Job Description

Kindred Hospital Clear Lake is a long-term acute care (LTAC) hospital specializing in the treatment of patients recovering from post-intensive care and medically complex conditions. Our hospital provides both intensive care and telemetry-level services, offering advanced monitoring and support for patients requiring extended medical care. With a multidisciplinary team dedicated to personalized treatment plans, we focus on helping patients achieve significant recovery and transition to the next level of care.

Job Summary

Responsible for administering safe and competent respiratory care as ordered per physician, monitoring mechanical ventilation, administering medications, patient assessment, understanding ramifications of hemodynamic monitoring, understanding blood work results, monitoring, teaching, and training.

Essential Functions 

• Competent delivery of Respiratory Care procedures in all areas of the hospital as outlined in the Respiratory Care policies, procedures and protocols. 
• Maintain accurate and complete documentation and charge capture of all Respiratory Care procedures. Develop, document and maintain respiratory care elements of the patient plan of care. 
• Verify and initiate all physician orders for Respiratory Care.
• Demonstrate competency and working knowledge of all Respiratory Care instruments and equipment. Perform troubleshooting, problem resolution and proper disinfection/sterilization. 
• Initiate, monitor and maintain oxygen/aerosol delivery devices and non-invasive and invasive mechanical ventilation devices. 
• Perform effective airway management including oral/nasal airway placement, bag/mask ventilation, intubation and/or intubation assistance, emergent and scheduled tracheostomy tube changes. Demonstrate safe and appropriate suction techniques and use of artificial airways. Initiate and perform "CPR". 
• Perform tracheostomy, endotracheal tube and oral care.
• Implement one way speaking valve trials per physician order. 
• Assist physician with diagnostic and therapeutic bronchoscopy procedures. 
• Complete initial and ongoing decannulation risk assessments with appropriate interventions and documentation.
• Perform and document timely Spontaneous Breathing Trial assessments for weaning readiness. Initiate and advance mechanical ventilator weaning per protocol.
• Actively participate in the multidisciplinary early patient mobility program 
• Perform pulse oximetry and carbon dioxide gas monitoring.
• Perform arterial blood gas (ABG) sampling and analysis. 
• Perform and document ongoing ABG analyzer quality control and maintenance as required. 
• Perform and document patient and family teaching/education.
• Provide and receive accurate and complete patient handoff reports. 
• Participate in department/hospital in-services, meetings, and patient care rounds.
• Notify immediate supervisor of changes in workload and patient acuity.
• Provide timely and accurate updates to healthcare team members and make recommendations for modification to patient therapy as clinically indicated. 
• Assist in orientation and training of new employees/ students, and precept new employees during orientation.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities/Expectations

• Ability to work under stress and to respond quickly in emergency situations.
• Utilize appropriate interpersonal communication skills when interacting with all healthcare team members, patients, and their families.
• Understands principles of lifespan growth and development with the ability to provide care appropriate for the adult and geriatric patient population.
• Ability to work cooperatively as a member of a team.
• Must have good and regular attendance.
• Must read, write and speak fluent English.
• Approximate percent of time required to travel: 0% 
• Performs other related duties as assigned. 

Education

• Respiratory Therapy education as required for attainment of credentialling by the National Board for Respiratory Care

Licenses/Certifications

• Current Respiratory Therapy license from the appropriate state licensing body.
• Current Certified, Registered Respiratory Therapist (CRT/RRT) credential or a Respiratory Care `Practitioner Certification in compliance with the National Board for Respiratory Care Credential Maintenance Program (CMP).
• Current BLS and ACLS certifications.

Experience

• 1 year experience preferred.

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