DescriptionJob Objective: Under the direction of the Director of Respiratory Care and Respiratory Care Supervisor, with considerable latitude for independent judgment and initiative, performs administrative assignments and supervises day-to-day activities of Respiratory Care Practitioners. Provides skilled respiratory care according to the individual patient's needs and is trained and qualified to function in ICU or ER, preferably trained and qualified to work in NICU.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Lead I Responsibilities -
- Lead Responsibilities
- Assign workloads and workflow during shift
- Assigns work schedules and explains duties
- Oversee therapist performance and serve as a clinical resource and trouble shooter
- Responsible for training personnel within the assigned area of Respiratory Care
- Function as a real-time resource to help assure optimal staff performance and that daily clinical operations are functioning appropriately
- Handles immediate clinical/therapist issues with physicians, nursing, patients or visitors
- Provides routine bronchodilator therapy and patient assessment:
- Uses Handheld Nebulizer
- Uses Metered Dose Inhaler
- Competence 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
- Provides oxygen therapy:
- 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
- Provides Critical Care:
- 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
- Places and manages non-invasive ventilation on patients
- Assists with intubations
- Provides Emergency Care.
- Responds to all Code Blues
- Is competent in bag and mask or bag and ET tube ventilation
- Able to work under extreme pressure and stress
- Documents and communicates well
- 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
Lead II Responsibilities - In addition to all Lead I responsibilities, the Lead II is also responsible for the following:
- Preparing and balancing department schedules in accordance with union contract guidelines
- Under the direction of the department leadership team, assist with administrative duties related to the operational management of the department
Non-Essential Duties:
- Assists in completing alternate job duties as instructed.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
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
- 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 AVMC.
- Ability to think and act quickly in high-pressure situations
- Ability to work in a sterile environment.
Education and Experience:
Education
- Graduated 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
- 5-year experience as Respiratory Care Practitioner I and/or II
- 2-year experience as Respiratory Care Practitioner Lead
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 Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) and/or Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).
- Current NRP certification (optional)
- Current PALS certification through the American Heart Association
- Current BCLS certification through the American Heart Association
