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Position Summary

The Respiratory Care Practitioner is responsible for providing safe, quality respiratory patient care and teaching patients and families. In accordance with established procedures, the Respiratory Care Practitioner provides diagnostic and therapeutic procedures designed to evaluate, stabilize, prevent or remedy patient cardio-pulmonary problems. This position arranges and operates a variety of therapeutic gas, aerosol and ventilation equipment as well as checks equipment regularly for proper functioning and records data obtained during diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in patient charts. The RCP I responds to emergency situations to administer airway care and resuscitation procedures. Additional responsibilities include collaboration with the health care team, participation in on-going feedback regarding performance improvement, implementation of clinical pathway/plan of care to guide patient care delivery and participation in the education and evaluation of other staff members. This position may directly supervise other employees and students in assigned services.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities of the Job

• Provides care in emergent and non-emergent situations, as well as administers medications and performs therapeutic/diagnostic interventions according to the policies and procedures
• Initiates and manages mechanical ventilation, capnography and pulse oximetry; interprets wave forms and assists physicians with therapeutic and diagnostic bronchoscopies; understands basic chest x-ray interpretations
• Participates in patient/family teaching and patient evaluation/re-evaluation
• Applies infection control policies and procedures consistently including effective hand hygiene and utilizing personal protective equipment
• Uses equipment in the delivery of patient care and decontaminates equipment and supplies within the department according to department policies and procedures
• Participates in department-specific performance improvement projects
• Performs accurate and timely documentation and billing for all interventions in the patient's medical record

Qualifications/Work Experience:

• Graduate of an AMA accredited School for Respiratory Care or equivalent required
• Experience in Pediatric acute care preferred.

• Current CA RCP license required
• RRT (Registered Respiratory Therapist) required
• Current American Heart Association BLS, ACLS and PALS certification required