The Respiratory Therapist will provide safe and effective respiratory care across all age populations, including initiating, monitoring, and maintaining mechanical ventilation and performing various respiratory care modalities. They will also serve as a resource and educator for patients, caregivers, staff, and students, potentially leading shifts in the supervisor's absence.
Requirements summary
Candidates must satisfy eligibility requirements for the National Board for Respiratory Care, possess a current Virginia Respiratory Therapist license, and hold NBRC registry (RRT/CRT, with CRT hires required to obtain RRT within 6 months if applicable). Basic computer skills and working knowledge of common critical care equipment are also required.
associate degreeManual DexterityEmergency ResponsePatient TeachingSpirometryUniversal PrecautionsIntubationMechanical VentilationCardiopulmonary AssessmentAirway ClearanceBronchoscopy AssistanceCPAPBiPAPBlood Gas SamplingTracheostomyLaryngectomy Tube ChangesShift Team Leader
Job description
To provide safe and effective respiratory care as an advanced Respiratory Therapist for neonate, pediatric, adolescent, adult and/or geriatric populations in accordance with discipline training, Clinical Practice Guidelines, and hospital standards and protocols.
To serve as a respiratory care resource and educator for patients, caregivers, hospital staff and students.
If applicable, functions as a shift team leader in the absence of the supervisor.
Essential Job Statements Initiates, Monitors & Maintains Mechanical Ventilation Performs set-up, monitoring, transport, appropriate alarm setting, teaching, and hand-off for ventilation and support, to include CPAP and BiPAP.
Maintains all ventilator related equipment to ensure safety of ventilator operation.
Therapist utilizes own clinical skill to assess the effects of all ventilator changes ordered.
Respiratory Care Modalities Performs respiratory care assessments, interventions, teaching (patients, families, care givers, students and other healthcare staff), and handoff that may include the following: volume expansion, airway clearance, inhaled medications, airway care to include tracheostomy and laryngectomy tube changes, intubation (if applicable), and medical gas administration.
Therapist utilizes own clinical skill to assess the effects of all therapies ordered and/or performed.
Complies with Laws, Regulations, Policies & Procedures Demonstrates compliance with all local, state and federal laws and regulations, including those related to Medicaid and Medicare; Joint Commission standards; College of American Pathologists; credentialing and licensure requirements and all VCUHS policies and procedures.
Documentation Documents equipment and patient assessments, consultation, clinical notes on ordered therapies, interventions, and the plan of care; documents and charges for services provided.
Maintains accurate records of time worked by utilizing hospital timekeeping system.
Diagnostic Modalities Performs or assists with diagnostic procedures that may include blood gas sampling and analysis, pressure-volume measurements, peak flow measurements, simple spirometry, and bronchoscopy assistance.
Therapist utilizes own clinical skill to assess the quality and reliability of test results performed.
Resource Accountability Demonstrates fiscal responsibility and accountability in use of VCUHS resources.
QI Activities & Continuing Education Participates in QI activities, continuing education, annual recertification, and research opportunities.
Labor & Delivery Assistance (if assigned) Performs labor and delivery assistance that may include oxygenation and ventilatory support.
Therapist utilizes own clinical skill to assess the effects of all interventions ordered and/or performed.
External Critical Care Transports (if assigned) Performs external transports for critically ill neonatal/pediatric patients to include comprehensive equipment and supplies gathering, medical gas administration, and ventilatory support.
Therapist utilizes own clinical skill to assess the effects of all interventions ordered and/or performed.
Shift Team Leader or Resource Therapist Performs shift team leader role in absence of supervisor or performs role of Resource Therapist for assigned shift.
Miscellaneous Responsibilities Performs other duties as assigned and/or participates in special projects in order to support the mission of VCUHS and the Department.
Provides assistance to team members.
Accepts alternate assignments, as required, graciously.
Patient Population Demonstrates knowledge and related competencies of the principles of growth and development of the life span and possesses the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interprets the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to their age, specific needs and to provide the equitable care needed as described in departmental policies and procedures.
Neonates (0-4 weeks) Infant (1-12 months) Pediatrics (1-12 years) Adolescents (13-17 years) Adults (18-64 years) Geriatrics (65 years and older) Employment Qualifications Required Education: Education, training and/or experience that has satisfied the eligibility requirements for the National Board for Respiratory Care (or its predecessor organizations) Combination of education and experience in lieu of a degree will be considered.
Preferred Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Respiratory Therapy from an accredited program Licensure/Certification Required: Licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia as a Respiratory Therapist required.
Current registry from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)/(*CRT) required.
OR A current Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) eligible to sit for the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) exam.
Must pass the NBRC Registry Exam within 6 months of hire date Current CPR certification as required by practice setting. *Hires before 1/1/2015 with a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) certification will be grandfathered into this role.
Licensure/Certification Preferred: Current ACLS/PALS
Minimum Qualifications
Years and Type of Required Experience New graduate or prior work experience as a Registered Respiratory Therapist RRT/ (*CRT). *On or after 1/1/2015, new hires must be current RRT. Those hired prior to 1/1/2015 with CRT will be grandfathered into this role. Other
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Required: Must have basic computer skills. A working knowledge of all common critical care equipment is required. Cardiopulmonary assessment and monitoring, including during emergency response; airway care; selecting appropriate ventilators and non-ordered ventilator parameters; consulting with physicians and interdisciplinary team members regarding the appropriateness of the patient care plan; and maintaining work areas in a clean and well stocked manner. Perform shift team leader role in the supervisor’s absence, if applicable. Depending on work assignment may be required to rotate shifts and work on weekends and holidays. Cultural Responsiveness: Other
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Preferred: Previous affiliation or work experience in a similar practice setting Working Conditions: Periods of high stress and fluctuating workloads may occur. May be exposed to high noise levels and bright lights. May be exposed to limited hazardous substances or body fluids.
May be exposed to human blood and other potentially infectious materials.
May have periods of constant interruptions.
Individuals in this position are required to exercise universal precautions, use personal protective equipment and devices, and learn the policies concerning infection control. Physical Requirements Physical Demands: Lifting/ Carrying (0-50 lbs.), Lifting/ Carrying (50-100 lbs.), Push/ Pull (0-50 lbs.), Push/ Pull (50-100 lbs.), Stoop, Kneel, Squat, Balance, Bending Working Position: Sitting, Walking, Standing Additional Physical Requirements/ Hazards Physical
Requirements
Manual dexterity (eye/hand coordination), Perform shift work, Maneuver weight of patients, Hear alarms/telephone/tape recorder, Reach above shoulder, Repetitive arm/hand movements, Finger Dexterity, Color Vision Hazards: Use of Latex Gloves, Exposure to toxic/caustic/chemicals/detergents, Exposure to moving mechanical parts, Exposure to dust/fumes, Exposure to x ray/electromagnetic energy, Exposure to high pitched noises, Gaseous risk exposure Mental/Sensory – Emotional Mental/Sensory: Strong Recall, Reasoning, Problem Solving, Hearing, Speak Clearly, Write Legibly, Reading, Logical Thinking Emotional: Fast pace environment, Steady Pace, Able to Handle Multiple Priorities, Frequent and Intense Customer Interactions, Noisy Environment, Able to Adapt to Frequent Change Days EEO Employer/Disabled/Protected Veteran Who We Are Inventing better care, day by day by discovery Sound outrageous? It absolutely is. Sound impossible? That’s never stopped us before. Sound like hard work, intense research, collaboration with experts around the world, sheer brainpower meets unrelenting willpower? That’s. Exactly. Right. We’ll do whatever it takes to offer the best in care and empower the best in quality of life. And it’s an approach that works — whether it’s a patient who undergoes a new, life-saving procedure or a clinical researcher who finds promise in a new cancer treatment, exciting new medicine is happening at VCU Health. We have it all:
One college and four health sciences schools
An academic medical center
A Level I trauma center
One of only two NCI-designated cancer centers in Virginia
The region’s only full-service children’s hospital
More than 800 physicians in 200 specialties
With a community health center, dedicated research teams, facilities and valued partners in every field Our medical teams are top notch. And we’re not too shy to boast of internationally known physicians, some recognized as the best in the country, top-ranked local specialists and all-around all-stars at every level. From our very first years to our most recent advancements, we are driven to learn more, dig deeper, teach passionately and never rest in order to be a true leader in discovering what’s possible in health and recovery. We are a comprehensive system of care and a pioneer of health. Read VCU Health Year In Review for more about our accomplishments.
