Respiratory Care Practitioner Lead II - Respiratory - Full Time/Nights - Req #2117971544

Brief Description

Job Objective: Under the direction of the Director of Respiratory Care and Respiratory Care Supervisor, with considerable latitude for independent judgment and initiative, performs administrative assignments and supervises day-to-day activities of Respiratory Care Practitioners. Provides skilled respiratory care according to the individual patient's needs and is trained and qualified to function in ICU or ER, preferably trained and qualified to work in NICU.

Lead I Responsibilities -

• Lead Responsibilities
• Assign workloads and workflow during shift
• Assigns work schedules and explains duties
• Oversee therapist performance and serve as a clinical resource and trouble shooter
• Responsible for training personnel within the assigned area of Respiratory Care
• Function as a real-time resource to help assure optimal staff performance and that daily clinical operations are functioning appropriately
• Handles immediate clinical/therapist issues with physicians, nursing, patients or visitors
• Uses Handheld Nebulizer
• Uses Metered Dose Inhaler
• Competence with Continuous Nebulization
• Can use IPPB
• Able to identify different breath sounds, their meaning and recognize changes
• Recognizes accessory muscle use
• Uses Peak Flow Meter to assess efficacy of treatments
• Performs Bedside Pulmonary Function Tests
• Expert in standard 02 delivery devices, their uses and liter flow requirements
• Able to use and set up both heated and cool aerosol therapy
• Able to use and set up High-Flow Nasal cannula
• Understands danger of 02 misuse, especially for CO2 retainers and neonates
• Manages Ventilators on intubated patients
• Obtains Arterial Blood Gases (ABGs) or Capillary Blood Gases (CBGs) and recommends a course of action based on their results
• Places and manages non-invasive ventilation on patients
• Assists with intubations
• Provides Emergency Care.
• Responds to all Code Blues
• Is competent in bag and mask or bag and ET tube ventilation
• Able to work under extreme pressure and stress
• Documents and communicates well
• Therapist must document therapies and evaluations completely and accurately in the patient record whether manually or electronically
• Therapist must be responsible for assuring all actions are reflected in the daily billing by end of shift
• Therapist must ensure all scheduled therapies are entered into the computer accurately
• Must be able to communicate well with other members of the health care team, including doctors, nurses and other therapists

Lead II Responsibilities – In addition to all Lead I responsibilities, the Lead II is also responsible for the following:

• Preparing and balancing department schedules in accordance with union contract guidelines
• Under the direction of the department leadership team, assist with administrative duties related to the operational management of the department

Non-Essential Duties:

• Assists in completing alternate job duties as instructed.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge

• Thorough knowledge of pulmonary disease states, their signs, symptoms and treatments
• Knowledge of and ability to use a wide variety of ventilation strategies to treat patients
• Knowledge of current practice in the care of Geriatrics, Pediatrics and Neonates
• Knowledge of medications used in Respiratory Therapy, their methods of administration, dosages, diseases treated, effects and adverse effects
• Knowledge of pulmonary development in infants and newborns
• Knowledge of pulmonary anatomy in adults and the effects of disease on the pulmonary anatomy
• Demonstrates knowledge regarding the special needs, interests and behaviors of age specific groups.
• Demonstrates knowledge regarding the special needs, interests, and behaviors of patients requiring critical or specialized care.

Skills

• Skill at drawing ABGs and CBGs
• Demonstrated good communication skills.
• Good organizational skills.

Abilities

• Ability to accurately interpret results of ABGs and CBGs and initiate corrective action
• Ability to assemble, test, and place into use all respiratory therapy equipment used at AVMC.
• Ability to think and act quickly in high-pressure situations
• Ability to work in a sterile environment.

AVMC Values: All AVMC employees will effectively demonstrate these values:

• Patients Come First – We listen actively and communicate with our patients and families, placing safety as a top priority.
• Accountability & Ownership – We fully complete tasks, are transparent, effectively communicate, and recognize that what we do reflects on us.
• Teamwork – We build trusting relationships, promote a sense of community, and are respectful of everyone. Success is about the whole team.
• Integrity & Honesty – We tell the truth at all times, speak up when something is wrong, and do the right thing when no one is looking.
• Excellence – We take pride in our work, are goal-oriented, and on a never-ending quest for top tier quality.
• Initiative & Innovation – Our can-do attitudes, creativity, and resourcefulness empower us to improve the patient’s experience, solve our own problems, make timely decisions, and look for opportunities to add value.
• Tenderness & Compassion – We have genuine empathy, show kindness, and encourage and advocate for each other.

Education

• Graduated from school accredited for the education of Respiratory Care Practitioners and recognized by the state of California or the state of the school's location.
• High School diploma or GED equivalent

Experience

• 5-year experience as Respiratory Care Practitioner I and/or II
• 2-year experience as Respiratory Care Practitioner Lead

Required Licensure and/or Certifications:

• Must be licensed with the State of California as a Respiratory Care Practitioner
• Credentialed with the National Board of Respiratory Care as a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) and/or Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).
• Current NRP certification (optional)
• Current PALS certification through the American Heart Association
• Current BCLS certification through the American Heart Association

AVMC Conduct/Compliance Expectations:

• Ability to adhere with AVMC Attendance and Punctuality Policy.
• Ability to adhere with AVMC Leaves of Absence Policy.
• Ability to adhere with AVMC Paid Time Off (PTO) Policy.
• Ability to adhere to the department dress code.
• Ability to organize work and establish priorities.
• Ability to expand on own initiative in performance of duties.
• Skill and ability to follow the telephone etiquette/standards.
• Ability to function effectively under pressure and meet time parameters.
• Ability to communicate effectively while maintaining good working relationships with co-workers, managers and other hospital staff.
• Ability to adhere to the normal standards of courtesy and conduct as defined under the rules of hospitality at AVMC.
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of patients, hospital and department information.
• Ability to adhere to safety rules and regulations.
• Safely and effectively use all the equipment necessary to carry out duties.
• Ability to interpret and function under hospital and department policies and procedures.
• Conforms with required and appropriate accreditation and regulatory requirements.
• Conforms with and supports hospital quality assurance and improvement guidelines.
• Ability to participate effectively in department and hospital staff education.
• Display a willingness to work as a team player.
• Ability to give and support the highest level of patient/customer satisfaction at all times.
• Supports and adheres to the values and mission statement established by the AVMC Board of Directors.
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the Compliance & Integrity Program and its established policies.
• Ability to follow the Code of Conduct.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Frequently moving large ventilators on wheels, which weigh up to 150 pounds, throughout the Medical Center.
• Moving tents and cylinders throughout the Medical Center.
• Working in small or crowded rooms.
• Working in all areas of the Medical Center.
• Walking, stairs, out of doors in all weather conditions.
• Frequently Lifting/Carrying 25-50 pounds and pushing/pulling 36-50 pounds throughout shift.
• Able to use Personal Protection Equipment
• Potential exposure to patient blood or body fluids

A detailed description of the physical requirements of this job is maintained in the Employee Health Department.

NOTE: THE ABOVE STATEMENTS ARE INTENDED TO DESCRIBE THE GENERAL NATURE AND LEVEL OF WORK PERFORMED BY PEOPLE ASSIGNED TO THIS JOB. THIS DOCUMENT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF ALL RESPONSIBILITIES, SKILLS, AND WORKING CONDITIONS FOR THE PERSONNEL SO CLASSIFIED.

Requirements

Education

• Graduated from school accredited for the education of Respiratory Care Practitioners and recognized by the state of California or the state of the school's location.
• High School diploma or GED equivalent

Experience

• 5-year experience as Respiratory Care Practitioner I and/or II
• 2-year experience as Respiratory Care Practitioner Lead

Required Licensure and/or Certifications:

• Must be licensed with the State of California as a Respiratory Care Practitioner
• Credentialed with the National Board of Respiratory Care as a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) and/or Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).
• Current NRP certification (optional)
• Current PALS certification through the American Heart Association
• Current BCLS certification through the American Heart Association