Respiratory Therapist IV - Per Diem - Shift

Kern Medical has been a community cornerstone since its founding in 1867. Today,
we are an acute care teaching center with 222 beds, offering the only advanced
trauma care between Fresno and Los Angeles. Kern Medical cares for 15,500
inpatients and 125,000 clinic patients a year.

* Per Diem employees supplement department staffing needs, with no guarantee of
minimum hours.
* Per Diem minimum scheduling expectation is four (4) shifts per four-week
schedule.

Position: Respiratory Therapist IV - Per Diem

Distinguishing Characteristics

This is the highest level in the Respiratory Therapist flexible classification
series.  The Respiratory Therapist IV is fully competent in the use of the most
complex treatment techniques and assists in training others in these
techniques.  This level works with a minimum of supervision and carries out
routine medical technical therapeutic and diagnostic procedures, and may be
assigned off-site to perform duties that are consistent within this
classification.

This level is distinguished from the Respiratory Therapist III classification by
requiring a higher level of accredited respiratory therapy education and
professional credentialing.  It is further distinguished by its responsibility
to serve as lead practitioner for specified hours or shifts. 

Essential Functions

* Administers IPPB therapy.
* Performs humidity and aerosol therapy.
* Administers medical gas and pulmonary drainage procedures.
* Performs cardiorespiratory resuscitation, electrocardiography testing, and
related procedures.
* Administers aerosolized drugs.
* Provides continuous mechanical ventilation; maintains artificial airways.
* Performs more complex pulmonary function testing.
* Performs arterial blood gas sampling.
* Cleans and prepares equipment; performs routine mechanical maintenance on
respiratory therapy equipment.
* Makes periodic and emergency checks on respiratory therapy equipment
installations.
* Operates analyzers to determine saturation of oxygen and other gases in the
blood.

Essential Functions (continued)

* 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.
* Provides suggestions regarding the patients' treatment and pulmonary
progress; instructs the patient and his family in the use of equipment and
techniques involved in self care; provides instruction to patients and family
in the nature of cardiorespiratory disease and its ramifications.
* Develops individual exercise routines, bronchial clearing procedures,
evaluation and monitoring techniques for each patient.
* Implements infection control and demonstrates knowledge of aseptic
techniques.
* Responds to emergency calls throughout the hospital.
* Documents care given; maintains records of treatment given; generates
necessary documents for charges or record keeping.
* Conducts quality assurance monitors.
* Dependent upon area of practice or department assignments, demonstrates
clinical knowledge and skill in the care of the newborn, infant, toddler,
child, adolescent, adult and geriatric patient ranging up to 100+ years of
age.

Other Functions

* Assists with maintenance and processing of equipment and products used in
providing cardiopulmonary services.
* Assists with bronchoscopies.
* Provides assistance in cardiorespiratory rehabilitation.
* Participates in training and supervision of new employees; assists in the
instruction of nursing personnel in surveillance of patient and equipment
after initial installation.
* Performs other job-related functions as required.

Employment Standards

Appointees not possessing the American Heart Association Provider Basic Life
Support (BLS) card at time of hire must successfully complete appropriate
training and qualify for the RQI Provider certification within 60 days of
employment. As a continued condition of employment, employee must maintain RQI
Provider certification and competency.

Registration:  Registered with the National Board for Respiratory Care as a
Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).

Licensure:  Possession of a valid, current license as a Respiratory Care
Practitioner, issued by the State of California.

Depending on assignment incumbents may be required to possess and maintain
specific certificates of competency as a condition of employment.

Possession of a Class C California Driver’s License may be required by
assignment to off-site locations.

Knowledge of

Operating principles of commonly used types of ventilators and respiratory care
equipment, including intermittent positive pressure breathing apparatus,
nebulizers, humidifiers and oxygen analyzers; cardiopulmonary physiology,
electrocardiography testing and related equipment used in testing and diagnostic
studies, the chemistry of gases in respiratory therapy and the symptoms common
to patients suffering respiratory ailments.

Ability to

Learn and conduct diagnostic tests such as EEG, EKG, Pulmonary Function and
Echocardiograms; explain and teach others the fundamentals of respiratory
therapy, cardiopulmonary services, electrocardiography testing and related
procedures; the use of respiratory equipment and how to adjust the equipment to
individual patient needs; implement goal oriented ventilator management with
close interaction with physicians and nurses; interpret arterial blood gas
results and recommend appropriate action so timely therapy changes can be made;
understand hospital routine and organization; work with medical staff and
patients.

Supplemental

A background check may be required for this classification.

All Kern Medical employees are designated “Disaster Service Workers”. In the
event of a disaster or civil disorder, all Kern Medical employees are to remain
at work or to report to work in a safe and practicable manner. 

If position responsibilities require driving a personal vehicle, then possession
of a current valid California Driver’s License and adherence to the Kern County
Hospital Authority Vehicle Use and Driving Standard Policy (ENG-EC-119) is
required.

If position responsibilities require driving a vehicle owned, leased or rented
by Kern Medical, then possession of a current valid California Driver’s license,
a signed authorization for Release of Drivers Record Information and adherence
to the Kern County Hospital Authority Vehicle Use and Driving Standard Policy
(ENG-EC-119) is required.