Respiratory Therapist - Seasonal PRN

Kindred Hospital Chattanooga is a 49-bed long-term acute care hospital, offering the same in-depth care you would receive in a traditional hospital, but for an extended recovery period. We partner with your physician and offer 24-hour clinical care 7 days a week so you can start your journey to wellness anytime.

Job Summary

Responsible for administering safe and competent respiratory care as ordered per physician, monitoring mechanical ventilation, administering medications, patient assessment, understanding ramifications of hemodynamic monitoring, understanding blood work results, monitoring, teaching, and training.

The Seasonal Staffing program provides a temporary opportunity for the employee to work a minimum of 36 hours (typically 3–12-hour shifts) per week for a 12-week commitment period at a Seasonal Agreement rate of pay.

Once the initial commitment period has exhausted the employee can extend the agreement up to an additional 12 weeks in 4-week increments. The employee’s status during this period will be Per Diem and ineligible for benefits.

At the end of the Seasonal Agreement the employee may has the option, based on current job openings, to change status to full-time, part-time, or per diem. The employee may be required to float between units.

Essential Functions

Competent delivery of Respiratory Care procedures in all areas of the hospital as outlined in the Respiratory Care policies, procedures and protocols.

Maintain accurate and complete documentation and charge capture of all Respiratory Care procedures. Develop, document and maintain respiratory care elements of the patient plan of care.

Verify and initiate all physician orders for Respiratory Care.

Demonstrate competency and working knowledge of all Respiratory Care instruments and equipment. Perform troubleshooting, problem resolution and proper disinfection/sterilization.

Initiate, monitor and maintain oxygen/aerosol delivery devices and non-invasive and invasive mechanical ventilation devices.

Perform effective airway management including oral/nasal airway placement, bag/mask ventilation, intubation and/or intubation assistance, emergent and scheduled tracheostomy tube changes. Demonstrate safe and appropriate suction techniques and use of artificial airways. Initiate and perform "CPR".

• Perform tracheostomy, endotracheal tube and oral care.
• Implement one way speaking valve trials per physician order.
• Assist physician with diagnostic and therapeutic bronchoscopy procedures.
• Complete initial and ongoing decannulation risk assessments with appropriate interventions and documentation.

Perform and document timely Spontaneous Breathing Trial assessments for weaning readiness. Initiate and advance mechanical ventilator weaning per protocol.

• Actively participate in the multidisciplinary early patient mobility program
• Perform pulse oximetry and carbon dioxide gas monitoring.
• Perform arterial blood gas (ABG) sampling and analysis.
• Perform and document ongoing ABG analyzer quality control and maintenance as required.
• Perform and document patient and family teaching/education.
• Provide and receive accurate and complete patient handoff reports.
• Participate in department/hospital in-services, meetings, and patient care rounds.
• Notify immediate supervisor of changes in workload and patient acuity.
• Provide timely and accurate updates to healthcare team members and make recommendations for modification to patient therapy as clinically indicated.
• Assist in orientation and training of new employees/ students, and precept new employees during orientation.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities/Expectations

Ability to work under stress and to respond quickly in emergency situations.

Utilize appropriate interpersonal communication skills when interacting with all healthcare team members, patients, and their families.

Understands principles of lifespan growth and development with the ability to provide care appropriate for the adult and geriatric patient population.

• Ability to work cooperatively as a member of a team.
• Must have good and regular attendance.
• Must read, write and speak fluent English.
• Approximate percent of time required to travel: 0%25
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education

Respiratory Therapy education as required for attainment of credentialing by the National Board for Respiratory Care

Licenses/Certification

• Current Respiratory Therapy license from the appropriate state licensing body.
• Current Certified, Registered Respiratory Therapist (CRT/RRT) credential or a Respiratory Care Practitioner Certification in compliance with the National Board for Respiratory Care Credential Maintenance Program (CMP).
• Current BLS and ACLS certifications.

Experience

1 year experience preferred.