Respiratory Therapist Job Opening

Monitors and ensures proper operation and functioning of respiratory therapy equipment. Monitors patients' physiological parameters during therapy. Administers medical gases and aerosolized drugs.


Essential Responsibilities:


• Initiates therapy under a Physicians order, and makes appropriate recommendations for modalities of Therapy.
  
• Implements therapy for, and monitors patients while on continuous mechanical ventilators and all modes of positive pressure breathing devices. Utilizes clinical and other data to assess cardiopulmonary status of patients. Assists in intubation. Provides bedside spirometry. Evaluates ventilator dependent patients' readiness to wean.
  
• Administers humidified medical gases as ordered by practitioners with authority to prescribe.
  
• Interprets blood gas results. Consults attending physician/practitioner regarding appropriate therapy. Performs arterial punctures. Withdraws blood samples from indwelling lines.
  
• Provides ventilatory support during special procedures. Coordinates transport of ventilatory equipment.
  
• Implements and monitors care of patients on heated aerosols and CPAP as per practitioner order.
  
• Develops good working relationships with laboratory, x-ray, infection control, nursing, physicians and other healthcare workers to maintain optimum total patient care.
  
• Cleans and maintains all respiratory therapy equipment. Assists in maintaining adequate inventory of respiratory supplies. Conducts quality control tests on all respiratory equipment. Maintains equipment in safe, workable order; Requests repair when necessary.
  
• Participates in continuous quality improvement teams as required.
  
• Monitors esophageal pressures, swan ganz catheter data, CVP, arterial blood pressures, electrolytes, fluid balance and intravascular volumes as they pertain to respiratory patients.
  
• Performs chest physiotherapy, manual ventilation and suctioning. Positions patients to facilitate respiration.
  
• Performs tracheostomy care and mouth care on intubated/trached patients. Changes tracheostomy tube as ordered.
  
• Performs electroencephalogram as ordered. This includes taking measurements of the head, placement of electrodes, acquisition of data, monitoring of vital signs.
  
• Performs polysomnography as ordered for sleep studies.
  
• Documents pertinent information in medical record. Documents care provided in medical record.
  
• Monitors disease processes, arterial and venous catheter placement and endotracheal tube placement via chest x-ray.
  
• Communicates pertinent patient information to physicians, practitioners and nurses as appropriate.
  
• Participates in patient rounds with Pulmonologist/Intensivist/Neonatologist. Responds to and participates in Code Blue as part of Code team/RRT Team.
  
• Able to instruct patient and family on disease processes and treatments provided by Respiratory Therapy in accordance with the hospital patient/family education policies and procedures. Assumes on-call status as needed.
  
• Other duties as assigned.
  

Basic Qualifications:


Experience


• Six months of experience within in the last two years or completion of a clinical rotation within the last year in critical care/intensive care environment, to include care of respiratory needs of acutely ill patients.
  
  Education
  
  
• Associate's degree with major in Respiratory Therapy.
  
• Documentation of highest level of education achieved must be provided.
  
  License, Certification, Registration
  
  
• Valid Hawaii Respiratory Therapist license (must meet education requirement(s) for Hawaii State licensure).
  
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) with the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) (must obtain within 3 months of hire).
  
• Certified Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
  
• Current BLS for Healthcare Provider CPR or CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer certification.
  
  
  
  Additional Requirements:
  
  
• Demonstrated knowledge of and skill in written communication, oral communication, interpersonal relations, customer service, decision making, problem solving, and teamwork.
  
  
  
  Preferred Qualifications:
  
  
• Experience with NICU (neonatal intensive care) and cardiac surgery patient.

PrimaryLocation : Hawaii,Wailuku,Memorial - Kahului Tower 221 Mahalani St.
HoursPerWeek : 40
Shift : Variable
Workdays : Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
WorkingHoursStart : Varies
WorkingHoursEnd : Varies
Job Schedule : Full-time
Job Type : Standard
Employee Status : Regular
Employee Group/Union Affiliation : S02
Job Level : Individual Contributor
Job Category : Rehab Services
Department : Respiratory Therapy Department
Travel : Yes, 5 % of the Time
Kaiser Permanente is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, parental status, ancestry, disability, gender identity, veteran status, genetic information, other distinguishing characteristics of diversity and inclusion, or any other protected status.

External hires must pass a background check/drug screen. Qualified applicants with arrest and/or conviction records will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with federal and state laws, as well as applicable local ordinances, including but not limited to the San Francisco and Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinances.