Under the Clinical Supervision of the Medical Director of Respiratory Care and the overall supervision of the Manager of Respiratory Care and Respiratory Care Supervisor the Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) provides safe, expedient, cost-effective Respiratory Care services. As a member of a team of health care professionals, an RCP evaluates, treats and manages patients of all ages with respiratory illnesses and other cardiopulmonary disorders in a wide variety of clinical settings. Respiratory Care Practitioners behave in a manner consistent with the standards and ethics of all health care professionals. In addition to performing respiratory care procedures, RCP's are involved in clinical decision-making (such as patient assessment, treatment selection and reassessment of treatment efficacy), goal directed respiratory care planning and patient education. RCP's are required to document in the patient medical record factual, accurate, complete, timely, legible and legal information about the care they provide to each patient. Each RCP is responsible for billing the patient correctly for the services provided.

Principal Duties and Key Responsibilities: Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide service appropriate to the age of the patient. Assess the appropriateness of prescribed respiratory care by acquiring and evaluating clinical data and assessing the cardiopulmonary/overall status of the patient based on the age of the patient. Initiates a respiratory care plan upon admission to Respiratory Services identifying primary respiratory problem, goals and interventions. Updates care plan at least once per shift relative to the progress toward the goal. Initiates respiratory care, evaluating and monitoring patients' responses to such care, modifying the prescribed respiratory therapy and cardiopulmonary procedures and life support endeavors to achieve desired therapeutic objectives. Provides/records all patient and family education in patient medical record. Participates in life-support activities as required, responds to Trauma, High Risk Deliveries, and Code Blue emergencies throughout the hospital. Provides therapeutic interventions with oxygen therapy, aerosol therapy, airway care, lung expansion, bronchial hygiene, invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation. Provides/assesses information from respiratory parameter studies, peak flow measurements, pulse oximetry monitoring, ABG/VBG/CBG results, capnography, pulmonary mechanics/graphics monitors, hemodynamic monitoring, cardiac output monitoring. Uses universal precautions appropriately and performs proper handwashing between each patient. Maintains confidentiality of patient information. Uses department scripts to effectively communicate with other departments, patients, families, coworkers and students in person or over the phone. Demonstrates safe operation of all equipment in compliance with department policy, safety, disinfection, infection control and quality control standards. As directed by the supervisor may have additional responsibility as charge therapist and/or preceptor for students and/or new employees. Demonstrates effective computer skills for electronic charting, billing and respiratory order processing. Learns/uses Respiratory Red Rules and Patient Safety Behaviors to provide safe patient care. Participates in Inservice Education, Patient Rounds/Conferences and maintains 24 hours continuing education credits/year. Monitors, provides oxygen and airway support to patients receiving ICD changes.

Associate degree in Respiratory Therapy required. Active licensure with the North Carolina Respiratory Care Board required. Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) or Registry Eligible with RRT credential obtained within 12 months from hire date or registry eligibility status required. Current BLS, if not current at time of hire, must complete within first 6 months of employment and maintain. Advanced Life support certification, if not current at time of hire, must complete and maintain within first 12 months of employment. Active status with NBRC recommended.

Regular full-time (.90 FTE) 36 hours/week, hours to be determined

It is the goal of Vidant Health and its entities to employ the most qualified individual who best matches the requirements for the vacant position.

Offers of employment are subject to successful completion of all pre-employment screenings, which may include an occupational health screening, criminal record check, education, reference, and licensure verification.

Vidant Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. EOE/AA Applications for Vidant Health and its subsidiary corporate entities are accepted and employees are chosen for employment without regard to race, color, gender, religion, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, veteran status, or disability.