This Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) position, under the supervision of the Supervisor and/or Lead Therapist, is responsible for providing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures as defined by departmental policies and procedures. Responsibilities include general respiratory patient care, emergency care, critical care, patient assessment, blood gas collection and analysis, and ventilator management. This position also requires utilization of advanced practitioner skills to intervene in complex patient care situations.

Responsibilities

• Performs technically adequate therapy in and acceptable amount of time. This includes the ability to meet the basic standards of Respiratory Care within the scope of a licensed RCP.
• Prepares accurate patient charges, maintains meaningful patient records and complete documentation for the patient medical record.
• Exercises sound judgement in relating the physician's order to the actual condition of the patient: Consult with the Lead RCP, RN and/or physician in questionable situations.
• Uses all respiratory equipment properly and performs proper cleaning and routine maintenance on all equipment timely when applicable.
• Performs patient assessment to determine appropriateness of ordered respiratory therapy.
• Perform Arterial Blood Gas procedure.
• Follows all hospital and department policies and procedures.
• Demonstrates consideration and professionalism in working with patient's family members and medical staff.
• Through the use of a standard form the employee will have the opportunity to make recommendations that enhance resource utilization within his or her respective department. Resource utilization will include, finance, inventory reduction, human resources. The employee will identify a problem, detail why it is a problem and make recommendations to resolve.
• Attend, participate in regularly scheduled department staff meetings. Staff may participate by preferably attending the meetings or reviewing and signing the minutes if attendance is prohibitive. 
• Uses personal protective equipment as is appropriate to the task performed.
• Customer Service; Patient Satisfaction as measured by third party. Specific for Respiratory Therapists mean overall score for 12 months.
• Maintain professional standards for clinical practice.

• Minimum Education: Current license as a Respiratory Care Practitioner by the State of California.  (Registered Respiratory Therapist preferred).  Graduate from an AMA approved Respiratory Therapy program and is credentialed by the National Board of Respiratory Therapy. 
• Minimum Experience: Minimum two years experience including clinical experience preferred.  Exhibits self-direction in completing assigned patient care duties efficiently and thoroughly. 
• Required Certification/Registration: Current CPR, NRP, and PALS required. ACLS preferred. NRP may be obtained within 90 days of employment.