Respiratory Care Practitioner II - Respiratory Care Services - Full Time/Nights - REQ# 2117969196 at Antelope Valley Medical Center

Brief Description

Job Objective

Work under the management of the Director of Respiratory Therapy Services and the direction of the assigned Respiratory Therapy Supervisor. A Respiratory Therapist II displays knowledge and ability in providing respiratory care which exceeds that of a Respiratory Therapist I. A Respiratory Therapist II is trained and qualified to work in NICU and is able to function in ICU or ER.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintains high standards of customer service
• Uses Handheld Nebulizer
• Uses Metered Dose Inhaler
• Competent with Continuous Nebulization
• Can use IPPB
• Able to identify different breath sounds, their meaning and recognize changes Recognizes accessory muscle use
• Uses Peak Flow Meter to assess efficacy of treatments
• Performs Bedside Pulmonary Function Tests Performs
• Bedside Pulmonary Function Tests
• Expert in standard 02 delivery devices, their uses and liter flow requirements
• Able to use and set up both heated and cool aerosol therapy
• Able to use and set up High-Flow Nasal cannula
• Understands danger of 02 misuse, especially for CO2 retainers and neonates
• Manages Ventilators on intubated patients
• Obtains Arterial Blood Gases (ABGs) or Capillary Blood Gases (CBGs) and recommends a course of action based on their results
• Competent in use of the High Frequency Jet Ventilator
• Places and manages non-invasive ventilation on patients
• Assists with intubations
• Performs intubations
• Administers surfactant in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit as appropriate
• Attends C-Sections to establish care of the newborn
• Responds to all Code Blues
• Responds to infant deliveries in high-risk situations, including meconium
• Is competent in bag and mask or bag and ET tube ventilation
• Able to work under extreme pressure and stress
• Therapist must document therapies and evaluations completely and accurately in the patient record whether manually or electronically
• Therapist must be responsible for assuring all actions are reflected in the daily billing by end of shift
• Therapist must ensure all scheduled therapies are entered into the computer accurately
• Must be able to communicate well with other members of the health care team, including doctors, nurses and other therapists

Non-Essential Duties

• Assists the Director of Respiratory Services and Supervisors or designee in completing alternate job duties as instructed
• Maintains a professional behavior
• Always represents Antelope Valley Hospital and the Respiratory Therapy Department in a positive manner

Knowledge

• Thorough knowledge of Pulmonary Disease states, their signs, symptoms and treatments
• Knowledge of and ability to use a wide variety of ventilation strategies to treat patients
• Knowledge of current practice in the care of Geriatrics, Pediatrics and Neonates
• Knowledge of medications used in Respiratory Therapy, their methods of administration, dosages, diseases treated, effects and adverse effects
• Knowledge of pulmonary development in infants and newborns
• Knowledge of pulmonary anatomy in adults and the effects of disease on the pulmonary anatomy
• Demonstrates knowledge regarding the special needs, interests and behaviors of age specific groups
• Demonstrates knowledge regarding the special needs, interests, and behaviors of patients requiring critical or specialized care

Skills

• Skill at drawing ABGs and CBGs
• Skill in intubation of infants and neonates
• Demonstrated good communication skills
• Good organizational skills

Abilities

• Ability to accurately interpret results of ABGs and CBGs and initiate corrective action
• Ability to assemble, test, and place into use all respiratory therapy equipment used at AVH
• Ability to think and act quickly in high-pressure situations
• Ability to work in a sterile environment

Core Competencies: All AVH employees will effectively demonstrate these behaviors:

• Accountability
• Action Oriented
• Customer Focused
• Compassion
• Effective Communication
• Teamwork
• Ethics & Values
• Integrity & Trust

Education and Experience

Education

• Graduate from school accredited for the education of Respiratory Care Practitioners and recognized by the state of California or the state of the school's location
• High School diploma or GED equivalent

Experience

• Demonstrated skill and experience warranting success in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Required Licensure and/or Certifications

• Must be licensed with the State of California as a Respiratory Care Practitioner
• Credentialed with the National Board of Respiratory Care as a Registered Respiratory Therapist. (RRT) If not already registered, staff will have three (3) years to obtain this credential. Neonatal Pediatric Specialist (NPS) credential may be substituted
• Current NRP certification
• Current BCLS Certification
• Current PALS Certification

AVH Conduct/Compliance Expectations

• Ability to adhere with AVH Absenteeism and Tardiness Policy
• Ability to adhere with AVH Leaves of Absence Policy
• Ability to adhere with AVH Paid Time Off (PTO) Policy
• Ability to adhere with AVH Recording of Hours Worked Policy
• Ability to adhere to the department dress code
• Ability to organize work and establish priorities
• Ability to expand on own initiative in performance of duties
• Skill and ability to follow the telephone etiquette/standards
• Conforms to AVH Standards of Excellence
• Ability to function effectively under pressure and meet time parameters
• Ability to communicate effectively while maintaining good working relationships with co-workers, managers and other hospital staff
• Ability to adhere to the normal standards of courtesy and conduct as defined under the rules of hospitality at AVH
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of patient, hospital and department information
• Ability to adhere to safety rules and regulations
• Safely and effectively uses all equipment necessary to carry out duties
• Ability to interpret and function under hospital and department policies and procedures
• Conforms with required and appropriate JCAHO requirements
• Conforms with and supports hospital quality assurance and improvement guidelines
• Ability to participate effectively in department and hospital staff education
• Display a willingness to work as a team player
• Ability to give and support the highest level of patient/customer satisfaction at all times
• Supports and adheres to the values and mission statement established by the AVH Board of Directors
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the Compliance & Integrity Program and its requirements; complies with duty to report behavior standard; demonstrates understanding of purpose for a Compliance hotline and the importance of seeking guidance from a supervisor or the Compliance Officer when in doubt regarding a possible compliance issue
• Ability to follow the Code of Business Conduct (Standards of Business Ethics and Integrity)

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Frequently moving large ventilators on wheels, which weigh up to 150 pounds, throughout the hospital
• Moving tents and cylinders throughout the hospital
• Working in small or crowded rooms
• Working in all areas of the hospital
• Walking, stairs, out of doors in all weather conditions
• Frequently Lifting/Carrying 25-50 pounds and pushing/pulling 36-50 pounds throughout shift
• Able to use Personal Protection Equipment
• Potential exposure to patient blood or body fluids

A detailed description of the physical requirements of this job is maintained in the Employee Health Department.

NOTE: THE ABOVE STATEMENTS ARE INTENDED TO DESCRIBE THE GENERAL NATURE AND LEVEL OF WORK PERFORMED BY PEOPLE ASSIGNED TO THIS JOB. THIS DOCUMENT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF ALL RESPONSIBILITIES, SKILLS, AND WORKING CONDITIONS FOR THE PERSONNEL SO CLASSIFIED.

Requirements

Education and Experience

Education

• Graduate from school accredited for the education of Respiratory Care Practitioners and recognized by the state of California or the state of the school's location
• High School diploma or GED equivalent

Experience

• Demonstrated skill and experience warranting success in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Required Licensure and/or Certifications

• Must be licensed with the State of California as a Respiratory Care Practitioner
• Credentialed with the National Board of Respiratory Care as a Registered Respiratory Therapist. (RRT) If not already registered, staff will have three (3) years to obtain this credential. Neonatal Pediatric Specialist (NPS) credential may be substituted
• Current NRP certification
• Current BCLS Certification
• Current PALS Certification