Registered Respiratory Therapist (Full Time, Nights)

Performs all respiratory therapy patient modalities prescribed under a physician's order. Assigned primarily to MedSurg. If assigned to ICU, will follow the lead of a Registered Respiratory Therapist II or greater.

Job Specific Duties

Assesses patients in terms of clinical condition (heart rate, respiratory rate, etc.) and documents findings (Pre/Post therapy) in an accurate and timely manner. Provides feedback to physician(s).

Ensures proper communication between physicians and families. Serves as a patient advocate/educator and provides family support and community resources.

Provides patient information and effectively completes hand off process to peers using SBAR at shift change and patient reassignments.

Provides education to patients/families on the continuing plan of care to include medications and side effects; updates patients/families daily on Plan of Care (POC).

Participates in Lean initiative to assess and improve processes for opportunities to deliver higher quality, cost effective care, with greater customer service as measured by metrics.

Participates in rounds with medical team and discusses initial (new) and follow up cases with MD and documents note.

• Serves as backup for all emergency codes (blue, rapid response, code orange).
• Performs and tests invasive and non-invasive modalities for home ventilators.

Performs basic respiratory therapy for medical/surgical patients such as aerosol delivery, airway clearance, HFNC, Trach care, oral/Nasal suctioning and chest physiotherapy.

Performs and tests invasive and non-invasive ventilators, such as Conventional, HFO, HFJ and Home ventilators. Initiates therapy, and monitors patient/ ventilator. Ensures ventilator is working and documents equipment settings. Manages and documents findings of ETT.

Performs and test Special Gas equipment, such as Nitric Oxide, He-liox, Nitrogen. Initiates therapy and monitors patient. Ensures equipment is working properly and documents equipment settings.

Performs Blood Gases.

Performs all Quality Assurance on equipment and reports any malfunction. Removes equipment and documents if equipment failure impacted patient outcomes. Completes incident report and tags equipment.

Follows all Infection Control standards and ensures proper use of Personal Protective Equipment per hospital policy and procedures to ensure safe patient care.

• Minimum Job Requirements
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) license issued by the state of Florida
• NBRC - Ntl Board Respiratory Care
• American Heart Association BLS - maintain active and in good standing throughout employment

American Heart Association ACLS required within 30 days of hire - maintain active and in good standing throughout employment

American Heart Association PALS required within 30 days of hire - maintain active and in good standing throughout employment

Neonatal Resuscitation Program NRP American Academy of Pediatrics required within 30 days of hire - maintain active and in good standing throughout employment

• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Associate degree in respiratory care preferred.
• Knowledge of Spanish or Creole preferred.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to interpret, adapt, and react calmly under stressful conditions typical of an ICU environment.
• Ability to problem solve and adapt standard clinical procedures to patients needs associated with pediatric and neonatal population.
• Ability to relate cooperatively and constructively with patients, families, and peers.
• Ability to learn appropriate software application(s) used for patient documentation and medication administration.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Excellent customer service skills.

Ability to react quickly to new challenges, unanticipated events, and resolve issues and address requests in a timely fashion.