Respiratory Therapist - PRN - Night Shift Job Opening

We have an immediate opportunity for Respiratory Therapists

General Summary: The Respiratory Therapist performs a variety of therapeutic and diagnostic cardiopulmonary procedures that are intended to improve the cardiopulmonary status of patients with the use of appropriate equipment and supplies. The Respiratory Therapist is active in unit activities, transdisciplinary team activities, and LifeCare activities to ensure individualized, patient-centered health care for all patient populations admitted to LifeCare Hospital.

Essential Functions:

• Develops and documents a plan for respiratory therapy treatment. Recommends changes and/or alternatives in orders/treatments to the physician to achieve patient compliance and maximum benefits to the treatment program. Communicates changing patient needs to physician.
• Assesses patients using a variety of diagnostic tests and monitoring devices to evaluate the patients’ cardiopulmonary status. Appropriately documents all assessments, treatments, procedures, test results and patient responses in a timely manner.
• Provides and documents emergency care including airway management, intubation and CPR. Responds to emergencies in hospital as needed and assists the team in a clam and effective manner when responding to emergencies.
• Provides and documents education administered to the transdisciplinary team, patient and family concerning diagnosis, treatment and post discharge care. Provides training and supervision of respiratory techniques for members of the transdisciplinary team and students (if applicable). Works in collaboration with the transdisciplinary team, patient and family.
• Plans and organizes work to effectively schedule patient treatments, maintain patient records and charges. Inspects, cleans, tests, maintains and rotates respiratory therapy equipment to ensure that equipment is functioning safely and efficiently, requesting repairs when necessary. Reports equipment maintenance and/or repair timely.
• Participates in departmental data collection to quality patient care and safely. Participates in Laboratory and/or Point-of-Care quality control, proficiency testing and performance improvement activities.
• The knowledge and skills necessary to perform the position requirements are demonstrated through the successful completion of competencies established for the position, to include population served and other special needs of patients or customers, served by the department.
• Adheres to LifeCare policies, procedures, all safety plans and all standards imposed by regulatory organizations.
• Regular attendance and timeliness is required.

Experience: One (1) year of experience with six months in adult critical care and/or rehabilitation or two (2) years of experience in an acute or LTACH setting is preferred.

Education: Graduate of an AMA approved 2 or 4-year Respiratory Therapy program or completion of an AMA approved program equivalency. Fulfillment of RT requirements established by state and/or licensing agency or authority.

Licensure/Certification: Current Respiratory Therapy license in the state where practicing is required. Current BLS certification is required and ACLS certification is required within six (6) months of hire. Current membership in State affiliation, National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC) or American Association of Respiratory Care (AARC) is desired. All Respiratory Therapists must maintain current licensure, BLS and ACLS certifications while employed with LifeCare Hospitals.