Everyone who works with Mercy Health is united under one purpose: to help our patients be well in mind, body and spirit. This drive, along with our history of faith, is a powerful combination. It gives us a shared calling to work toward every day. Join our exceptional team and help us continue to provide the highest quality of health care possible to our communities.
As a faith-based and patient-focused organization, Mercy Health exists to enhance the health and well-being of all people in mind, body and spirit through exceptional patient care. Success in this goal requires a culture of compassion, collaboration, excellence and respect. Mercy Health seeks people that are committed to our values of compassion, human dignity, integrity, service and stewardship to create an environment where associates want to work and help communities thrive.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Respiratory Care Practitioner II is responsible for providing respiratory care through patient assessment, planning, intervention, education, and evaluation. Performs all respiratory care procedures including but not limited to oxygen and aerosolized medication delivery, ventilator care, bronchial hygiene therapy, diagnostic services and patient and staff education. Monitors the patient’s response to such therapies and makes recommendations to change or modify based on the assessment.

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s Degree, Related to Respiratory Therapy/Health care/Healthcare Admin/Business Admin (preferred)

EXPERIENCE:

• Two years of experience as a Registered Respiratory Therapist or five years CRT working with patient populations from Nursery/NICU and/or ICU/CCU environments. (required)

SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Strong interpersonal skills and able to effectively interact with patients, their families, physicians, and other staff members
• Good communication skills
• Able to effectively work with diverse people
• Good customer service skills
• Good organizational skills and time management skills
• Good oral and written communication
• Able to receive feedback
• Able to gather and interpret data
• Accountability
• Knowledge of non-invasive respiratory therapy equipment such as oximeters or end-tidal CO2 analyzers
• Therapeutic Procedures to include CPAP/BiPap, jet aerosol, oxygen therapy, incentive spirometry, chest physiotherapy, pulse oximetry, high flow oxygen, continuous aerosols, ventilator management, diagnostic testing.
• Understanding of EKGs, electronic monitoring, lead placement, and basic arrhythmias.
• Arterial blood gas punctures and testing
• Airway maneuvers
• Bedside pulmonary function
• Patient assessment
• Patient education
• Knowledge of chest suction equipment
• Knowledge of chest X-ray interpretation

• May serve as the shift “Charge Therapist” with responsibility of ensuring adequate number of respiratory care staff to cover patient care areas and needs. This may include assigning respiratory care staff to work areas and/or work assignments, modifying work assignments, assisting with meal coverage, fielding call offs and providing adequate staffing levels for the next shift.
• May assist physician performing procedures such as bronchoscopy, transtracheal catheter insertion, tracheotomy intubation (if intubation is performed by respiratory therapy in the facility), assists with tracheostomy endotracheal tube changes and invasive monitoring.
• Performs CPR including closed chest compressions and airway management techniques in accordance with the AHA ACLS protocol.
• Conducts prescribed therapeutic procedures to achieve maintenance of a patient airway, including use of appropriate airways including endotracheal tubes, nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal airways, maintenance of airway humidification, aspiration of secretions, extubation, maintenance of correct ETT cuff pressures and documents procedures in patient and department records.
• Selects, assembles, monitors and evaluates mechanical ventilators for proper function and operation, including correction of malfunctions, cleanliness and determines appropriateness use for patient condition.
• May perform pulmonary function tests (PFT).
• Serves as a preceptor to new team members and/or students.
• Assesses patient’s physical status by inspection, palpation, auscultation, percussion, patient behavior and reviewing existing data in patient’s record.
• Performs treatments according to physician orders, explains therapy and therapeutic goals to patient; modifies treatment procedures based on patient response.
• Determines appropriateness of prescribed therapy and recommends methods to physician to achieve therapeutic goals including IPPB, Aerosol therapy, Postural drainage and percussion, ultrasonic nebulizer, incentive spirometry, metered dose inhalers and spacers, etc.
• Sets up and maintains different modes of oxygen therapy, to maintain adequate PaO2’s with accurate inspired levels of oxygen.
• Administers intermittent positive pressure breathing (IPPB) or Aerosol Therapy by first preparing the prescribed medication ordered by the physician and adjusting the machine or device to accomplish patient’s individual clinical needs; document and observe patient’s vital signs, productivity of cough, relief of Dyspnea, improved breath sounds and any adverse reactions to therapy; and use judgement and technical skill to determine possible adverse reactions and suggestions for appropriateness of therapy.
• Gives postural drainage, vibration, percussion to ensure proper drainage of bronchial secretions by use of manual or mechanical percussion; check orders and X-rays for segments to be treated prior to initiating treatment; auscultation prior to and after procedure to note presence of clearance of secretions and response to therapy.
• Instructs patients and families in incentive spirometer, metered dose inhaler (MDI) administration, postural drainage and clapping, oxygen therapy, ventilator care and home aerosol therapy.
• Procurement of sputum for culture and sensitivity or airway clearance either by patient coaching, administration of mucolytics, aerosol therapy or endotracheal / nasopharyngeal suctioning.
• Evaluates normal and pathologic blood and urine laboratory value ranges.
• Performs arterial punctures and analysis; has an in-depth knowledge of analysis and arterial blood gas (ABG) interpretation. Performs arterial line procedures, takes safety precautions, sterile procedure, flushing, and ABG aspirations.
• May perform EKG’s; understands electronic monitoring, lead placement, and basic arrhythmias.
• Maintains all Respiratory Therapy equipment and supplies.
• Responds to cardio-pulmonary resuscitations and actively participates as indicated by clinical circumstances.