RRT

WOOSTER COMMUNITY HOSPITAL JOB DESCRIPTION

Advanced level Respiratory Care Professional (RCP)

Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)

MAIN FUNCTION

Provides respiratory care to patients in an efficient, professional, compassionate and caring manner. Directs the activities of paraprofessionals as they provide care. Responsible for assuring effective communication with patients, support persons and member of health care team. Responsible for implementing respiratory care of assigned patients including, but not limited to: patient assessment, evaluation and education, oxygen therapy, aerosol therapy, chest physiotherapy, incentive spirometry, the ability to obtain, test and monitor blood gas samples, monitoring of flows, pressures, volumes and the management of equipment employed for this purpose (i.e. ventilators, etc.), performing cardiopulmonary diagnostic testing such as electro cardiograms, performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation and establishing emergency airways and the management of emergency airways, the routine sterilization and cleaning of equipment, and documentation of the therapies provided. Acts in compliance with hospital, Pulmonary/Neurology Department policies/procedures, the Ohio Respiratory Care Board and the Respiratory Care Practitioner Act.

RESPONSIBLE TO: Pulmonary/Neurology/Sleep Director & Clinical Manager

MUST HAVE REQUIREMENTS

• A graduate of a Respiratory Care Program with an associate or bachelor’s degree
• Credentialed as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) by the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC)
• A valid/current license from the Ohio Medical Board
• BLS certification maintained
• No written disciplinary action within the last 12 months

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS

• Two or more years of clinical respiratory care experience
• NRP certification
• S.T.A.B.L.E program course completion

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Employees in this position may be

• Exposed to blood, body fluids, and/or airborne pathogens and are required to wear personal protective equipment
• Must be able to push, pull, lift, carry, turn, crouch and bend as necessary to complete tasks.
• Required to take “on call” status
• Subject to STHR (short term hours reduction) according to policy

POSITION EXPECTATIONS: All expectations detailed below are considered ADA (American Disabilities Act) Essential.

Leadership

• Embraces teamwork by adhering to standards of service excellence
• Accepts and responds to change productively while maintaining a positive attitude
• Role models professional respiratory practice and behavior
• Functions in a professional and thoughtful manner taking charge role assignments on occasion.
• Decision making and priority setting skills
• Time management and effective use of resources
• Appropriate delegation skills
• Conflict resolution skills
• Professional communication that fosters a calm and orderly environment

Communication

• Maintains awareness of verbal/nonverbal communication in interactions with staff, other departments, physicians, patients and families
• Maintains patient confidentiality in all communication interactions: written, verbal, electronic and digital
• Communicates effectively with all members of the health care team
• Reports critical information to physicians and others as indicated
• Properly utilizes chain of command to handle issues
• Facilitates communication between staff members, i.e. alerts nursing of changes in patient’s status
• Demonstrates basic ability to initiate and manage crucial conversations
• Utilizes proven methods to foster positive communication
• Communicates all pertinent information regarding patients and their families care needs to other departmental/hospital staff as reasonable and necessary (ex: report)
• Interacts with clinical students in positive, productive manner

Operations

• Maintains appropriate clinical skills
• Administers care according to WCH and Pulmonary/Neurology Policy/Procedure, current standards of care and Ohio Respiratory Care Board and the Respiratory Care Practitioner Act and the AARC Practice guidelines
• Work habits are consistently adjusted to accommodate the needs of the department and are prioritized and completed in an independent and timely manner. Effectively utilizes time management and organizational skills.
• Performs assessments/reassessments and documentation to patient’s condition, needs and age, per Respiratory and Nursing documentation guidelines.
• Communicates changes in patient’s condition to the treating physician in a timely manner and suggests possible interventions and course of care as appropriate in a collaborative manner
• Initiates, evaluates and reviews plan of care
• Provides age appropriate teaching related to diagnosis, identifies patient/family needs and medications using available resources and assuring patient/family understanding by teach back.
• Evaluates for any additional/alternative care needs and patient/family satisfaction
• Administers medication safely:
• Correctly demonstrates use of CPOE (Computer Physician Order Entry)
• Demonstrates knowledge of drug purpose and effectiveness as related to diagnosis
• Follows 6 rights of medication administration
• Demonstrates appropriate/safe medication handling/administration
• Reassesses and documents effectiveness of medications
• Evaluates the environment to assure safety and infection control standards are met
• Evaluates the care provided to assure it is based on practice standards and evidence-based practice
• Evaluates the educational plan and its implementation while assessing for and addressing gaps in care
• Coordinates work to achieve maximum productivity. Able to multitask and prioritize workload. Work habits are consistently adjusted to accommodate multiple responsibilities and are prioritized and completed in a timely manner
• Demonstrates reasonable and rational judgment in decision making

Customer Service

• Displays positive attitude. Treats others with honesty and respect. Speaks positively in all customer interactions both internally and externally.
• Uses evidence-based methods to optimize the patient’s experience by reducing the patient and family’s anxiety and increase patient compliance.
• Develops positive relationships with other departments to foster patent satisfaction.
• Uses face to face resolutions (crucial conversations) to interact with patients and staff in situations where a customer’s needs have not been met to determine a positive, mutually agreeable resolution.

Staff Development/ Personal Growth

In conjunction with Department Director & Manager

• Demonstrates initiative and responsibility to develop personal, leadership and professional goals
• Functions as a preceptor seeking learning opportunities for orientee. Interacts with department director, manager, and charge staff to evaluate orientee progress towards goals and identifying needs.
• Demonstrates professional development by attending conferences, participating in committees/unit projects and ongoing educational activities and maintaining awareness of changes in practices/evidence-based care
• Sets goals to cross-train in other areas respiratory therapists are utilized (i.e. cardiac stress testing, PFT, pulmonary rehabilitation, nerve conductions, EEG, SDS)
• Demonstrates professional growth by maintaining awareness of changes in respiratory practices/evidence based respiratory care
• Accepts feedback as an opportunity for growth
• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of new policies and procedures, practices, and or changes in practices and initiatives. Obtains this knowledge via staff meeting attendance, reading of communication, required hospital and department continuing education, and discussions with departmental leadership and peers.

Performance Improvement

• Identifies processes to be improved and communicates them to the management team. Assists in data collection as directed
• Participates or collaborates on a project, team and or a committee, department or hospital based, as directed by the management team
• Develops and maintains awareness of DNV, CMS, NIAHO, CAP and any other required quality and safety measures
• Develops and maintains ongoing understanding of current practices for the type of patents for whom care is directly provided

AGE SPECIFIC COMPETENCY

Dependent upon department and the population served

Neonatal ( Birth thru 28 days)

• Handles infants in gentle manner
• Speaks in soothing voice
• Holds and cuddles infant when necessary
• Facilitates parental interaction and care of infant

Infant (29 days thru 12 months)

• Approaches infant in slow, non-threatening way
• Speaks in soothing way
• Holds and cuddles infant as much as possible
• Encourages parental interaction with infant
• Allows for familiar toys/blankets to be brought from home

Pediatrics (one year thru 11 years)

• Allows choices when possible
• Speaks directly using few, clear, simple terms and explanations
• Limits number of strangers entering room
• Provides consistent care
• Does not shame patient for lack of cooperation
• Holds child for painful procedures

Adolescents (12 years thru 18 years)

• Allows participation in care and choices as appropriate
• Provides for patient’s modesty
• Tells patient exactly what will be expected
• Allows patient control
• Speaks directly to patient in simple medical terms

Geriatrics (65 years and older)

• Identifies physical/social/emotional barriers and physical limitations and treats patient with dignity and respect
• Teaches patient about one item at a time and speaks directly to patient in simple medical terms
• Repeats instructions several times
• Speaks slowly and distinctly when talking to the patient
• Provides for patient’s modesty
• Tells patient what will be expected
• Allows patient control

______________________________________________________________________________ Rev: 12/10/2024

Approved: TMMYERS