Registered Respiratory Care Practitioner (AHCL)

Adventist Health•Clearlake, CA

About The Position

Performs basic and critical respiratory care services. Has the ability to work well without supervision as well as maintain supervision over others, as delegated. Provides respiratory care services for the adult and geriatric patient. Provides respiratory care for patients with respiratory disease, as ordered by the physician and in accordance with current department policies concerning all phases of respiratory therapy. Completes paperwork, electronic medical records, flow sheets, and charges for each patient. This position is represented by RCHEA.

Requirements

Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license Required
Current CPR or BLS certification Required
Current ACLS certification Required
Current NBRC-RRT certification or Current NBRC-CRT credential Required

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent (some certifications will require Bachelor's) Preferred
Master's Degree Preferred
Three years' technical experience Preferred
Current NRP certification Preferred
Current PALS certification Preferred
Current PEARS certification Preferred

Responsibilities

Assesses and documents the appropriateness of prescribed therapy (including recommendations) for patients receiving respiratory care services.
Administers aerosol and oxygen therapy, while maintaining charts.
Draws arterial blood gases per policy and physician order.
Provides care to ventilator patients.
Assists in department record keeping and operation, as well as participation in training and supervision of new employees.
Documents care given; maintains records of treatment given; generates necessary documents for charges or record keeping.
Assists in the instruction of nursing personnel in surveillance of patient and equipment after initial installation.
Performs pulmonary function tests, drainage procedures, and provides additional patient care regarding cardio respiratory disease.
Provides suggestions regarding the patients’ treatment and pulmonary progress.
Provides assistance in cardio respiratory rehabilitation.
Provides instruction to patients and family in the nature of cardio respiratory disease and its ramifications.
Makes rounds to check all respiratory therapy equipment in use or on standby in patient areas.
Ensures completion of the initial ventilator bundle orders upon initiation of mechanical ventilation.
Ensures compliance of VAP bundle for all patients receiving mechanical ventilation.
Identifies measurable and reasonable outcomes while using appropriate therapy interventions to resolve patient needs.
Updates and communicates the diagnosis throughout the patient's stay based on patient's changing condition and disease status.
Assists with maintenance and processing of equipment and products used in providing respiratory therapy services.
Serves as a knowledge resource to the physician and hospital staff in relation to the technical aspects of respiratory care and the effectiveness of methods to administer safe respiratory therapy.
Assists in stocking and re-ordering parts and equipment.
Assists in the set up of specialty equipment.
Keeps the equipment clean and ready for its next use.
Assists physicians with bronchoscopies and special procedures.
Assists with quality control, staff schedules and competencies.