Respiratory Therapist at Mary Free Bed are a key member of the multidisciplinary team that collaborates together to provide patientcentered care. Respiratory therapist coordinate direct delegate and provide care to multiple patients. Using a patient and familycentered care approach each Respiratory Therapist develops relationships with patients families and colleagues that enhance the quality of care provided. Respiratory Therapy is performed with compassion and courtesy and each Respiratory Therapist is responsible to follow departmental policies and service standards. Patient and family education is a primary focus and is a critical aspect of the interdisciplinary teams efforts to assist patients to gain independence apply adaptation strategies and return to home.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

Quality Pillar of Excellence

• Quality of CareThe Respiratory Therapist is responsible for all respiratory care provided to patients at Mary Free Bed. Through careful assessment of each patient interdisciplinary collaboration and critical thinking each Respiratory Therapist develops and/or follows a patientcentered plan of care that aligns with the priorities and plans developed by the attending physician and other disciplines.
• Scope of services will include reviewing medical history and evaluation of patient for:
• Bronchodilator Care
• Ventilator Care
• Pulmonary Hygiene Therapy
• Tracheostomy care
• Tracheostomy changes
• Bipap/Cpap therapy
• Appropriate Oxygen and Aerosol Therapy
• Discharge Education and assistance in discharge coordination for patients.
• Diagnostic Procedures/Testing
• Blood Gas Sample and Analysis
• Overnight pulse ox study and download
• Metabolic Testing
• Oxygen Desaturation Study to determine home Oxygen needs
• Quality ImprovementMary Free Bed is committed to providing rehabilitation services that are of the highest possible quality. Opportunities for improvement are valued as staff and leaders will take advantage of lessons learned to improve future services. Each Respiratory Therapist will participate in performance improvement through identification of ways to improve care reporting unexpected events or medical errors and reporting near misses. As requested the Respiratory Therapist will participate in data collection and documentation audits to assist with quality improvement measures.
• Patient Safety Each Respiratory Therapist is responsible to promote safety for all patients served by following all applicable department policies and procedures. Respiratory Therapist will understand and contribute to the initiatives that are in place to improve the safety of the patients served. Additionallya culture of patient safety is very important at MFB and this requires all employees to be able to identify and report unexpected events and near misses without the fear of reprisal or retaliation. Retaliation or intimidation towards another employee for reporting unexpected events or near misses will not be tolerated. Finally when threats to patient safety are identified or opportunities for improvement are noted these will be communicated with the Leadership Team.

Service Pillar of Excellence

• Customer ServiceEach Respiratory Therapist is required to demonstrate excellent customer service standards and behaviors while interacting with patients family members physicians and colleagues. Each Respiratory Therapist must deal discreetly and sensitively with confidential information and as needed will perform customer service recovery with patients and families members.
• Physician and colleague relationshipsInterdisciplinary team integration and collaboration across disciplines to provide patientcentered care is a priority at Mary Free Bed. Maintaining effective working relationships with admitting and consulting physicians at Mary Free Bed is an important responsibility of each Respiratory Therapist. In addition each Respiratory Therapist is responsible to develop and maintain professional working relationships with colleagues from other disciplines that are involved in the care of each patient and family.

People Pillar of Excellence

• Employee Competency Each Respiratory Therapist employed at Mary Free Bed is responsible to perform within the policies procedures and standards of care set by the organization. This often requires demonstration of competency to meet regulatory and accreditation requirements and in alignment with recognized standards of care and best practice benchmarks. Each Respiratory Therapist is responsible to demonstrate competency in those areas required by the department within the defined time frame.
• Professional Work Environment A culture of professionalism respect and accountability is critical to fulfilling the mission of Mary Free Bed Hospital. Each Respiratory Therapist is responsible for encouraging a culture of personal accountability solutionseeking behavior and mutual respect open communication acceptance of change enthusiasm and pride. As opportunities for celebration and opportunities for improvement are identified each Respiratory Therapist will share this information with a member of the Leadership Team
• Employee Safety Responsible to follow all policies and procedures related to employee safety. When risks to employee safety are identified (self or others) will take appropriate steps to reduce those risks communicate with the Director of Respiratory and to maintain a physical work environment that reflects the high quality nursing services delivered at Mary Free Bed.
• Staff Selection Development and MentoringRespiratory Therapist will assist with employee selection and orientation process for new team members. Interview questions and feedback will be presented professionally and tactfully and information discussed during the interviews will remain confidential if needed. As a preceptor each Respiratory Therapist will collaborate with the Leadership Team to provide a comprehensive orientation for the new team member.

Financial Performance Pillar of Excellence

• Fiscal ResponsibilityEach Respiratory Therapist will follow departmental policies and procedures related to payroll practices patient chargeable items and other opportunities to provide highvalue nursing care at a reasonable price to our customers. As opportunities for cost savings and efficiency are identified these will be shared with the appropriate member of the Leadership Team. Will obtain skill set needed to participate in the growth of strategic programs within MFB.

Essential Job Qualifications (Knowledge Education and Training Requirements):

• Registered Respiratory Therapist in the state of Michigan. Newly graduated respiratory therapist have 90 days to successfully complete registry exam.
• Associates degree is required.
• Current ACLS and PALS certification. May obtain within six months of assuming the position.
• Previous experience as a Respiratory Therapist is preferred but not required.
• Strong critical thinking decisionmaking delegation and leadership skills are required to work.
• Time management and organizational skills are very important as well as effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Must be able to work effectively under time requirements and deadlines problemsolve when facing unexpected issues handle interruptions and prioritize effectively.
• Physical Demands:The work environment described here are representative of those an employee will encounter while working as a Respiratory Therapist at Mary Free Bed. The ability to perform these tasks are required in order to provide the necessary patient care required by MFB patients:
  • Required to stand sit talk type read and hear
  • Required to use hands and arms to handle feel carry and work
  • Required to frequently stand walk bend kneel and rise from a kneeling position while performing patient care.
  • Required to be independently mobile with frequent bending and reaching overhead for activities such as positioning and transferring of patients and equipment.
  • Must be able to exert 20 to 35 pounds of force occasionally and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects(*.
  • Due to possible exposure to bloodborne pathogens and hazardous materials must be able to understand and follow department policies related to employee safety.
  • Must be competent with computer systems for the purpose of documenting patient care.