POSITION SUMMARY:

A licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner is responsible for the performance of diagnostic testing and the administration of prescribed respiratory therapy procedures and medications and related life support measures to patients with deficiencies, abnormalities, and diseases of the cardiopulmonary system. The Respiratory Care Practitioner assesses patient condition, reviews medical history, and documents patient progress and response to treatment according to hospital department and accrediting organizations standards. The Respiratory Care Practitioner is aware of and applies research-based current clinical practices for patient care. Contacts physician regarding patient status, to clarify orders, makes recommendations for therapy, and recognizes when contraindications are present. The Respiratory Care Practitioner, in collaboration with other licensed caregivers, helps to maintain the interdisciplinary plan of care based on patient and family response.

POSITION DUTIES:

Level 1 � Minimal Competencies (meets Competency Based Skills Checklist Assessment)
Perform diagnostic testing and the administration of prescribed respiratory therapy.
Perform SVN Therapy and MDI Therapy on intubated and non-intubated patients.
Performs Incentive Spirometry and documentation per facilities guidelines.
Perform chest physiotherapy -by manual or mechanical means.
Performs sputum induction and appropriate documentation.
Perform arterial puncture and arterial line draws
Perform arterial blood gas and co-oximetry analysis per facility including critical value result notification.
Perform bedside Pulmonary Function screening pre and post bronchodilator with review of study data, and document appropriately.
Administer routinely prescribed inhaled medications and substitutions. Clarify pharmacy orders. Complete Med. Admin. Record- MAR sign off as appropriate per facility.
Initiate and maintain Non-invasive Ventilation per physician order with appropriate documentation.
Initiate and maintain mechanical ventilation per physician orders with appropriate documentation.
Initiate and maintain transport ventilators, with appropriate documentation
Perform daily maintenance and quality assurance measures as appropriate per facility specifications
Maintenance, stocking and cleaning of all appropriate respiratory care supplies and equipment and storage areas.
Performs nasal / oral tracheal suction and uses, operates, and maintains closed suction systems.
Understands medical gas systems and zone valve locations within the facility.
Follows all infection control standards for patient care and equipment processing.
Adheres to established bundle protocols VAP, Pressure ulcers, universal protocols, and other protocols as identified.
Performs appropriate weaning parameters and VC, NIF, Vt f/Vt with appropriate documentation
Familiar with code cart locations, code cart supplies and defibrillator use / operation.
Understands Oxygen therapy and provides appropriate oxygen and continuous aerosol therapy per facility
Responds to all emergency situations, Code arrests, Rapid Response calls and documents appropriately.
Provides rescue breathing via bag/mask/valve or pocket mask.
Understands appropriate medication labeling and storage of medication (locations).
Assist with other assigned or daily department responsibilities.
Understands the Incident command system (HEICS).
Cleans, sets up and safety checks ventilators and BiPAP/CPAP units and other equipment as indicated.
Performs all necessary department paperwork such as badger exception log, daily assignment log, work schedules, and therapist worksheets.

Level 2 � Advanced level competencies/Duties. (in addition to above duties)
Coordinates the departmental paperwork such as badger exception log. Performs Kronos reports, daily assignment log, work schedule, and therapist worksheets.
May participate in performance assessment and improvement process.
Maintain Blood Gas & Co-ox log book and oversee completion of Blood Gas report, Co-oximetry and PFT Screening reports.
Understands medical gas systems, zone valve locations, and performs back-feeding procedures for the facility when indicated.
Trains and acts as a resource for respiratory department staff.
Recognize problems and suggest strategies to correct situations that may compromise clinical services.
Assists with bronchoscopies per facility guidelines with appropriate cleaning and documentation.
May serve as Charge Therapist.
Contribute to the enhancement of programs and services.
Performs other airway management skills per competency validation process.
Performs arterial line placement, evaluation and monitoring per competency validation process.
Performs venous line or other peripherally inserted lines per competency validation process.
Performs other airway management procedures as approved by the facility per competency validation process.
Performs other procedures and or duties assigned within scope of practice and licensure requirements.

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Education
Required: Associate of Science in Respiratory Therapy
** RCP associates hired prior to 03/01/11 not meeting this requirement have been grandfathered and the Associates Degree is not required.
Preferred: Bachelor of Science in related field

Licensure
Required: Respiratory Care Practitioner for Arizona

Certificates
Required: Registered Respiratory Therapist or Registry eligible; BLS
CHVI Specific: PALS, ACLS within 6 months of hire and every two years
Preferred: Registered Respiratory Therapist; Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Life Support; or Newborn Resuscitation

Experience
Required: Clinical experience that includes adult, pediatric and infant general med-surg and critical care therapeutics and diagnostics.
Preferred: One year recent experience in an acute care hospital

Skills
Required: Basic Computer Skills; Verbal and written communication skills. Be proficient in all phases of care delivery for basic and advanced respiratory care practices, both invasive and non-invasive.
Preferred: Electronic documentation experience. Able to perform complete PFTs and Bronchoscopy procedures.

Knowledge
Required: Respiratory Care Practice Act; Familiar with the scientific process as it relates to Respiratory Care Practice.
Preferred: Familiar with the performance improvement process.

Technology
Required: Proficient in use of technology related to therapeutics and diagnostics for general med-surg and critical care. This includes ventilators, monitors, gas analyzers, co-oximeters, pulmonary function screeners.
Preferred: Proficient with complete pulmonary function analyzers, fiberoptic bronchoscopes and special care nursery procedures and equipment.

Other
Required: Must be able to work flexible schedules to accommodate the needs of the department/facility which includes holidays and weekends.

Employment practices will not be influenced or affected by an applicant�s or employee�s race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status or any other legally protected status. Tenet will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities unless doing so would result in an undue hardship.