Respiratory Therapist II

LOCATION : KONA COMMUNITY HOSPITAL | Respiratory Therapy

POSITION STATUS : 0.90 | Permanent

SALARY RANGE : BU13 | SR18

SALARY RATE: $56,700 (Annual Salary) based on the Full Time Employment

JOB DUTIES :

A. Patient Care Duties

• Life Support Systems: Initiate, monitor and maintain volume and pressure cycled respiration units for patients requiring continuous ventilation as a life support measure as determined by a physician. Such work includes emergency intubation; initial setting of ventilator controls; performing arterial punctures; evaluating laboratory results and making ventilator adjustments to maintain arterial blood gases within normal limits; and consulting with physicians to determine the mode of therapy to be used (e.g., Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation (IMV), Intermittent Demand Ventilation (IDV), Positive End Expiratory Pressure (PEEP), Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), and Bi Directional Positive Airway Pressure (BIPAP). Consult with physician regarding proper method and scheduling of weaning patients off respirators; provide continuous airway management and maintenance to include establishment (placement of an oral or nasal endotracheal tube), securing tube and maintaining proper pilot balloon pressures, suctioning of secretions when necessary, changing of tracheostomy tubes and endotracheal tubes on a regular basis and removing same when no longer needed.
• Participate in administering and initiating cardiopulmonary resuscitation as part of the resuscitation team which includes airway maintenance and/or establishment with an endotracheal tube, manual ventilation via mouth to mouth, ambu-bag and mask or bag to tube; perform arterial punctures for blood gas analysis; ventilate patients during transfer to Intensive Care Unit and initiate mechanical ventilation when indicated.
• Provide consultation and patient evaluations: Assess and evaluate patients with respiratory disorders as requested by the primary physician, i.e., clinical status, history, laboratory results, chest X-rays, vital signs, etc. Use the principles of growth and development to assess each patient’s age-specific needs. Recommend methods of treatment, i.e., mode of therapy, medications, type of equipment, duration and frequency of treatments, additional lab work, pulmonary function studies, etc., directly to physician.
• Administer treatments: Provide age-specific treatment and care. Communicate and interact with patients and families in a positive and courteous manner. Read prescriptions prepared by physicians to determine requirements for treatment ordered, such as type and duration of therapy, medications and dosages ordered; is familiar with and has a working knowledge of all medications used, to include proper dosage, actions, precautions necessary, and expected side effects, if any. Determine most suitable method of administering treatments, precautions to be observed, and modifications to work procedures which may be necessary. Examine patients' charts to determine diagnosis, physical conditions, chest x-ray report, medical history, vital signs and to determine if any condition exists which may contra-indicate the type of treatment ordered. If a contra-indication exists, contact, confer with and advise physician concerning treatment modality. Gather materials and equipment required for therapy and transport to patient's bedside. Confer with patient when possible, explain treatment to allay fears and anxieties associated with equipment and procedure and to elicit cooperation during therapy. Prepare medication ordered, insert into micro nebulizer and proceed with treatment; observe patient and adjust machine controls to elicit most beneficial results; monitor patients' tidal volume, pulse rate and breath sounds during treatment; chart results on treatment record. Note any adverse reactions and report same to nursing personnel and if necessary, the attending physician. Perform chest physiotherapy treatments to include postural drainage, percussion and vibration; review chest x-ray reports to determine area affected and position patient to facilitate drainage; chart results of treatment in patient's treatment record; observe patient closely during treatment for any adverse reactions, i.e., dyspnea, cyanosis, etc., and position accordingly.
• Pulmonary Function Testing: Operate pulmonary function testing equipment to obtain data relative to patient's respiratory process to include vital capacity, forced vital capacity and maximum inspiratory flow rate and all expiratory flow rates. Provide all results for use by physician in diagnosing and treating respiratory disorders. Use simple screening devices to screen patients for early indication of respiratory disorders and pre-op screening.
• Pulse Oximetry: Operate pulse oximetry monitors for spot checking SP02. Able to identify stable wave forms to insure reliable results. Basic maintenance of equipment as necessary.
• Patient Education: Able to instruct patient and family on treatments provided by Respiratory Therapy in accordance with the hospital patient/family education policies and procedures.
• Provide initial instruction to outpatients at the hospital or in the home (re: aerosol treatment, breathing exercises, and postural drainage exercises).
• Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation: This is a service that involves extensive patient teaching concerning disease processes, instructing the patient to do peak flows, monitor medications, ABG interpretation, and exercises for oxygen conservation.

B. Other Duties

• Maintains professional and cordial relations with patients, staff members, medical staff, etc.
• Adhere to safety/infection control policies and procedures. Report unsafe equipment.

THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS ARE: Applicants must meet all of the following requirements. Please note that unless specifically indicated; the required education and experiences may not be gained concurrently. In addition, qualifying work experiences are based on a 40-hour work week.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: Applicants must have a baccalaureate degree in respiratory therapy from a school of respiratory therapy approved at the time of graduation by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) or the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT: Applicants must have progressively responsible work experience of the types and quantities described below:

• RESPIRATORY THERAPY EXPERIENCE: One (1) year of experience required. Professional experience as a Respiratory Therapist under medical supervision. The experience must have equipped the applicant with a full professional understanding of the evaluation, test, and treatment of respiratory therapy problems and the ability to develop and modify individual patient care plans. For level III, at least one year of experience must have been comparable to the next lower level in this series.

LICENSE REQUIRED: A valid license with the State of Hawaii as a Respiratory Therapist at the time of appointment.

SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED: An associate degree in respiratory therapy from a program approved at the time of graduation by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) or the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and two (2) years of professional experience as a Respiratory Therapist under medical supervision may substitute for a baccalaureate degree in respiratory therapy. Excess work experience as described under the Experience Requirement which provided knowledge, skills and abilities comparable to those acquired in four (4) years of successful study while completing a college or university curriculum leading to a baccalaureate degree in Respiratory Therapy may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

• KNOWLEDGE OF: In addition to knowledge listed under the II level, this class requires current treatment techniques including use and modifications of appropriate therapy equipment.
• ABILITY TO: In addition to the abilities listed under the II level, this class requires the ability to independently apply principles, methods and techniques of respiratory therapy; instruct patients and others in the application of respiratory therapy procedures; and supervise lower level respiratory therapy personnel.

ALL CIVIL SERVICE JOB VACANCIES WILL BE POSTED FOR A MINIMUM OF TEN (10) CALENDAR DAYS

The Hawaii Health Systems Corporation is an equal opportunity employer and complies with applicable state and federal laws relating to employment practices

QUALITY OF EXPERIENCE: Possession of the required amount of experience will not in itself be accepted as proof of qualification for the position. Overall paid or unpaid experience must have been of such scope and responsibility as to conclusively demonstrate that you have the ability to perform the duties of this position. Provide a detailed description of your duties and responsibilities. If you worked on a part-time basis, indicate the average number of hours worked per week. Please note that experience will be based on a 40-hour workweek. Note: We will not postpone the recruitment process because of your failure to provide accurate and complete information concerning your qualifications.

MERIT OR CIVIL SERVICE SYSTEM: You must meet the minimum qualification requirements, including education, experience, other public employment requirements for State Civil Service employment, and HHSC Standards of Fitness. Only those applicants that are scheduled for an interview with the hiring manager will be contacted.

CITIZENSHIP AND RESIDENCE REQUIREMENT: Applicants must be a citizen, national or permanent resident alien of the United States or a non-citizen eligible under the federal law for unrestricted employment and at the time of appointment intend to reside in the State of Hawaii during the course of employment with the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation.

VETERAN’S PREFERENCE: If you are claiming Veteran’s Preference, you must submit a copy of your DD214 and/or other substantiating documents specifying the periods of your service.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must meet the health and physical requirements deemed necessary to effectively and safely perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. Hawaii Health Systems Corporation is committed to making reasonable accommodations on a case-by-case basis. Applicants seeking reasonable accommodations should be ready to discuss the accommodation sought so that a determination can be made that such accommodation is reasonable and would not cause the employer undue hardship.

MEDICAL/PHYSICAL EXAMINATION REQUIREMENT: Offers of employment will be contingent on successfully passing a pre-employment physical examination, which includes drug screen and other regulatory medical requirements such as, but not limited to, two-step tuberculosis (TB) screen. The cost for physical examinations, except the cost for drug screening, shall be borne by the applicant and not the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation.

CRIMINAL/BACKGROUND, CREDENTIALING CHECKS: Applicable checks will be conducted periodically, and any associated costs may be borne by the applicant. Applicable checks may include, but are not limited to, state and federal criminal history records, child abuse and neglect registry check, adult protective services registry and sex offender registry records, etc. If a job offer is made or employment is begun prior to completion of all applicable checks, any offer of employment or continued employment is contingent upon satisfactory return of all required checks.