Purpose of Job
- The Respiratory Care Practitioner is responsible for the assessment of respiratory patients with acute and chronic illnesses, to ensure delivery of clinically appropriate respiratory care procedures as prescribed by the medical staff or neonate, pediatric, adolescent and adult patients.
Job Requirements
- Education
  - Associate's of Science Degree with a certificate in Respiratory Care required.
  - Bachelor's of Science Degree with a certificate in Respiratory Care preferred.
  - Satisfactory completion of annual mandatory education requirements.
- Experience
  - Requires 3-6 months of on-the-job experience to gain knowledge of hospital policies, procedures and routines.
- License/Certifications
  - Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT.NBRC) with the National Board of Respiratory Care within 12 months of accepting the Advanced Practitioner position required.
  - Respiratory Care Practitioner license by the state of Iowa (RCP.IA) required.
  - Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification required.
  - Current American Heart Association Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certification required.
  - Current American Heart Association Pediatric Advanced Cardiac Life Support (PALS) Certification required within 6 months of hire.
  - Current American Heart Association Neonatal Resusitation Program required within 6 months of hire.
  - Satisfactory completion of annual mandatory education requirements required.
- Skills/Knowledge/Abilities
  - Requires a high degree of ability and skill in written and verbal communication to accurately relay appropriate and high quality recommendations to other member of the patient care team.
Physical Requirements
- Weight Demands
  - Medium Work - Exerting up to 50 pounds of force.
- Physical Activity
  - Occasionally Performed (1%-33%):
    - Climbing
    - Crawling
    - Kneeling
    - Sitting
  - Frequently Performed (34%-66%):
    - Balancing
    - Carrying
    - Crouching
    - Distinguish colors
    - Keyboarding/typing
    - Lifting
    - Pulling/Pushing
    - Repetitive Motions
    - Stooping/bending
    - Twisting
  - Constantly Performed (67%-100%):
    - Fingering/Touching
    - Grasping
    - Hearing
    - Reaching
    - Seeing/Visual
    - Speaking/talking
    - Standing
    - Walking
  - Frequently Performed (34%-66%):
    - Balancing
    - Carrying
    - Crouching
    - Distinguish colors
    - Keyboarding/typing
    - Lifting
    - Pulling/Pushing
    - Repetitive Motions
    - Standing
    - Stooping/bending
    - Twisting
    - Walking
  - Constantly Performed (67%-100%):
    - Fingering/Touching
    - Grasping
    - Hearing
    - Reaching
    - Seeing/Visual
    - Speaking/talking
- Job Hazards
  - Not Related:
    - Electrical Shock/Static
  - Not Related:
    - Explosives (pressurized gas)
    - Electrical Shock/Static
    - Radiation Alpha, Beta and Gamma (particles such as X-ray, Cat Scan, Gamma Knife, etc)
    - Radiation Non-Ionizing (Ultraviolet, visible light, infrared and microwaves that causes injuries to tissue or thermal or photochemical means)
  - Rare (1-33%):
    - Radiation Alpha, Beta and Gamma (particles such as X-ray, Cat Scan, Gamma Knife, etc)
    - Radiation Non-Ionizing (Ultraviolet, visible light, infrared and microwaves that causes injuries to tissue or thermal or photochemical means)
  - Rare (1-33%):
    - Chemical agents (Toxic, Corrosive, Flammable, Latex)
    - Mechanical moving parts/vibrations
  - Occasionally (34%-66%):
    - Physical hazards (noise, temperature, lighting, wet floors, outdoors, sharps) (more than ordinary office environment)
    - Equipment/Machinery/Tools
    - Explosives (pressurized gas)
    - Hazardous Drugs (exposure risks, personal protective equipment required)
  - Occasionally (34%-66%):
    - Biological agents (primary air born and blood born viruses) (Jobs with Patient contact) Blood or Body Fluid (BBF)
    - Equipment/Machinery/Tools
  - Frequent (67%-100%):
    - Chemical agents (Toxic, Corrosive, Flammable, Latex)
    - Biological agents (primary air born and blood born viruses) (Jobs with Patient contact) Blood or Body Fluid (BBF)
    - Mechanical moving parts/vibrations
  - Note: Safety Officer can assist with identification of job hazards.
Essential Job Functions
- Essential Functions I
  - Performs routine and complex modalities of respiratory care independent of direct supervision.
    - Demonstrates competency on all therapeutic modalities performed at Methodist Hospital.
    - Completes high-risk/low-volume skill checklist satisfactorily.
  - Documents procedures in patient record according to departmental procedure.
    - Documents patient assessment, interventions and progress in the medical information system.
    - Updates the patient care plans and goals to reflect appropriate patient care needs.
  - Develops/reviews/revises plan of care as needed to provide optimum patient care outcome.
    - Receives and interprets physician orders according to professional field of knowledge.
    - Evaluates patients in cooperation with attending physician.
    - Recommends appropriate care based on AARC clinical practice guidelines.
  - Regularly communicates with other patient care team members to exchange information regarding condition and progress of assigned patients.
    - Gives a complete verbal or written report to oncoming care provider.
    - Uses communication board and patient care plan to keep nurse and other caregivers updated on patient's progress.
    - Communicates to appropriate personnel regarding unresolved issues.
  - Maintains continuity of hospital services to ensure optimum and timely patient care interventions.
    - Assumes charge responsibilities in the absence of a Lead therapist.
    - Provides diagnostic procedures, within the RCP's scope of practice.
  - Works within Protocol Guidelines and ensures all patients are receiving appropriate therapy.
    - > 95% of all patients reviewed for protocol therapy.
    - Charts flagged for therapy changes.
  - Assists the Respiratory Care Department achieve a Patient Satisfaction rate >95%.
    - Is viewed as informative and helpful by Patient.
    - Assists with patient needs when asked whenever possible.
  - Works toward improving interdepartmental relations.
    - Helps educate nursing and ancillary staff regarding Respiratory Care procedures.
- Essential Functions II
  - Participates in mandatory in-services and/or CE programs as mandated by policies and procedures/external agencies and as directed by management.
  - Follows and understands the mission, vision, core values, Employee Standards of Compassionate Care/AIDET and company policies/procedures.
  - Other duties as assigned.