Respiratory Care Practitioner - Neonatal /Pediatric position

• Achieves and maintains advanced level clinical skills necessary to care for critical patients.
• Demonstrates knowledge of monitoring equipment and proper interpretation of data including end tidal monitors and pulmonary mechanics.
• Demonstrates ability to perform all modalities of respiratory therapeutic treatments and medications adhering to department policies and procedure.
• As per site specific requirements, demonstrates ability to perform accurate diagnostic procedures which may include: 12 lead ECG’s, holter monitoring, event recorders, exercise stress testing, bedside spirometry, PFT’s.
• Demonstrates knowledge of equipment, setup, function and ability to trouble shoot effectively.
• Demonstrates ability to perform safely and with proper technique arterial blood sampling from puncture, arterial line, and umbilical line, as appropriate.
• Demonstrates knowledge and function of Whole Blood Analyzers. Able to trouble-shoot equipment, using appropriate resources effectively. Performs and interprets QC data.
• Demonstrates proper airway management techniques and assessment ensuring a patent airway
• Demonstrates ability to effectively set up, operate and demonstrate clinical assessment and application in use of mechanical ventilation.
• Demonstrates ability to safely administer specialty gases (iNO, Heliox, nitrogen mixtures) to mechanically ventilated & non-ventilated patients.
• Assessment skills are kept current and are utilized with accuracy and efficiency for all age groups, including neonate, pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatrics.

• Performs cardiopulmonary procedures using the knowledge, skills and abilities required for the age of patients (neonate, pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric) served. Goals of the department are attained utilizing a clearly established daily plan of treatments, procedures, clean up and maintenance with cooperation through all shifts regardless of assignments or job title.
• Completes and plans workload in an efficient, accurate and timely manner.
• Flexible and adaptable in staffing and workload distribution.
• Offers assistance to co-workers.
• Collaborates with health team members using appropriate resources (skill, knowledge, equipment and standards) to achieve positive outcomes.
• Demonstrates thoroughness, anticipation of need, motivation and dedication in accomplishing job expectations, which build confidence in co-workers, patients and management.
• Performs tasks as assigned by management.
• Actively participates in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities by integrating CQI action plans into daily routine, participating in problem identification, data collection, data evaluation and process improvement plans.

• Complete, accurate and timely information is gathered and documented in the department and patient records. Accurate charges and record keeping is done to ensure proper billing.
• Identifies patient by checking patient's I.D., full name and medical record number according to department procedure.
• Reviews patient chart and orders to ensure correct procedures.
• Logs procedures and charges work completed.
• Follows department and hospital procedures and policies.
• Charts and documents all work done in the appropriate place.
• Participates in concurrent data collection for Quality Planning and Monitoring.
• Accurate spelling is maintained with legible penmanship in all areas.
• Kardexes are kept current with new starts, discharges and transfers.
• Charges are complete and accurate on each patient’s daily activity department record to assure correct patient billing.

• Verbal and non-verbal age-appropriate communications (neonate, pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric) are open and positive with peers, supervisors, physicians, patients and all outside customers, under stressful and non-stressful circumstances. Patients and co-workers confidentiality is maintained.
• Communicates and uses knowledge of related anatomy and physiology to ensure appropriate and effective care is delivered to neonate, pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric patients.
• Maintains awareness of patients’ status and takes appropriate actions to meet their needs.
• Implements Patients’ Bill of Rights by acting as a patient advocate, providing patient privacy, respecting confidentiality and using discretion when discussing patient information.
• Keeps the Manager informed regarding volume fluctuations.
• Provides constructive feedback regarding departmental issues and standards when requested.
• Consistently demonstrates effective and appropriate communications.
• Communicates accurate, pertinent and thorough patient information during shift-to-shift coverage.
• Maintains open and honest communication with co-workers, manager and health care team.

• Clinic environment, equipment, and personal workspace are maintained in a neat and safe manner. Annual safety and other hospital wide educational requirements are met in a timely fashion and clearly documented.
• Practices universal and blood and body fluid precautions, and sterile practices according to procedures.
• Maintains a clean, organized and safe environment.
• Checks equipment for disrepair.
• Reports, removes and labels malfunctioning equipment.
• Attends all hospital and JCAHO required inservices.
• Performs job requirements while maintaining awareness and control of noise levels for co-workers and patients.
• Demonstrates proper body mechanics to protect self and patient; uses sufficient help when task exceeds personal capabilities.
• Provides for patient safety by recognition of subtle changes and initiating appropriate interventions, i.e., restraining, positioning, patient education, taking special precautions and notifying nurse and/or physician when appropriate.
• Notifies physician immediately of drug interaction or error. Completes all paperwork for medication error or reaction. Monitors and reports on patient condition to nurse or physician.
• Follows all hospital and department policies and procedures.

• Professional education is advanced through regular participation in internal/external education opportunities in both broad and discipline-specific topics. Completes annual competencies and keeps accurate files in personal portfolio.
• Takes personal initiative to maintain current in education (journals, books, inservices, seminars, etc.) in all specialty areas assigned.
• Participates in presenting professional information to colleagues and/or the community.
• Takes on special responsibilities such as equipment evaluation or department education.
• Attends 80% of department meetings.
• Participates in self-development and educational process.
• Fulfills annual education/validation/credentialing or licensure requirements.
• Develops/implements plan for meeting own learning needs.
• Maintains competency in ABG sampling skills.
• Demonstrates competency in EKG tracing skills.
• Maintains own competency/development records.
• Completes all annual department competencies.
• Assists in orientation of new staff and students.

• The Respiratory Care Practitioner has a basic knowledge of related special procedures.
• Has an understanding of what the following special procedures are for:
• Bronchoscopy
• Pulmonary Function Testing
• Holter and Cardiac Event Testing
• Cardiac Testing, including Thallium Scans, signal Average ECG, transesophageol Echocardiograms, Stress Echocardiograms and Cardiac Drug Stress Testing
• Electroencephalograms
• Sleep Studies
• Able to schedule special procedures appropriately and accurately, giving all pertinent information to the patient (or knows where and how to find the information)
• Communicates effectively with all physicians, physician’s office staff and other departments involved in special procedures.

• Associate degree in Respiratory Therapy from a program accredited by the Committee On Accreditation for Respiratory Care (COARC) or accredited by the American Medical Association’s Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation (CAHEA).

• One-year experience preferred.
• Basic familiarity wth computers preferred.

• Current applicable state Respiratory Care Practitioner/RT (RCPRT) license required.
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) advanced practitioner credential by the NBRC preferred.
• Current BLS for Provider from the American Heart Association required.
• ACLS and/or PALS from the American Heart Association required within one year.
• NRP required within one year.

Legacy Health