibility clean and orderly.nnOther duties as assigned.nnSpecialty FunctionsnnInformation ProcessingnnTranscribes and carries out orders correctly.nnUtilizes all applicable information systems appropriately.nnCharges equipment, supplies and services accurately.nnQuality Assessment and ImprovementnnDemonstrates ongoing awareness and participation in quality improvement program.nnResponds with improved performance to results obtained from QA monitors.nnIdentifies problems and reports to manager when appropriate.nnLocates and uses reference manualsnnMaintains a working knowledge of department and system policy and procedure.nnLocates and uses department and system protocols, procedures, and policy manuals such as infection control, MSDS, OSHA, and on line policy manuals.nnPerforms specialized procedures, tasks, and functions. These may vary between entities and not all RCPs will perform these functions. Specialized orientation/training will be provided to RCPs performing the following tasks.nnPerforms therapeutic and diagnostic bronchoscopy procedures.nnCompletes blood gas and electrolyte analysis.nnPerforms all required diagnostic pulmonary function testing.nnCompletes pulmonary stress and metabolic testing.nnFunctions as a member of the Rapid Response team.nnParticipates as an integral member of emergency resuscitation teams serving all age groups.nnPerforms EKG's.nnPerforms Intravenous Catheter Insertion and Phlebotomy on Patients.nnRequired QualificationsnnCompletion of an accredited Respiratory Therapy ProgramnnGraduate of JRCRTE/CoARC accredited respiratory care program with minimum of three (3) to six (6) months of clinical rotations.nnStrong leadership ability, good organizational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, sound judgment.nnStrong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.nnMedical TerminologynnBasic Math and Keyboard ProficiencynnFunctional Skills on PC and Related Software (Microsoft Office)nnKnowledge of basic Office Equipment such as copier, fax machine, etc.nnStrong time management; ability to work independently and in a team setting; creativity in treatment in various settings including inpatient, skilled nursing and outpatient clinics; ability to transition smoothly between various treatment settings; flexibility in scheduling.nnAbility to communicate with all members of the health care team.nnAbility to multi-task and prioritize assignments.nnPreferred QualificationsnnCritical Care ExperiencennACLSnnExperience in Pulmonary Function testing, bronchoscopies, blood gas analysis, and neonatal mechanical ventilation.nnNeonatal resuscitation course.nnPALSnnFor a long-term care facility, one (1) -two (2) years prior experience in a long-term care facility.nnLicense, Certification & ClearancesnnCurrent licensure to practice in the State of PennsylvaniannCurrent Basic Life Support (BLS) approved curriculum of the American Heart Association (CPR and AED) program.nnAct 33 with renewalnnAct 34 with renewalnnAct 73 FBI ClearancennSupervisory ResponsibilitiesnnThis position has no direct supervisory responsibilities, but does serve as a coach and mentor for other positions in the department.nnPosition Type/Expected Hours of WorknnIncumbent will be scheduled based on operational need (rotate shifts, standby, on-call, etc.).nnTravel may be expected locally between Independence Health System locations.nnAAP/EEOnnIndependence Health System is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of Independence Health System to prohibit discrimination of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, non-job related disability, veteran status, or genetic information, or any other protected class. Independence Health System will conform to the spirit as well as the letter of all applicable laws and regulations.nnAbility to perform the Essential Functions listed on the Physical Conditions and ability to perform the Essential Functions on the Working Condition chart below.nnWork EnvironmentnnEffective March 2020 or during pandemic: goggles, face shield and mask are required according to CDC guidelinesnnWhen lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.nnEssential – Absolute Necessity.nnMarginal – Minimal Necessity.nnConstantly – 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps/shift.nnFrequently – 2.5 to 5.5 hours or more or 32-200 reps/shift.nnOccasionally – 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2-32 reps/shift.nnRarely – Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps/shift.nnPhysical ConditionnnEssentialnnMarginalnnConstantlynnFrequentlynnOccasionallynnRarelynnNevernnExtreme HeatnnExtreme ColdnnHeightsnnConfined SpacesnnExtreme Noise(>85dB)nnMechanical HazardsnnUse of Vibrating ToolsnnOperates Vehicle (company)nnOperates Heavy EquipmentnnUse of Lifting/Transfer DevicesnnRotates All Shiftsnn8 Hours Shiftsnn10-12 Hours ShiftsnnOn-CallnnOvertime(+8/hrs/shift; 40/hr/wk)nnTravel Between SitesnnDirect Patient CarennRespirator Protective EquipmentnnEye ProtectionnnHead Protection (hard hat)nnHearing ProtectionnnHand ProtectionnnFeet, Toe ProtectionnnBody ProtectionnnLatex ExposurennSolvent ExposurennPaint (direct use) ExposurennDust (sanding) ExposurennEthylene Oxide ExposurennCytotoxic (Chemo) ExposurennBlood/Body Fluid ExposurennChemicals (direct use) ExposurennMist ExposurennWax Stripper (direct use)nnNon-Ionizing Radiation ExposurennIonizing Radiation ExposurennLaser ExposurennPhysical DemandsnnWhen lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.nnEssential – Absolute Necessity.nnMarginal – Minimal Necessity.nnConstantly – 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps/shift.nnFrequently – 2.5 to 5.5 hours or more or 32-200 reps/shift.nnOccasionally – 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2-32 reps/shift.nnRarely – Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps/shift.nnPhysical ConditionnnEssentialnnMarginalnnConstantlynnFrequentlynnOccasionallynnRarelynnNevernnBending (Stooping)nnSittingnnWalkingnnClimbing StairsnnClimbing LaddersnnStandingnnKneelingnnSquatting (Crouching)nnTwisting/TurningnnKeyboard/Computer OperationnnGross GraspnnFine Finger ManipulationnnHand/Arm CoordinationnnPushing/Pulling(lbs. of force)nnCarrynnTransfer/Push/Pull PatientsnnSeeing Near w/AcuitynnFeeling (Sensation)nnColor VisionnnHearing ClearlynnPulling/Pushing Objects OverheadnnReaching Above Shoulder LevelnnReaching ForwardnnLifting Floor to Knucklenn###nnLifting Seat Pan to Knucklenn###nnLifting Knuckle to Shouldernn###nnLifting Shoulder to Overheadnn###nnWhen lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.