Respiratory Therapist Registered Wknd

Welcome to Saint Joseph Hospital a 433-bed hospital founded in 1877 by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth as the first hospital in Lexington Kentucky. Led by Sister Euphrasia Stafford the mission to provide compassionate care to the underserved is still carried out today. Saint Joseph Hospital holds over two dozen national ranks and recognitions and is recognized as a 2024 Best Place to Work in Kentucky.

Saint Joseph is part of CommonSpirit Health a non-profit Catholic health system dedicated to advancing health for all people. With approximately 175000 team members and 25000 physicians and advanced practice clinicians.

Our commitment to serve the common good is delivered through the dedicated work of thousands of physicians advanced practice clinicians nurses and staff; through clinical excellence delivered across a system of 140 hospitals and more than 2200 care centers serving 24 states.

****Sign On Bonus up to $25000 and Student Loan Payback up to $24000 for eligible hires****

JOB SUMMARY / PURPOSE

The Registered Respiratory Therapist is an (RRT) that possesses working knowledge of respiratory care and has displayed age-specific competence for all age groups serviced by the facility. The incumbent conducts himself/herself in a professional manner and is courteous to patients physicians visitors members of the department and all other healthcare personnel. The incumbent supports and contributes to departmental productivity and organizational objectives by functioning as an integrated member of the respiratory care team and performs services consistent with his/her scope of licensure. The incumbent supports and exhibits behaviors consistent with the organizations mission and values in offering hope and healing to all.

ESSENTIAL KEY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Plans and administers non-medicated aerosol and humidity therapy.

2. Plans and administers oxygen therapy (including implementation of oxygen therapy protocol where appropriate.

3. Plans and administers aerosolized medication and specialty gas therapy.

4. Plans and administers COPD care program.

5. Performs airway management.

6. Plans and administers incentive spirometry.

7. Cleans and reprocesses respiratory therapy equipment and stocks supplies for immediate use.

8. Plans and administers bronchial hygiene and performs chest physiotherapy (including implementation of bronchial hygiene protocol where appropriate).

9. Performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation and manual ventilation during resuscitation attempts and aides in rapid response calls when appropriate.

10. Collects analyzes and reports arterial blood samples.

11. Operates mechanical ventilators (invasive and non-invasive) and manages ventilator settings and weaning per protocols and provider orders.

12. Performs electrocardiography studies.

13. Performs bedside pulmonary function testing.

14. Performs overnight pulse oximetry.

15. When called upon to do so serves as a preceptor to newly hired employees and/or respiratory therapy students.

16. When called upon to do so serves in the charge respiratory therapist role.

17. When called upon to do so assists in research projects (as directed by departmental and facility leadership.

18. Provides patient family hospital staff and physician education as appropriate.

19. Attend staff or hospital meetings as required and participates on committees as directed.

20. Performs other duties within the scope of licensure as assigned.

Required Education for Staff Job Levels:

At a minimum the incumbent shall have received the equivalent of an Associates Degree in Cardiopulmonary Services or Respiratory Care from an accredited respiratory therapy educational program.

Required Licensure and Certifications:

The incumbent shall be distinguished as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC); such distinction shall be kept current (if applicable). Additionally the incumbent shall hold an active license as a Respiratory Care Practitioner from the Kentucky Board of Respiratory Care. The incumbent shall hold a current certificate from the American Heart Association (AHA) in Basic Life Support or Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers.

Required Minimum Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

The incumbent shall be skilled in interpersonal communication to the level that is required to effectively interact with patients visitors and members of the healthcare team. The incumbent shall possess critical thinking skills adequate to evaluate patient conditions and recommend appropriate intervention (or to seek assistance when necessary). The incumbent shall display time management skills that are sufficient to organize scheduled tasks in a manner that ensures delivery of high quality respiratory care. At a minimum the incumbent shall communicate in English at the twelfth grade level. Sufficient proficiency in speaking reading and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security. Ability to effectively communicate with patients physicians family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles. The incumbent shall possess basic rationale in communicating therapeutic needs with patients visitors and members of the healthcare team. Ability to work independently; capable of handling challenging / difficult procedures and patient care situations; demonstrates sound judgment and executes above average clinical skills. Exhibits strong interpersonal and team player skills with all levels of the healthcare team and assures delivery of excellent customer service to all patients visitors physicians and co-workers. Adapts to multiple ongoing priorities with minimal supervision including organizing work flow and actively participating in problem-solving. Possesses basic computer knowledge; operates multiple computer systems to include Hospital / Respiratory Information Systems and Office software to maintain patient and exam documents.

PREFERRED Qualifications:

One year experience as a Respiratory Care Practitioner. It is desired that the incumbent hold a current certificate from the AHA in Advanced Cardiac Life Support. If the incumbent functions within the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit he/she shall hold a current certificate from the AHA/American Academy of Pediatrics as a Neonatal Resuscitation Program Provider.