Respiratory Therapist

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Performs routine therapies that aid in the treatment, diagnosis, and evaluation of their cardiopulmonary status.

Will Initiate, monitor, evaluate, and wean invasive and non-invasive ventilation. Makes parameter recommendations based on clinical assessment, technical assessment, patient compliance, patient response, laboratory values, and patient status.

Initiates and provides on-going evaluation of treatment regime including medication delivery and oxygen administration through therapist driven protocols by performing patient assessments to determine the needs related to treatment therapies, frequencies, and duration of treatment regime ordered by physician.

Assesses patients clinically before and after the administration or application of any medication, procedure, or device; recommends appropriate therapy including initial therapy, changes in therapy, and discontinuation.

Monitors, assesses, educates, and documents the patient and/or family on therapies, medications, goals of therapies, and equipment during treatment.

Documents work timely, completely, and accurately including documentation in the patient electronic medical record and departmental records.

Demonstrates competence in the set-up, calibration, and troubleshooting of mechanical ventilators, noninvasive ventilation devices, therapeutic bronchoscopies and pulmonary function screens.

Cleans using high level disinfection, assembles, and maintains equipment and the stocking of departmental supplies.

Performs and documents emergency rounds, oxygen saturation checks, and titrates oxygen per protocol during oxygen and aerosol rounds.

Performs therapies in strict compliance to universal precautions and proper body mechanics, using sound judgment in evaluating situations, and taking appropriate action when necessary.

Responds to emergent care situations in the hospital and assists with resuscitation by providing chest compressions, airway management, airway stabilization, and ventilatory support in accordance with the American Heart association guidelines and as directed by the Code Team Leader.

Transports adult patients on mechanical ventilators, non-invasive ventilation devices, and critically ill to intrahospital procedures and testing.

Provides developmentally appropriate care to support the various patient populations during their hospitalization. Demonstrates competence in the care of pediatric and adult patients (when/if assigned to these patients) relative to determining each patient’s age related and other physical, psycho-social, and cultural needs.

Maintains proficiency in the processing and interpreting of point of care (POC) blood gases, glucose, and electrolytes; and collaborates on quality control with the POC Coordinator (at applicable locations only).

• May require on call coverage as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

COE Behavior Expectations

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following behavior expectations:

Quality - Follows policies and procedures; adapts to and manages changes in the environment; Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness giving attention to details; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Manages time and prioritizes effectively to achieve organizational goals.

Service - Responds promptly to requests for service and assistance; Follows the Mercyhealth Critical Moments of service; Meets commitments; Abides by MH confidentiality and security agreement; Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; and effectively communicates information to partners; Thinks system wide regarding processes and functions.

Partnering - Shows commitment to the Mission of Mercyhealth and Culture of Excellence through all words and actions; Exhibits objectivity and openness to other's views; Demonstrates a high level of participation and engagement in day-to-day work; Gives and welcomes feedback; Generates suggestions for improving work: Embraces teamwork, supports and encourages positive change while giving value to individuals.

Cost - Conserves organization resources; Understands fiscal responsibility; Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures; contributes to profits and revenue.

Education & Experience

Graduate of an accredited Respiratory Care Program

Certification/Licensure

RRT- CRT will be accepted for RTs that are not eligible for RRT. All other CRTs must earn RRT within 1 year of hire.

• CPR
• NRP within 90 days of orientation, for those departments requiring delivery attendance
• IL and/ or WI Respiratory Care Practitioner license

Additional Requirements

• Passing the WI Caregiver Background Check and/or IL Health Care Workers Background Check.
• Must be able to follow written/oral instructions.

Other Skills and Abilities

Good mathematical and interpersonal skills

Work Environment

The noise level in the work environment is usually

Occupational Exposure: Category A - All partners in the specified job classification have occupational exposure.

Occupational Exposure: Category B -Some partners in the specified job classification have occupational exposure.

Occupational Exposure: Category C - No partners in the specified job classification have occupational exposure.

AGE of Patients Served

• Neonate (birth – 28 days)
• Infant (29 days – less than 1 year)
• Pediatric (1 year – 12 years)
• Adolescents (13 years – 17 years)
• Adult (18 years – 64 years)
• Geriatric (65 years and older)
• Non-Specific Task (N/A)

Information Access

Partner may access patient care information needed to perform their job duties. OR Partner may access patient care information, financial data, human resource data and strategic and planning data needed to perform their job duties as directed by the director.

Work Contact Group

Partners, physicians, patients/family, visitors, vendors, community

Special Physical Demands

The Special Physical Demands are considered Essential Job Functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb, balance, talk, and hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, taste, and smell.

Specific vision abilities require by this job include frequent ability to adjust focus and occasionally distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally exert up to 100 pounds of force.

Level of Supervision

Work requires a moderate level of independent judgment along with good interpretative and interpersonal skills with justification and accountability to Lead, Supervisor, Manager, and Director.

• SUPERVISES
• No supervisory responsibilities.

Pay Range

$30.59 - $47.42

Mercyhealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

• Mercyhealth offers competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package including:
• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Life & Disability Insurance
• FSA/HSA Options
• Generous, accruing paid time off
• Paid Parental and caregiver leave
• Career advancement and educational opportunities
• Tuition and certification reimbursement
• Certification Reimbursement
• Well-being Programs
• Employee Discounts
• On-Demand Pay
• Financial Education
• Annual recognition/awards events
• Partner appreciation days
• Family entertainment/attractions discount

Community Service/improvement Opportunities

Click here for more details regarding Mercyhealth Careers Benefit Information.

At Mercyhealth, we don’t simply hire people, we empower employee-partners who are passionate about making lives better. As an integrated health system, we deliver exceptional, coordinated across seven hospitals, 85 primary and specialty clinics, and a team of over 7,500 professionals serving northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.

Mercyhealth has been nationally recognized for our commitment to our people and culture, including:

#1 in the nation on AARP's Best Employers for Workers Over 50

• One of Working Mother magazine's 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers
• A Top 50 Company and Top 10 Nonprofit for Executive Women