ST. CHARLES HEALTH SYSTEM

JOB DESCRIPTION

TITLE:                                      Registered Respiratory Therapist

REPORTS TO POSITION:         Manager Respiratory Therapy

DEPARTMENT:                         Respiratory Therapy

DATE LAST REVIEWED:          July 2024

OUR VISION:                            Creating America’s healthiest community, together

OUR MISSION:                         In the spirit of love and compassion, better health, better care, better value

OUR VALUES:                          Accountability, Caring and Teamwork

DEPARTMENT SUMMARY: At St. Charles Health System, the team of physicians and respiratory therapists use specially developed protocols to determine each patient’s plan of care and adjust the course of action for every individual’s condition. Respiratory therapists treat many different diseases, which include Asthma, Bronchitis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Emphysema, Neuromuscular and Metabolic Disorders, Pneumonia and Pulmonary Fibrosis. The team also assists people with respiratory complications from heart attacks, trauma, premature birth, cystic fibrosis, lung cancer, AIDS and more. Respiratory therapists serve patients on an outpatient basis as well as throughout St. Charles Health System's four hospitals, providing coverage 24-hours-a-day.

POSITION OVERVIEW: The Registered Respiratory Therapist provides respiratory assessment, support, treatment and diagnostic tests as part of the healthcare team in accordance with the St. Charles Health System’s mission, philosophy, policies, and procedures while applying standards for professional respiratory practice in the clinical setting. The Respiratory Therapist performs duties according to physician's orders, utilizing knowledge and judgment in regard to technique and patient treatment. The Respiratory Therapist will be responsible for adult, geriatric, pediatric and neonatal patient respiratory care as assigned. This position does not directly supervise any other caregivers.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES:

Manages, assesses, plans, and evaluates care for patients with acute and/or chronic cardiopulmonary deficiencies and abnormalities. Performs established respiratory care procedures for patients within department scope of practice.

Ventilator management – Manages all modes of mechanical ventilation, including lung protective strategies, monitoring patient/ventilator interactions and lung mechanics. Manages delivery of aerosolized medications and metered dose inhalers. Manages delivery of exogenous gases (nitric oxide and heliox).

Airway Management – Responsible for management of artificial airways and tracheostomy tubes, tracheostomy tube exchanges and decannulation. Assists with fiber optic bronchoscopy and intubations. Assists with moderate sedation.

Patient monitoring- Monitors arterial blood gases, EtC02, SP02, blood pressure, vital signs, and other monitoring related to hemodynamics.  

Respiratory protocols – Conducts assessment and implementation of protocols for oxygen, bronchopulmonary hygiene, bronchodilator, lung expansion, hypoxic risk protocol.

Oxygen therapy – Conducts assessment and implementation of oxygen therapy to include low and high flow oxygen therapy with various devices.

Performs EKGs as needed at some locations.

Additional job-related duties may include participation in Code Blue, Trauma Team, Rapid Response, Neonatal resuscitation and high-risk newborn deliveries.

Calculates dosages and administers medications accurately in accordance with St. Charles Health System policies and procedures for medication administration.

Provides and maintains a safe environment for caregivers, patients and guests.

Documents all patient care with proficiency in compliance with hospital policies, procedures and regulatory agencies. 

Identifies work-related problems with possible solutions and implements solution(s) (within scope of practice), when appropriate.

Participates in creating a healing environment that supports all aspects of the care environment and the wholeness of each individual, patient and caregiver.

Participates in creating intentional relationships and demonstrates focus attitudes and behaviors that enhance the care experience.

Provides a therapeutic presence in service to others by purposefully responding to the needs of patients in a caring way, including introducing oneself and explaining role in patient’s care, asking the patient his or her preferred name, sitting with the patient to determine his or her care goals, active listening, and communicating effectively and appropriately through touch, eye contact, etc.

Supports the vision, mission and values of the organization in all respects.

Supports Lean principles of continuous improvement with energy and enthusiasm, functioning as a champion of change.

Provides and maintains a safe environment for caregivers, patients and guests.

Conducts all activities with the highest standards of professionalism and confidentiality. Complies with all applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures, supporting the organization’s corporate integrity efforts by acting in an ethical and appropriate manner, reporting known or suspected violation of applicable rules, and cooperating fully with all organizational investigations and proceedings.

Delivers customer service and/or patient care in a manner that promotes goodwill, is timely, efficient and accurate. 

May perform additional duties of similar complexity within the organization, as required or assigned.

May be required to float to other St. Charles Health System campus locations based on operational needs as directed by leadership.  

Lead Therapist – (In addition to the duties and responsibilities listed above)

Provides guidance and leadership for staff during assigned shifts (acts as a resource, makes decisions as necessary).

Distributes workload for shift and assures proper assignments per qualifications/credentials of staff. Assesses staffing throughout the shift, adjusts as necessary, and assures staffing needs are addressed for the oncoming shift. 

Performs quality assurance audits.

Provides manager with feedback of departmental needs and therapist performance.

Acts as a role model for the Respiratory Therapy staff in maintaining departmental policies and procedures and demonstrates leadership skills in handling interpersonal conflict and communication.

EDUCATION:

Required: As required for Respiratory Care Practitioner licensure/certification.

Preferred: Bachelors degree in related field.

LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION/REGISTRATION:

Required: Current Respiratory Therapist licensure with the Oregon Health Licensing office.

Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) registration.

NRP required to be assigned to NICU/FBC or to function as a lead therapist.

ACLS, and PALS within six (6) months of hire.

AHA Basic Life Support for Healthcare Provider certification.

Ability to meet St. Charles Health System driving requirements.

Ability to travel to all St. Charles Health System worksites as required.

EXPERIENCE:

Required: N/A 

Preferred: Two (2) years of hospital experience. Emergency and trauma experience.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT:

Must be able to wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required to perform the job safely.

ADDITIONAL POSITION INFORMATION: 

Skills:

Ability to effectively interact and communicate with all levels within SCHS and patients/family members/customers.

Must have excellent communication skills and ability to interact with a diverse population and professionally represent SCHS.

Excellent organizational and multi-tasking skills. 

Strong team working and collaborative skills.

Strong analytical, problem solving and decision-making skills. 

Basic to intermediate ability and experience in computer applications, specifically electronic medical records system and MS Office.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Continually (75% or more): Standing and walking, keyboard operation, use of clear and audible speaking voice and the ability to hear normal speech level.

Frequently (50%): Sitting, lifting/carrying/pushing or pulling 1-25 pounds. The use and operation of a motor vehicle for Home Health and Wound Caregivers.

Occasionally (25%): Bending, stooping/kneeling/crouching, climbing ladder/step-stool (varies by area), reaching overhead, lifting/carrying/pushing or pulling 25-50 pounds, grasping/squeezing, ability to hear whispered speech level.

Rarely (10%): Climbing stairs.

Never (0%):  Climbing ladder/step-stool (varies by area), operation of a motor vehicle.

Exposure to Elemental Factors

Rarely (10%): Wet/slippery area, chemical solution.

Never (0%):  Heat, cold, noise, dust, vibration, uneven surface.

Blood-Borne Pathogen (BBP) Exposure Category

Risk for Exposure to BBP

This position is within the OFNHP bargaining unit and subject to the union membership terms in the collective bargaining agreement.

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