at NorthShore University Health System in Arlington Heights, Illinois, United States
Job Description
Reporting to the Manager of Respiratory Care, plans and provides competency-based educational programs and acts as a clinical resource for staff and patients on all aspects of respiratory care; serves as the specialty area expert in respiratory care services. Performs as a Respiratory Care Practitioner, teaches and guides all forms of respiratory therapy, chest physical therapy, and cardiopulmonary diagnostics. Coordinates Quality Improvement (QI) activities within department; provides education based on process improvement. Develops and updates policies and procedures.
II. REPRESENTATIVE FUNCTIONS:
Serves as a specialty area expert to staff and patients for respiratory care services; provides direction for services in collaboration with multidisciplinary caregivers. Oversees respiratory care policy and procedure development related to the respiratory patient care; plans and implements educational programs and based on policies and procedures to ensure compliance.
Serves as expert clinical resource for Respiratory Care staff for all aspects of Respiratory Care services. Maintains awareness of regulatory guidelines, new standards of care, medical products, equipment and technology. Develops competency testing and educational programs accordingly.
Administers all forms of respiratory therapy including medical gases, medication delivery via the airways, chest physical therapy, pressure breathing treatments, breathing retraining, aerosol and humidity therapy. Understands the equipment, indications, contraindications, hazards, and adverse reactions of each mode of therapy.
Provides intensive respiratory care utilizing advanced techniques and specialized equipment; establishes and maintains an airway during CPR; performs external cardiac massage if necessary.
Performs arterial punctures to obtain blood gas samples, blood gas analysis, and related calculations; performs blood gas lab quality control.
Explains purpose and procedure of treatments, tests, and equipment to patient, family, and hospital personnel; develops and delivers home care instructions to patients. Performs patient assessment and evaluation of care; confers with nurses and physicians to optimize the care of the patient. Initiates and maintains the appropriate records in the patient chart and on respiratory care records.
Plans and conducts competency-based education programs in relation to individual staff needs and/or process improvement activities. Assesses ongoing educational needs of staff to plan education programs for the year. Assists in development of specific competencies to be tested annually and tests employees as required.
Coordinates and evaluates orientation of new employees, documents progress of orientation, and provides feedback throughout the orientation period. Makes recommendations for individual education plans, clinical experiences, skill testing, advanced certifications and regulatory requirements.
Collaborates with the manager and the team to identify QI focus and criteria. Collects and analyzes monthly QI data; develops action plans to resolve problems. Incorporates research techniques and data analysis into education planning. Works closely with physicians and nursing staff to improve services; initiates protocols and monitors quality with a focus on general adult and critical care services.
Performs all duties of a Respiratory Care Practitioner as required. Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to assess and treat all age groups of patients from neonatal to geriatric; implements assessment/treatment based on the developmental stages of the patient. Involves family/guardian in plan of care and conducts patient family education, as appropriate, considering the developmental needs of the patient.
Adheres to all Northwest Community Hospital standards, policies, and procedures.
III. SPECIAL SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:
Organizational and time management skills necessary to effectively coordinate and prioritize multiple projects.
Written and verbal communication skills necessary to interact effectively with patients, physicians and various levels of staff and to develop and teach educational programs.
Ability to understand the relevance and impact of documentation guidelines to ensure compliance with departmental and regulatory standards.
Computer skills necessary to effectively educate staff and perform quality analysis.
IV. KNOWLEDGE, PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE AND LICENSURE/REGISTRATION REQUIRED:
Bachelor's Degree in a related field required.
Current Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) certification required.
Minimum three years' experience in respiratory therapy required.
Advanced knowledge of acid-base balance, blood gas analysis and interpretation, and cardiopulmonary... For full info follow application link.
EOE: Race/Color/Sex/Sexual Orientation/ Gender Identity/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Vets, VEVRRA Federal Contractor.
